- A
Configure Cloud SQL with a public IP and use Cloud SQL Proxy in the Cloud Run service
Why wrong: Cloud SQL Proxy uses public IP with SSL, so traffic may traverse the public internet. It does not guarantee traffic stays within Google's network.
- B
Enable Private Google Access on the VPC subnet
Why wrong: Private Google Access allows VMs to access Google APIs via internal IP, but does not extend to Cloud Run or provide connectivity to Cloud SQL private IP.
- C
Use Serverless VPC Access and assign a private IP to the Cloud SQL instance
Serverless VPC Access connects Cloud Run to your VPC, and Cloud SQL private IP ensures traffic stays within Google's network.
- D
Create a VPC network peering between the Cloud Run tenant project and the Cloud SQL project
Why wrong: Cloud Run does not support direct VPC peering; Serverless VPC Access is required to connect Cloud Run to a VPC.
Google PCA Practice Question: Managing and Provisioning a Solution Infrastructure
This PCA practice question tests your understanding of managing and provisioning a solution infrastructure. 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 team is deploying a microservice on Cloud Run that needs to access a Cloud SQL database securely. They want to avoid using public IPs and ensure traffic stays within Google's network. Which configuration should they use?
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
Use Serverless VPC Access and assign a private IP to the Cloud SQL instance
Serverless VPC Access allows Cloud Run to connect to a VPC network via a VPC connector. Combined with Private Services Access, Cloud SQL can be configured with a private IP (within the VPC) and accessed without traversing the public internet. Cloud SQL Proxy is a sidecar pattern that can use public IP with SSL, but it does not keep traffic entirely within Google's network if the Cloud SQL instance uses a public IP. Private Google Access is for on-premises or VM access to Google APIs, not for Cloud Run to Cloud SQL.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Configure Cloud SQL with a public IP and use Cloud SQL Proxy in the Cloud Run service
Why it's wrong here
Cloud SQL Proxy uses public IP with SSL, so traffic may traverse the public internet. It does not guarantee traffic stays within Google's network.
- ✗
Enable Private Google Access on the VPC subnet
Why it's wrong here
Private Google Access allows VMs to access Google APIs via internal IP, but does not extend to Cloud Run or provide connectivity to Cloud SQL private IP.
- ✓
Use Serverless VPC Access and assign a private IP to the Cloud SQL instance
Why this is correct
Serverless VPC Access connects Cloud Run to your VPC, and Cloud SQL private IP ensures traffic stays within Google's network.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
Create a VPC network peering between the Cloud Run tenant project and the Cloud SQL project
Why it's wrong here
Cloud Run does not support direct VPC peering; Serverless VPC Access is required to connect Cloud Run to a VPC.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PCA subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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Managing and Provisioning a Solution Infrastructure — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCA question test?
Managing and Provisioning a Solution Infrastructure — This question tests Managing and Provisioning a Solution Infrastructure — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Serverless VPC Access and assign a private IP to the Cloud SQL instance — Serverless VPC Access allows Cloud Run to connect to a VPC network via a VPC connector. Combined with Private Services Access, Cloud SQL can be configured with a private IP (within the VPC) and accessed without traversing the public internet. Cloud SQL Proxy is a sidecar pattern that can use public IP with SSL, but it does not keep traffic entirely within Google's network if the Cloud SQL instance uses a public IP. Private Google Access is for on-premises or VM access to Google APIs, not for Cloud Run to Cloud SQL.
What should I do if I get this PCA question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PCA subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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.
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