- A
Create an on-demand backup every hour for the last 7 days.
Why wrong: On-demand backups do not provide continuous point-in-time recovery; automated backups with WAL are needed.
- B
Set up a cross-region backup copy with a retention of 7 days.
Why wrong: Cross-region copies are for disaster recovery, not PITR.
- C
Configure the backup retention period to 7 days and ensure automatic backup is enabled.
Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL PITR uses automated backups and WAL logs retained according to the backup retention setting.
- D
Enable binlog replication on the instance.
Why wrong: Binlog is used for MySQL, not PostgreSQL. PostgreSQL uses WAL.
Question 442 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. 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 uses Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL and wants to set up point-in-time recovery (PITR) with a recovery window of 7 days. They have automated backups enabled. What additional configuration is required to achieve PITR?
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
✓
Configure the backup retention period to 7 days and ensure automatic backup is enabled.
Point-in-time recovery (PITR) in Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL relies on write-ahead log (WAL) archiving, which is automatically enabled when automated backups are turned on. To retain the WAL logs needed to replay transactions to any point within the recovery window, you must set the backup retention period to at least 7 days. Option C correctly combines a 7-day backup retention with automated backups, which is the only additional configuration required beyond the default automated backup setting.
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 an on-demand backup every hour for the last 7 days.
Why it's wrong here
On-demand backups do not provide continuous point-in-time recovery; automated backups with WAL are needed.
- ✗
Set up a cross-region backup copy with a retention of 7 days.
Why it's wrong here
Cross-region copies are for disaster recovery, not PITR.
- ✓
Configure the backup retention period to 7 days and ensure automatic backup is enabled.
Why this is correct
Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL PITR uses automated backups and WAL logs retained according to the backup retention setting.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Enable binlog replication on the instance.
Why it's wrong here
Binlog is used for MySQL, not PostgreSQL. PostgreSQL uses WAL.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that PITR requires a separate feature like binlog or extra on-demand backups, when in fact for PostgreSQL it is simply a matter of configuring the backup retention period to match the desired recovery window.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL uses the `archive_command` to continuously ship WAL segments to Cloud Storage, and the backup retention period determines how long those WAL segments are kept. When you set a 7-day retention, Cloud SQL automatically retains the WAL files for the last 7 days, enabling you to restore to any second within that window. A common subtlety is that if you reduce the retention period, WAL files older than the new retention are deleted, which can shrink the PITR window retroactively.
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
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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: Configure the backup retention period to 7 days and ensure automatic backup is enabled. — Point-in-time recovery (PITR) in Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL relies on write-ahead log (WAL) archiving, which is automatically enabled when automated backups are turned on. To retain the WAL logs needed to replay transactions to any point within the recovery window, you must set the backup retention period to at least 7 days. Option C correctly combines a 7-day backup retention with automated backups, which is the only additional configuration required beyond the default automated backup setting.
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
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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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