Quick Answer
The answer is to enable Cloud SQL High Availability (HA) configuration. This is correct because HA provisions a standby instance in a different zone within the same region, using synchronous replication to ensure zero data loss during a zone outage. When the primary zone fails, Cloud SQL automatically fails over to the standby, typically within 60 seconds, meeting the requirement for automatic failover without manual intervention. On the Google Professional Cloud Architect exam, this scenario tests your understanding of regional versus zonal resources and the difference between HA and read replicas—a common trap is confusing read replicas (which require manual promotion) with HA’s automatic failover. Remember the key distinction: HA is for automatic zone-level failover with synchronous replication, while read replicas are for scaling reads. Memory tip: think “HA = Hot standby, Automatic failover” to recall that it’s the only built-in solution for zero-data-loss zone outages.
This PCA practice question tests your understanding of manage and provision cloud infrastructure. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 has a production database running on Cloud SQL. They need to ensure high availability with automatic failover in the event of a zone outage. What should they do?
Export the database to Cloud Storage and import in another region.
Why wrong: Not automatic and not for failover.
Enable Cloud SQL High Availability (HA) configuration.
HA provides automatic failover to standby in another zone.
Create a cross-region read replica.
Why wrong: Read replicas don't automatically failover.
Configure automated backups.
Why wrong: Backups help with recovery, not automatic failover.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Enable Cloud SQL High Availability (HA) configuration.
Enabling Cloud SQL High Availability (HA) configuration provisions a standby instance in a different zone within the same region, using synchronous replication to ensure zero data loss. In the event of a zone outage, Cloud SQL automatically fails over to the standby instance, typically within 60 seconds, providing high availability without manual intervention.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Export the database to Cloud Storage and import in another region.
Why it's wrong here
Not automatic and not for failover.
Enable Cloud SQL High Availability (HA) configuration.
Why this is correct
HA provides automatic failover to standby in another zone.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Create a cross-region read replica.
Why it's wrong here
Read replicas don't automatically failover.
Configure automated backups.
Why it's wrong here
Backups help with recovery, not automatic failover.
Common exam traps
Google Cloud often tests the distinction between high availability (automatic failover within a region) and disaster recovery (cross-region replication or backups), leading candidates to confuse read replicas or backups with HA solutions.
Detailed technical explanation
Cloud SQL HA uses a regional persistent disk that is synchronously replicated between the primary and standby instances in different zones; the standby is a fully provisioned VM that receives all writes in real time. During failover, the standby promotes itself, and the DNS record is updated to point to the new primary, typically completing within 60 seconds. This synchronous replication ensures RPO=0, but note that HA configuration is limited to the same region and does not protect against a regional outage.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Manage and provision cloud infrastructure — This question tests Manage and provision cloud infrastructure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Enable Cloud SQL High Availability (HA) configuration. — Enabling Cloud SQL High Availability (HA) configuration provisions a standby instance in a different zone within the same region, using synchronous replication to ensure zero data loss. In the event of a zone outage, Cloud SQL automatically fails over to the standby instance, typically within 60 seconds, providing high availability without manual intervention.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
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. An organization uses Cloud SQL for MySQL in a production environment. They need to ensure high availability with automatic failover in case of a zonal failure. Which configuration should they use?
hardWhy B: A regional Cloud SQL instance with automatic failover uses a primary and a standby zone within the same region, with synchronous replication between them. If the primary zone fails, Cloud SQL automatically promotes the standby to primary, ensuring high availability without data loss. This configuration meets the requirement for automatic failover during a zonal failure.
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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