The answer is a project-level quota exhaustion for external IP addresses. When a GKE LoadBalancer service shows a pending external IP, even with sufficient node capacity and running pods, the most likely cause is that the project has reached its regional or global limit for static or ephemeral external IPs. Google Cloud enforces these quotas to prevent resource overconsumption, and the LoadBalancer controller cannot provision a new IP until quota is freed or increased. On the Google Professional Cloud Developer exam, this scenario tests your understanding of GKE networking and resource management, often appearing as a distractor where candidates mistakenly blame readiness probes or cluster configuration. A common trap is assuming the issue is with the pod or service configuration, but the pending IP is a clear quota signal. Memory tip: “Pending IP? Check the quota—not the pod.”
PCD Deploying applications Practice Question
This PCD practice question tests your understanding of deploying applications. 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 is deploying a containerized application on Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE). The deployment uses a Service of type LoadBalancer. After creating the Service, the external IP remains pending for several minutes. The team has verified that the cluster has sufficient node capacity and that the pod is running. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The project's quota for external IP addresses has been exhausted.
Option C is correct because a pending external IP often indicates that the project's quota for external IP addresses has been exhausted. Option A is wrong because an incorrect port mapping would not prevent IP assignment. Option B is wrong because regional clusters can still receive external IPs. Option D is wrong because a failing readiness probe would affect traffic routing, not IP assignment.
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.
✗
The Service is using an incorrect port mapping.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect port mapping affects connectivity but not the IP address assignment.
✗
The pod's readiness probe is failing.
Why it's wrong here
Readiness probes affect traffic routing, not IP assignment.
✓
The project's quota for external IP addresses has been exhausted.
Why this is correct
Exhausted quota is a common cause for pending external IPs.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The cluster is using a regional cluster type.
Why it's wrong here
Regional clusters can still have external IPs assigned.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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.
Deploying applications — This question tests Deploying applications — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The project's quota for external IP addresses has been exhausted. — Option C is correct because a pending external IP often indicates that the project's quota for external IP addresses has been exhausted. Option A is wrong because an incorrect port mapping would not prevent IP assignment. Option B is wrong because regional clusters can still receive external IPs. Option D is wrong because a failing readiness probe would affect traffic routing, not IP assignment.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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