- A
Migrate the application to Compute Engine with SQL Server on Windows VMs. Use Cloud SQL for SQL Server but keep the database on-premises for compliance.
Why wrong: Keeping database on-premises defeats the purpose of using managed services.
- B
Lift and shift the application to Compute Engine with SQL Server on Windows VMs. Use Cloud SQL for SQL Server with encryption enabled, and configure Active Directory via Managed Microsoft AD.
Minimizes code changes, uses managed database and AD, and provides encryption.
- C
Containerize the application and deploy on GKE with SQL Server in a container. Use Cloud SQL for SQL Server with encryption.
Why wrong: Containerization requires code changes and SQL Server containers are complex.
- D
Migrate the application to Compute Engine instances with SQL Server on Windows VMs. Use Cloud VPN for connectivity. Enable encryption on the VMs and use SSL for SQL connections.
Why wrong: Has higher operational overhead; does not use Cloud SQL managed service.
Cloud Digital Leader Practice Question: Google Cloud products, services, and solutions
This GCDL practice question tests your understanding of google cloud products, services, and solutions. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A financial services company is migrating a legacy monolithic application to Google Cloud. The application uses a SQL Server database and has compliance requirements to encrypt data at rest and in transit. The migration must minimize code changes. The application runs on Windows Server and currently uses Active Directory for authentication. The company wants to use Google Cloud's managed services where possible. Which approach best meets these requirements?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Lift and shift the application to Compute Engine with SQL Server on Windows VMs. Use Cloud SQL for SQL Server with encryption enabled, and configure Active Directory via Managed Microsoft AD.
Option B is correct because it uses Compute Engine (minimal code changes) with Cloud SQL for SQL Server (managed encryption at rest and in transit) and Managed Microsoft AD (integrates with existing AD). Option A is incorrect because it uses SQL Server on VMs (more operational overhead) and does not fully leverage managed services; Cloud VPN is for connectivity, not encryption. Option C is incorrect because containerizing SQL Server is complex and requires code changes. Option D is incorrect because keeping the database on-premises does not meet the goal of using managed services.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Migrate the application to Compute Engine with SQL Server on Windows VMs. Use Cloud SQL for SQL Server but keep the database on-premises for compliance.
Why it's wrong here
Keeping database on-premises defeats the purpose of using managed services.
- ✓
Lift and shift the application to Compute Engine with SQL Server on Windows VMs. Use Cloud SQL for SQL Server with encryption enabled, and configure Active Directory via Managed Microsoft AD.
Why this is correct
Minimizes code changes, uses managed database and AD, and provides encryption.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Containerize the application and deploy on GKE with SQL Server in a container. Use Cloud SQL for SQL Server with encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Containerization requires code changes and SQL Server containers are complex.
- ✗
Migrate the application to Compute Engine instances with SQL Server on Windows VMs. Use Cloud VPN for connectivity. Enable encryption on the VMs and use SSL for SQL connections.
Why it's wrong here
Has higher operational overhead; does not use Cloud SQL managed service.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which GCDL exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Google Cloud products, services, and solutions — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this GCDL question test?
Google Cloud products, services, and solutions — This question tests Google Cloud products, services, and solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Lift and shift the application to Compute Engine with SQL Server on Windows VMs. Use Cloud SQL for SQL Server with encryption enabled, and configure Active Directory via Managed Microsoft AD. — Option B is correct because it uses Compute Engine (minimal code changes) with Cloud SQL for SQL Server (managed encryption at rest and in transit) and Managed Microsoft AD (integrates with existing AD). Option A is incorrect because it uses SQL Server on VMs (more operational overhead) and does not fully leverage managed services; Cloud VPN is for connectivity, not encryption. Option C is incorrect because containerizing SQL Server is complex and requires code changes. Option D is incorrect because keeping the database on-premises does not meet the goal of using managed services.
What should I do if I get this GCDL question wrong?
Identify which GCDL exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best", "minimum / minimize". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 23, 2026
This GCDL practice question is part of Courseiva's free Google Cloud certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the GCDL exam.
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