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Integrating Google Cloud services →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is that the VPC connector is in a different region than the Cloud Function, which is the most likely cause of the connection failure. A VPC connector acts as a bridge between a serverless environment and a VPC, but it must reside in the same region as the Cloud Function to route traffic correctly; if the regions differ, the connector cannot be attached, and the function’s outbound requests never reach the Cloud SQL instance. On the Google Professional Cloud Developer exam, this scenario tests your understanding of regional dependencies in serverless networking—a common trap is assuming VPC connectors can span regions like VPC peering, but they are strictly regional resources. A quick memory tip: think of the VPC connector as a regional “gateway” that must be in your function’s home region, or the connection simply won’t open.

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.

Exhibit

resource "google_cloudfunctions_function" "function" {
  name        = "my-function"
  runtime     = "python39"
  entry_point = "hello_world"
  source_archive_bucket = google_storage_bucket.bucket.name
  source_archive_object = "function.zip"
  event_trigger {
    event_type = "google.storage.object.finalize"
    resource   = google_storage_bucket.bucket.name
  }
  vpc_connector = google_vpc_access_connector.connector.id
  vpc_connector_egress_settings = "ALL_TRAFFIC"
  environment_variables = {
    DB_HOST = "10.0.0.4"
  }
}

Refer to the exhibit. A team is deploying a Cloud Function that needs to connect to a Cloud SQL instance in a VPC. They have set up a VPC connector. After deployment, the function fails to connect to the database. What is the most likely cause?

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 1hardmultiple choice

Full question →

Exhibit

resource "google_cloudfunctions_function" "function" {
  name        = "my-function"
  runtime     = "python39"
  entry_point = "hello_world"
  source_archive_bucket = google_storage_bucket.bucket.name
  source_archive_object = "function.zip"
  event_trigger {
    event_type = "google.storage.object.finalize"
    resource   = google_storage_bucket.bucket.name
  }
  vpc_connector = google_vpc_access_connector.connector.id
  vpc_connector_egress_settings = "ALL_TRAFFIC"
  environment_variables = {
    DB_HOST = "10.0.0.4"
  }
}

A
The VPC connector is in a different region than the function
The VPC connector and Cloud Function must be in the same region.
B
The function's service account does not have permissions to use the VPC connector
Why wrong: The default service account usually has the VPC Access user role.
C
The environment variable DB_HOST is misspelled
Why wrong: The variable name appears correct in the exhibit.
D
The database firewall rules do not allow traffic from the VPC connector's subnet
Why wrong: Cloud SQL private IP does not use firewall rules; it uses VPC peering.

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

✓

The VPC connector is in a different region than the function

Option A is correct because the VPC connector must be in the same region as the Cloud Function. If they are in different regions, the function cannot use the connector. Option B is less likely because Cloud SQL private IP uses VPC peering, not firewall rules. Option C is possible but usually the default service account has the necessary permissions. Option D is a possible typo but less likely given the exhibit shows 'DB_HOST'.

Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

✓
The VPC connector is in a different region than the function
Why this is correct
The VPC connector and Cloud Function must be in the same region.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
✗
The function's service account does not have permissions to use the VPC connector
Why it's wrong here
The default service account usually has the VPC Access user role.
✗
The environment variable DB_HOST is misspelled
Why it's wrong here
The variable name appears correct in the exhibit.
✗
The database firewall rules do not allow traffic from the VPC connector's subnet
Why it's wrong here
Cloud SQL private IP does not use firewall rules; it uses VPC peering.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses

Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.

KKey Concepts to Remember

CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.

TExam Day Tips

Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.

Key takeaway

Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.

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.

Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PCD subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.

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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 — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: The VPC connector is in a different region than the function — Option A is correct because the VPC connector must be in the same region as the Cloud Function. If they are in different regions, the function cannot use the connector. Option B is less likely because Cloud SQL private IP uses VPC peering, not firewall rules. Option C is possible but usually the default service account has the necessary permissions. Option D is a possible typo but less likely given the exhibit shows 'DB_HOST'.

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?

CIDR notation defines the prefix length.

About these practice questions

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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026

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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.