- A
Cloud Storage bucket replication, by continuously copying the database files to a storage bucket
Why wrong: Replication of database files at the storage layer while the database is running would capture inconsistent data (database files are modified in-place during operation). Proper database backup requires either application-consistent snapshots or database-level backup tools.
- B
Persistent Disk Snapshots, which capture the disk state at a point in time and enable restoration or creation of new disks from that snapshot
Persistent Disk Snapshots are the correct mechanism. They capture a consistent point-in-time image of the disk (application-consistent when used with snapshot agent or after flushing I/O). Snapshots are stored in Cloud Storage, incremental after the first snapshot, and can be used to create a new disk or restore data.
- C
Cloud SQL automated backups, which protect databases running on Compute Engine VMs
Why wrong: Cloud SQL automated backups protect Cloud SQL managed databases. A PostgreSQL or MySQL database running on a Compute Engine VM is not managed by Cloud SQL and doesn't benefit from Cloud SQL's backup mechanism.
- D
VM live migration, which moves the running VM between physical hosts, automatically creating a backup in the process
Why wrong: Live migration moves a VM between physical hosts for maintenance purposes without downtime. It doesn't create disk backups or snapshots.
Quick Answer
The answer is Persistent Disk Snapshots, which provide point-in-time backup for Persistent Disks by capturing the exact state of the disk’s data and configuration at a specific moment. This allows you to restore the disk or create new disks from that snapshot, making it the native and recommended method for backup and disaster recovery of Compute Engine VM disks. On the Google Cloud Digital Leader exam, this question tests your understanding of core storage management features, often appearing in scenarios involving data corruption or accidental deletion. A common trap is confusing snapshots with images—snapshots are incremental and tied to a specific disk’s state, while images are used for boot disk templates. Remember the memory tip: “Snapshots save the state; images imitate the system.”
Cloud Digital Leader Scaling with Google Cloud operations Practice Question
This GCDL practice question tests your understanding of scaling with google cloud operations. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 company's production database is running on a Compute Engine VM with a 500 GB Persistent Disk. The operations team wants to create a backup they can restore from in case of data corruption or accidental deletion. Which Google Cloud capability provides point-in-time backup for Persistent Disks?
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
Persistent Disk Snapshots, which capture the disk state at a point in time and enable restoration or creation of new disks from that snapshot
Persistent Disk Snapshots are the correct Google Cloud feature for creating point-in-time backups of Persistent Disks. They capture the disk's data and configuration at a specific moment, allowing you to restore the disk or create new disks from that snapshot. This is the native, recommended method for backup and disaster recovery of Compute Engine VM disks.
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.
- ✗
Cloud Storage bucket replication, by continuously copying the database files to a storage bucket
Why it's wrong here
Replication of database files at the storage layer while the database is running would capture inconsistent data (database files are modified in-place during operation). Proper database backup requires either application-consistent snapshots or database-level backup tools.
- ✓
Persistent Disk Snapshots, which capture the disk state at a point in time and enable restoration or creation of new disks from that snapshot
Why this is correct
Persistent Disk Snapshots are the correct mechanism. They capture a consistent point-in-time image of the disk (application-consistent when used with snapshot agent or after flushing I/O). Snapshots are stored in Cloud Storage, incremental after the first snapshot, and can be used to create a new disk or restore data.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Cloud SQL automated backups, which protect databases running on Compute Engine VMs
Why it's wrong here
Cloud SQL automated backups protect Cloud SQL managed databases. A PostgreSQL or MySQL database running on a Compute Engine VM is not managed by Cloud SQL and doesn't benefit from Cloud SQL's backup mechanism.
- ✗
VM live migration, which moves the running VM between physical hosts, automatically creating a backup in the process
Why it's wrong here
Live migration moves a VM between physical hosts for maintenance purposes without downtime. It doesn't create disk backups or snapshots.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse Cloud SQL backups (which are for managed databases) with the need to back up a database running on a Compute Engine VM, leading them to select option C instead of the correct Persistent Disk Snapshots.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Persistent Disk Snapshots use incremental snapshots, meaning only the blocks that have changed since the last snapshot are saved, making them storage-efficient and fast. Snapshots can be taken while the disk is attached to a running VM, but for database consistency, it is best practice to quiesce the database or use a crash-consistent snapshot. Snapshots are stored in Cloud Storage, but you do not manage the underlying bucket; they are automatically replicated for durability.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this GCDL question test?
Scaling with Google Cloud operations — This question tests Scaling with Google Cloud operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Persistent Disk Snapshots, which capture the disk state at a point in time and enable restoration or creation of new disks from that snapshot — Persistent Disk Snapshots are the correct Google Cloud feature for creating point-in-time backups of Persistent Disks. They capture the disk's data and configuration at a specific moment, allowing you to restore the disk or create new disks from that snapshot. This is the native, recommended method for backup and disaster recovery of Compute Engine VM disks.
What should I do if I get this GCDL question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on GCDL
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Drag and drop the steps to recover a Compute Engine VM from a snapshot in the correct order.
mediumWhy : The recovery process involves using the snapshot to create a disk, detaching the old boot disk, attaching the new one, and starting the VM.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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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