- A
Create an instance template for the application and store it in Cloud Storage.
Why wrong: Instance templates provide configuration but not the data; they are part of a recovery plan but not sufficient for data.
- B
Take hourly persistent disk snapshots and store them in the same region.
Why wrong: Snapshots in the same region are vulnerable to regional failures and do not provide DR.
- C
Configure PostgreSQL replication to a standby instance in another region.
Database replication ensures minimal data loss and fast failover, meeting RPO and RTO.
- D
Use Cloud Storage to store database backups and transfer them to a different region daily.
Why wrong: Daily transfers exceed the 1-hour RPO.
- E
Use snapshot replication to copy persistent disk snapshots to another region.
Snapshot replication provides cross-region backup with adjustable frequency to meet RPO.
Quick Answer
The answer is to use snapshot replication to copy persistent disk snapshots to another region, combined with PostgreSQL replication to a standby instance in that same remote region. This dual approach directly meets the 1-hour RPO and 4-hour RTO because PostgreSQL streaming replication provides near-real-time data synchronization, keeping data loss minimal, while the cross-region standby can be promoted quickly to a primary role within the RTO window. On the Google Professional Cloud Architect exam, this scenario tests your understanding of balancing database-level replication for low RPO with infrastructure-level snapshots for full recovery, a common pattern for cross-region resilience. A frequent trap is choosing only one method—snapshots alone fail the RPO due to scheduling gaps, and replication alone may miss disk-level consistency for attached files. Memory tip: think “DB for RPO, disk for RTO”—database replication handles the point of recovery, while snapshots ensure the full system can be restored in time.
Google PCA Manage implementation of cloud architecture Practice Question
This PCA practice question tests your understanding of manage implementation of cloud architecture. 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 company is designing a disaster recovery plan for a critical application running on Compute Engine. The application uses a PostgreSQL database and stores files on persistent disks. The recovery time objective (RTO) is 4 hours, and the recovery point objective (RPO) is 1 hour. Which two actions should the company take?
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
Configure PostgreSQL replication to a standby instance in another region.
Option C is correct because PostgreSQL replication to a standby instance in another region meets both the RPO of 1 hour (near-real-time replication keeps data loss minimal) and the RTO of 4 hours (a standby can be promoted quickly). This is a standard disaster recovery pattern for cross-region resilience, ensuring that database changes are continuously replicated with minimal lag.
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.
- ✗
Create an instance template for the application and store it in Cloud Storage.
Why it's wrong here
Instance templates provide configuration but not the data; they are part of a recovery plan but not sufficient for data.
- ✗
Take hourly persistent disk snapshots and store them in the same region.
Why it's wrong here
Snapshots in the same region are vulnerable to regional failures and do not provide DR.
- ✓
Configure PostgreSQL replication to a standby instance in another region.
Why this is correct
Database replication ensures minimal data loss and fast failover, meeting RPO and RTO.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use Cloud Storage to store database backups and transfer them to a different region daily.
Why it's wrong here
Daily transfers exceed the 1-hour RPO.
- ✓
Use snapshot replication to copy persistent disk snapshots to another region.
Why this is correct
Snapshot replication provides cross-region backup with adjustable frequency to meet RPO.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the distinction between snapshot replication (which provides crash-consistent, point-in-time copies) and database-native replication (which provides transaction-consistent, near-real-time copies), leading candidates to choose snapshot replication for RPOs under 1 hour when database replication is actually required.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
PostgreSQL streaming replication uses a continuous WAL (Write-Ahead Log) shipping mechanism, where the primary sends WAL segments to a standby in near real-time, typically achieving sub-second to minute-level RPO. In a cross-region setup, latency and bandwidth must be considered; Google Cloud recommends using a dedicated interconnect or VPN with sufficient throughput to keep replication lag under the RPO. The standby can be promoted using pg_ctl promote or a managed service like Cloud SQL's cross-region replica, which typically completes within minutes, well within the 4-hour RTO.
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.
- →
Manage implementation of cloud architecture — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Manage implementation of cloud architecture practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All PCA questions
509 questions across all exam domains
- →
Google Professional Cloud Architect study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
PCA practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related PCA practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Design and plan a cloud solution architecture practice questions
Practise PCA questions linked to Design and plan a cloud solution architecture.
Manage and provision cloud infrastructure practice questions
Practise PCA questions linked to Manage and provision cloud infrastructure.
Design for security and compliance practice questions
Practise PCA questions linked to Design for security and compliance.
Analyze and optimize technical and business processes practice questions
Practise PCA questions linked to Analyze and optimize technical and business processes.
Manage implementation of cloud architecture practice questions
Practise PCA questions linked to Manage implementation of cloud architecture.
Ensure solution and operations reliability practice questions
Practise PCA questions linked to Ensure solution and operations reliability.
PCA fundamentals practice questions
Practise PCA questions linked to PCA fundamentals.
PCA scenario practice questions
Practise PCA questions linked to PCA scenario.
PCA troubleshooting practice questions
Practise PCA questions linked to PCA troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free PCA practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCA question test?
Manage implementation of cloud architecture — This question tests Manage implementation of cloud architecture — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure PostgreSQL replication to a standby instance in another region. — Option C is correct because PostgreSQL replication to a standby instance in another region meets both the RPO of 1 hour (near-real-time replication keeps data loss minimal) and the RTO of 4 hours (a standby can be promoted quickly). This is a standard disaster recovery pattern for cross-region resilience, ensuring that database changes are continuously replicated with minimal lag.
What should I do if I get this PCA 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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This PCA 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 PCA exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.