- A
Cloud Data Fusion
Why wrong: Data Fusion is for ETL/ELT pipelines, not database migration with CDC.
- B
Database Migration Service (DMS)
DMS provides continuous migration with CDC from PostgreSQL to Cloud SQL PostgreSQL.
- C
Dataproc
Why wrong: Dataproc is for running Spark/Hadoop clusters, not database migration.
- D
Cloud Memorystore
Why wrong: Memorystore is a caching service, not related to database migration.
Question 21 of 999
PCD Practice Question: Manage a Solution that Can Span Multiple Database Systems
This PCD practice question tests your understanding of manage a solution that can span multiple database systems. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 for PostgreSQL. They need to minimize downtime and ensure continuous replication during the cutover. Which Google Cloud service should they use to achieve continuous change data capture (CDC)?
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
✓
Database Migration Service (DMS)
Database Migration Service (DMS) supports continuous change data capture (CDC) for PostgreSQL migrations to Cloud SQL by using PostgreSQL's native logical replication. This allows DMS to replicate ongoing changes from the source to the target with minimal downtime, enabling a near-zero-downtime cutover by simply promoting the Cloud SQL instance as the new primary.
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.
- ✗
Cloud Data Fusion
Why it's wrong here
Data Fusion is for ETL/ELT pipelines, not database migration with CDC.
- ✓
Database Migration Service (DMS)
Why this is correct
DMS provides continuous migration with CDC from PostgreSQL to Cloud SQL PostgreSQL.
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.
- ✗
Dataproc
Why it's wrong here
Dataproc is for running Spark/Hadoop clusters, not database migration.
- ✗
Cloud Memorystore
Why it's wrong here
Memorystore is a caching service, not related to database migration.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse Cloud Data Fusion's ETL capabilities with database replication, not realizing that DMS is the only Google Cloud service purpose-built for live database migrations with CDC support.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DMS leverages PostgreSQL's built-in logical replication slots and the pgoutput plugin to capture changes at the transaction level, streaming them to the target via a secure connection. During the cutover, DMS applies all buffered changes and then stops replication, allowing the target to be promoted with only seconds of downtime. This approach avoids the need for external tools like pglogical or custom scripts, simplifying the migration process.
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 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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Manage a Solution that Can Span Multiple Database Systems — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCD question test?
Manage a Solution that Can Span Multiple Database Systems — This question tests Manage a Solution that Can Span Multiple Database Systems — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Database Migration Service (DMS) — Database Migration Service (DMS) supports continuous change data capture (CDC) for PostgreSQL migrations to Cloud SQL by using PostgreSQL's native logical replication. This allows DMS to replicate ongoing changes from the source to the target with minimal downtime, enabling a near-zero-downtime cutover by simply promoting the Cloud SQL instance as the new primary.
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
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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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