- A
Install Cloud SQL Auth Proxy on the source database server
Auth Proxy creates an encrypted tunnel for DMS to connect to the source.
- B
Open firewall ports for DMS public IPs
Why wrong: DMS does not use public IPs for connectivity.
- C
Use Cloud Interconnect
Why wrong: Cloud Interconnect is a dedicated connection, not required for DMS.
- D
Set up VPC peering between the customer's VPC and the Cloud SQL VPC
VPC peering allows connectivity if the source is accessible via a VPC.
- E
Configure a Cloud VPN tunnel to the source database
Why wrong: Cloud VPN is not directly supported by DMS for connectivity.
Question 500 of 980
PCD Migrate Data Solutions Practice Question
This PCD practice question tests your understanding of migrate data solutions. 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 using Database Migration Service to continuously migrate data from an on-premises PostgreSQL database to Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL. The source database is behind a firewall. Which two steps are required to establish connectivity? (Choose two.)
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
✓
Install Cloud SQL Auth Proxy on the source database server
Option A is correct because Cloud SQL Auth Proxy provides a secure way to connect to Cloud SQL from on-premises without requiring a public IP or firewall rules for the Cloud SQL instance. It uses a TLS tunnel to the Cloud SQL instance, which is ideal when the source database is behind a firewall and you need to establish outbound connectivity from the on-premises environment to Cloud SQL. This avoids exposing the Cloud SQL instance to the public internet.
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.
- ✓
Install Cloud SQL Auth Proxy on the source database server
Why this is correct
Auth Proxy creates an encrypted tunnel for DMS to connect to the source.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Open firewall ports for DMS public IPs
Why it's wrong here
DMS does not use public IPs for connectivity.
- ✗
Use Cloud Interconnect
Why it's wrong here
Cloud Interconnect is a dedicated connection, not required for DMS.
- ✓
Set up VPC peering between the customer's VPC and the Cloud SQL VPC
Why this is correct
VPC peering allows connectivity if the source is accessible via a VPC.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Configure a Cloud VPN tunnel to the source database
Why it's wrong here
Cloud VPN is not directly supported by DMS for connectivity.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that DMS requires opening firewall ports for its public IPs or that a VPN tunnel is mandatory, when in fact Cloud SQL Auth Proxy or VPC peering are the correct connectivity methods.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Database Migration Service (DMS) uses a continuous migration approach by reading the PostgreSQL write-ahead log (WAL) from the source database. To establish connectivity, DMS requires either a Cloud SQL Auth Proxy (which creates an outbound TLS connection from the source to Cloud SQL) or a private IP connection via VPC peering (which requires the source to be in a network that can reach the Cloud SQL private IP). The Auth Proxy handles authentication and encryption, while VPC peering provides low-latency private connectivity without traversing the public internet.
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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
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.
- →
Migrate Data Solutions — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCD question test?
Migrate Data Solutions — This question tests Migrate Data Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Install Cloud SQL Auth Proxy on the source database server — Option A is correct because Cloud SQL Auth Proxy provides a secure way to connect to Cloud SQL from on-premises without requiring a public IP or firewall rules for the Cloud SQL instance. It uses a TLS tunnel to the Cloud SQL instance, which is ideal when the source database is behind a firewall and you need to establish outbound connectivity from the on-premises environment to Cloud SQL. This avoids exposing the Cloud SQL instance to the public internet.
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.
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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