- A
Configure the backup retention period to your required PITR window.
Retention period determines how far back PITR can go.
- B
Promote a read replica in the secondary region for migration.
Why wrong: Promoting a replica is for migration, not for disaster recovery backups.
- C
Enable automated backups on the Cloud SQL instance.
Automated backups are required for PITR and cross-region copies.
- D
Enable cross-region backup copy in the Cloud SQL settings.
This copies automated backups to another region automatically.
- E
Create an on-demand backup every hour for the last 7 days.
Why wrong: On-demand backups do not support PITR and not needed for cross-region copies.
Question 518 of 980
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 uses Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL and wants to set up a disaster recovery solution with cross-region backup copies. They also need point-in-time recovery (PITR) in the primary region. Which three steps 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:
"primary"Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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 your required PITR window.
Option A is correct because the backup retention period in Cloud SQL directly determines the maximum window for point-in-time recovery (PITR). PITR relies on transaction logs retained alongside automated backups; setting the retention period to cover your required PITR window ensures you can restore to any point within that timeframe.
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.
- ✓
Configure the backup retention period to your required PITR window.
Why this is correct
Retention period determines how far back PITR can go.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Promote a read replica in the secondary region for migration.
Why it's wrong here
Promoting a replica is for migration, not for disaster recovery backups.
- ✓
Enable automated backups on the Cloud SQL instance.
Why this is correct
Automated backups are required for PITR and cross-region copies.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Enable cross-region backup copy in the Cloud SQL settings.
Why this is correct
This copies automated backups to another region automatically.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Create an on-demand backup every hour for the last 7 days.
Why it's wrong here
On-demand backups do not support PITR and not needed for cross-region copies.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between automated backups (which enable PITR) and on-demand backups (which do not support PITR), leading candidates to incorrectly select frequent on-demand backups as a solution for point-in-time recovery.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL uses Write-Ahead Log (WAL) archiving to enable PITR; the retention period for automated backups (default 7 days, max 365 days) defines how far back you can recover. Cross-region backup copies replicate the automated backup and associated WAL logs to a secondary region, allowing restore in that region without needing a replica. The backup copy is taken from the latest automated backup, not from an on-demand backup, and the retention for cross-region copies is independent of the primary region's retention.
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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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 your required PITR window. — Option A is correct because the backup retention period in Cloud SQL directly determines the maximum window for point-in-time recovery (PITR). PITR relies on transaction logs retained alongside automated backups; setting the retention period to cover your required PITR window ensures you can restore to any point within that timeframe.
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: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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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