Google PCA Manage implementation of cloud architecture Practice Question
This PCA practice question tests your understanding of manage implementation of cloud architecture. 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.
An organization is using Shared VPC with multiple projects. They want to allow a service project to use a Cloud SQL instance created in the host project. Which step is required?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create the Cloud SQL instance with a private IP and enable Private Services Access in the host project
When using Shared VPC, a service project can use a Cloud SQL instance with a private IP from the host project's VPC. To enable this, the Cloud SQL instance must be created with a private IP and Private Services Access must be configured in the host project. This establishes a VPC peering connection between the host project's VPC and the Google-managed Cloud SQL service network, allowing the service project's resources to communicate with the instance via internal IP.
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 the Cloud SQL instance with a private IP and enable Private Services Access in the host project
Why this is correct
Private Services Access creates a VPC peering between the host project and the Cloud SQL service producer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Grant the service project's Cloud SQL service account the Cloud SQL Client role on the host project
Why it's wrong here
Service accounts are for Cloud SQL itself, not for networking.
✗
Configure VPC peering between host and service project
Why it's wrong here
VPC peering alone is not sufficient; you need Private Services Access specifically for Cloud SQL.
✗
Enable the Cloud SQL Admin API in the service project
Why it's wrong here
Enabling the API is necessary but not sufficient for network access.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the misconception that VPC peering between host and service projects is required, when in fact Shared VPC eliminates that need and the actual peering is with the Google-managed service network via Private Services Access.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Private Services Access uses a VPC peering connection to the `servicenetworking.googleapis.com` service, which allocates an IP range from the host project's VPC for Cloud SQL instances. The Cloud SQL instance's private IP is assigned from this range, and the service project's resources (e.g., Compute Engine VMs) can reach it directly because they share the same VPC via Shared VPC. A common subtlety is that the Cloud SQL Admin API must be enabled in the host project, not just the service project, to create the instance with a private IP.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this PCA question in full detail.
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: Create the Cloud SQL instance with a private IP and enable Private Services Access in the host project — When using Shared VPC, a service project can use a Cloud SQL instance with a private IP from the host project's VPC. To enable this, the Cloud SQL instance must be created with a private IP and Private Services Access must be configured in the host project. This establishes a VPC peering connection between the host project's VPC and the Google-managed Cloud SQL service network, allowing the service project's resources to communicate with the instance via internal IP.
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.
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Question Discussion
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