- A
Create a Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL instance with regional HA configuration
Regional HA provides automatic failover and zone redundancy.
- B
Use Cloud SQL Auth Proxy for all connections
Why wrong: Auth Proxy is recommended but not required for IAM authentication; the question asks for three actions, and this is not strictly necessary.
- C
Grant the cloudsql.iamUser role to each user
This role allows users to log in with their IAM identity.
- D
Set the cloudsql.iam_authentication flag to 'on'
This flag enables IAM database authentication.
- E
Create a cross-region read replica for failover
Why wrong: Cross-region replica does not provide automatic failover; HA configuration does.
Question 473 of 980
PCD Practice Question: Deploy Scalable and Highly Available Databases in Google Cloud
This PCD practice question tests your understanding of deploy scalable and highly available databases in google cloud. 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 migrating an on-premises PostgreSQL database to Cloud SQL. They need to ensure high availability and minimize downtime during maintenance. They also want to enable IAM database authentication for enhanced security. Which three actions should they take? (Choose three.)
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
✓
Create a Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL instance with regional HA configuration
Option A is correct because creating a Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL instance with regional HA configuration uses synchronous replication across two zones within the same region, providing automatic failover with minimal downtime. This ensures high availability and meets the requirement to minimize downtime during maintenance, as the standby instance takes over with no data loss.
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 a Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL instance with regional HA configuration
Why this is correct
Regional HA provides automatic failover and zone redundancy.
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.
- ✗
Use Cloud SQL Auth Proxy for all connections
Why it's wrong here
Auth Proxy is recommended but not required for IAM authentication; the question asks for three actions, and this is not strictly necessary.
- ✓
Grant the cloudsql.iamUser role to each user
Why this is correct
This role allows users to log in with their IAM identity.
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 cloudsql.iam_authentication flag to 'on'
Why this is correct
This flag enables IAM database authentication.
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.
- ✗
Create a cross-region read replica for failover
Why it's wrong here
Cross-region replica does not provide automatic failover; HA configuration does.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between high availability (regional HA with synchronous replication) and disaster recovery (cross-region replicas with asynchronous replication), leading candidates to incorrectly choose cross-region replicas for minimizing maintenance downtime.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Regional HA in Cloud SQL uses synchronous replication with a witness in a third zone to ensure data consistency during failover. The failover is automatic and typically completes within 60 seconds, preserving all committed transactions. IAM database authentication works by mapping IAM principals to database users via the cloudsql.iamUser role and enabling the cloudsql.iam_authentication flag, which allows token-based authentication without a password.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Deploy Scalable and Highly Available Databases in Google Cloud — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCD question test?
Deploy Scalable and Highly Available Databases in Google Cloud — This question tests Deploy Scalable and Highly Available Databases in Google Cloud — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL instance with regional HA configuration — Option A is correct because creating a Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL instance with regional HA configuration uses synchronous replication across two zones within the same region, providing automatic failover with minimal downtime. This ensures high availability and meets the requirement to minimize downtime during maintenance, as the standby instance takes over with no data loss.
What should I do if I get this PCD question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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