- A
Grant the Cloud Run service account the Cloud SQL Client role.
The Cloud SQL Client role allows the service account to connect to Cloud SQL instances.
- B
Set the CLOUD_SQL_CONNECTION_NAME environment variable in the Cloud Run service.
Why wrong: This environment variable is used with the Cloud SQL Auth proxy, not for private IP connections.
- C
Enable the Cloud SQL Admin API.
Why wrong: This is a prerequisite but not a direct step for the private IP connection; it's often already enabled.
- D
Configure the Cloud Run service to use a VPC connector and set up a private services access connection for Cloud SQL.
A VPC connector enables Cloud Run to reach resources in a VPC, and Private Services Access creates a route to the Cloud SQL private IP.
- E
Deploy the Cloud SQL Auth proxy as a sidecar container in Cloud Run.
Why wrong: The proxy is not needed when connecting via private IP; it is used for public IP connections.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to configure the Cloud Run service to use a VPC connector and set up a private services access connection for Cloud SQL. This works because Cloud Run runs in a fully managed environment isolated from your VPC, so a VPC connector bridges that gap, allowing your container to reach internal resources. Private services access then allocates a private IP range for Cloud SQL within your VPC, enabling a direct, low-latency connection without traversing the public internet. On the Google Professional Cloud Developer exam, this scenario tests your understanding of network architecture for serverless services; a common trap is confusing the Cloud SQL Auth proxy (which is for public IP or external connections) with the private IP path. Remember that private IP means no proxy—just a VPC connector plus private services access. A helpful memory tip: “Private path, no proxy math; VPC connector bridges the gulf, private access is the final push.”
PCD Integrating Google Cloud services Practice Question
This PCD practice question tests your understanding of integrating google cloud services. 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 is deploying a containerized application on Cloud Run that requires access to a Cloud SQL PostgreSQL instance. The application needs to connect to the database using private IP to minimize latency and avoid public internet exposure. The Cloud Run service and Cloud SQL instance are in the same region and project. The database user and password are stored in Secret Manager. Which two steps should the developer take to enable the connection? (Choose TWO.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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
Grant the Cloud Run service account the Cloud SQL Client role.
Option C is correct because Cloud Run requires a VPC connector to access resources on a VPC network, and Private Services Access must be configured to allow Cloud Run to reach the Cloud SQL private IP. Option D is correct because the Cloud Run service account needs the Cloud SQL Client role to authenticate with Cloud SQL. Option A is incorrect because enabling the Cloud SQL Admin API is a prerequisite but not a direct step for the connection itself; it is often already enabled. Option B is incorrect because the Cloud SQL Auth proxy is not needed when using private IP. Option E is incorrect because the CLOUD_SQL_CONNECTION_NAME environment variable is used with the Cloud SQL Auth proxy, not with private 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.
- ✓
Grant the Cloud Run service account the Cloud SQL Client role.
Why this is correct
The Cloud SQL Client role allows the service account to connect to Cloud SQL instances.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Set the CLOUD_SQL_CONNECTION_NAME environment variable in the Cloud Run service.
Why it's wrong here
This environment variable is used with the Cloud SQL Auth proxy, not for private IP connections.
- ✗
Enable the Cloud SQL Admin API.
Why it's wrong here
This is a prerequisite but not a direct step for the private IP connection; it's often already enabled.
- ✓
Configure the Cloud Run service to use a VPC connector and set up a private services access connection for Cloud SQL.
Why this is correct
A VPC connector enables Cloud Run to reach resources in a VPC, and Private Services Access creates a route to the Cloud SQL private IP.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Deploy the Cloud SQL Auth proxy as a sidecar container in Cloud Run.
Why it's wrong here
The proxy is not needed when connecting via private IP; it is used for public IP connections.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which PCD exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Integrating Google Cloud services — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCD question test?
Integrating Google Cloud services — This question tests Integrating Google Cloud services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Grant the Cloud Run service account the Cloud SQL Client role. — Option C is correct because Cloud Run requires a VPC connector to access resources on a VPC network, and Private Services Access must be configured to allow Cloud Run to reach the Cloud SQL private IP. Option D is correct because the Cloud Run service account needs the Cloud SQL Client role to authenticate with Cloud SQL. Option A is incorrect because enabling the Cloud SQL Admin API is a prerequisite but not a direct step for the connection itself; it is often already enabled. Option B is incorrect because the Cloud SQL Auth proxy is not needed when using private IP. Option E is incorrect because the CLOUD_SQL_CONNECTION_NAME environment variable is used with the Cloud SQL Auth proxy, not with private IP.
What should I do if I get this PCD question wrong?
Identify which PCD exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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 PCD
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. A company is deploying a containerized application on Cloud Run that needs to connect to a Cloud SQL (MySQL) database. The database must not be accessible from the public internet. Which two steps should the company take to secure the connection?
medium- A.Enable automatic IAM database authentication for Cloud SQL.
- B.Create a Cloud NAT gateway for outbound traffic from Cloud Run.
- C.Use Cloud SQL Auth proxy within the Cloud Run container.
- ✓ D.Set Cloud SQL to have a private IP address only.
- ✓ E.Configure a VPC Serverless Access connector and attach it to the Cloud Run service.
Why D: Setting Cloud SQL to have a private IP address only (Option D) ensures the database is accessible only within the VPC network, not from the public internet. This eliminates exposure to external threats and is a fundamental security best practice for private database access.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This PCD 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 PCD exam.
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