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Integrating Google Cloud services →easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is configuring Private Services Access to establish VPC peering between the VPC network and the Cloud SQL service network. Even though the Cloud Function uses a VPC connector attached to the same VPC as the Cloud SQL instance, the Cloud SQL private IP is allocated from a reserved, peered service range that is not automatically routable within your VPC. Without Private Services Access, the VPC connector cannot forward traffic to that range, causing connection timeouts despite the connector being healthy and the instance running. On the Google Professional Cloud Developer exam, this scenario tests your understanding that private IP connectivity to Cloud SQL requires explicit peering, not just shared VPC membership—a common trap where candidates assume same-VPC equals automatic routing. Remember the key distinction: Cloud SQL private IPs live in a Google-managed service project, so you must create a route via Private Services Access. A useful memory tip is “Private IP needs Private Peering”—if you see a timeout on a private IP connection, always check that the VPC is peered to the Cloud SQL service network.

PCD Integrating Google Cloud services Practice Question

This PCD practice question tests your understanding of integrating google cloud services. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 developer is deploying a 2nd gen Cloud Function that needs to connect to a Cloud SQL MySQL instance. The Cloud SQL instance is configured with a private IP only. The Cloud Function is deployed with a VPC connector that is connected to the same VPC network as the Cloud SQL instance. The developer has granted the Cloud Function's service account the Cloud SQL Client role. However, when the function is invoked, connection attempts to the Cloud SQL instance time out. The Cloud Function code uses the MySQL connector with the private IP address of the Cloud SQL instance. The developer has verified that the VPC connector is healthy and that the Cloud SQL instance is running. Which additional configuration is most likely required?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

Question 1easymultiple choice

Full question →

A
Modify the connection string to require SSL/TLS.
Why wrong: SSL/TLS enforcement would cause a different error (handshake failure), not a timeout.
B
Deploy the Cloud SQL Auth proxy as an additional container in the Cloud Function.
Why wrong: The Cloud SQL Auth proxy is used for connecting via public IP or when the client cannot reach the private network; not needed here.
C
Configure Private Services Access to establish a VPC peering between the VPC network and the Cloud SQL service network.
Private Services Access creates the necessary route for the VPC connector to reach the Cloud SQL private IP range.
D
Assign a public IP to the Cloud SQL instance and configure the function to use it.
Why wrong: The goal is to use private IP; public IP is not needed and would introduce security concerns.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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 Private Services Access to establish a VPC peering between the VPC network and the Cloud SQL service network.

Option A is correct. Even though the VPC connector is on the same VPC network as Cloud SQL, the Cloud SQL private IP address is allocated from a private services access range that is not automatically routed. You must set up Private Services Access to create a route from the VPC to the Cloud SQL private IP range. Without this, traffic from the VPC connector cannot reach the Cloud SQL instance. Option B is incorrect because the Cloud Function is using a VPC connector, so it does not need or use a public IP. Option C is incorrect because the Cloud SQL Auth proxy is not needed for private IP connections. Option D is incorrect because SSL/TLS configuration would cause a TLS handshake error, not a timeout.

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.

✗
Modify the connection string to require SSL/TLS.
Why it's wrong here
SSL/TLS enforcement would cause a different error (handshake failure), not a timeout.
✗
Deploy the Cloud SQL Auth proxy as an additional container in the Cloud Function.
Why it's wrong here
The Cloud SQL Auth proxy is used for connecting via public IP or when the client cannot reach the private network; not needed here.
✓
Configure Private Services Access to establish a VPC peering between the VPC network and the Cloud SQL service network.
Why this is correct
Private Services Access creates the necessary route for the VPC connector to reach the Cloud SQL private IP range.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Assign a public IP to the Cloud SQL instance and configure the function to use it.
Why it's wrong here
The goal is to use private IP; public IP is not needed and would introduce security concerns.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.

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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.

TExam Day Tips

Underline the problem statement mentally.
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 PCD exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this PCD question test?

Integrating Google Cloud services — This question tests Integrating Google Cloud services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Configure Private Services Access to establish a VPC peering between the VPC network and the Cloud SQL service network. — Option A is correct. Even though the VPC connector is on the same VPC network as Cloud SQL, the Cloud SQL private IP address is allocated from a private services access range that is not automatically routed. You must set up Private Services Access to create a route from the VPC to the Cloud SQL private IP range. Without this, traffic from the VPC connector cannot reach the Cloud SQL instance. Option B is incorrect because the Cloud Function is using a VPC connector, so it does not need or use a public IP. Option C is incorrect because the Cloud SQL Auth proxy is not needed for private IP connections. Option D is incorrect because SSL/TLS configuration would cause a TLS handshake error, not a timeout.

What should I do if I get this PCD question wrong?

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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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.