The answer is to configure CPU to be always allocated and to use container images with minimal surface area. Always allocating CPU prevents the container from being throttled during idle periods, eliminating cold starts and ensuring consistent low latency for production traffic, which is critical for responsive APIs. Minimizing the image surface area reduces both security vulnerabilities and the time needed to pull and start the container, directly improving deployment speed and reducing attack vectors. On the Google Professional Cloud Developer exam, this question tests your understanding of Cloud Run’s scaling and cost trade-offs; a common trap is confusing “always allocated” with higher cost, but the latency benefit for production workloads justifies it, while limiting max instances prevents runaway costs. Remember the mnemonic “Always Allocated, Always Available” to pair CPU allocation with responsiveness, and “Smaller Image, Safer Start” for the security and speed benefit.
PCD Deploying applications Practice Question
This PCD practice question tests your understanding of deploying applications. 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.
Which TWO best practices should be followed when deploying a containerized application to Cloud Run for production?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use a minimal base image with only necessary dependencies.
Options A and D are correct. A: Use container images with minimal surface area to reduce vulnerabilities and cold starts. D: Set CPU always allocated to avoid cold starts and ensure responsiveness. Option B is wrong because max instances should be limited to avoid unlimited cost. Option C is wrong because using public images is a security risk. Option E is wrong because Cloud Run automatically handles scaling.
Key principle: OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Use a minimal base image with only necessary dependencies.
Why this is correct
Minimal images reduce attack surface and improve start time.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Always use the latest public image from Docker Hub for dependencies.
Why it's wrong here
Public images may contain vulnerabilities; use trusted private registry.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: OSPF can fail even when IP connectivity looks correct
OSPF neighbour formation depends on matching areas, timers, network type, authentication and passive-interface behaviour. Do not choose an answer only because the devices can ping.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPF questions usually test the details that control adjacency and route selection. Read the neighbour state, area, router ID and interface configuration before deciding what is wrong.
KKey Concepts to Remember
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
Router ID selection can affect neighbour relationships and LSDB output.
OSPF cost influences the preferred path.
A route can appear in OSPF information but not become the installed route.
TExam Day Tips
→Check area mismatch first when OSPF adjacency fails.
→Review passive interfaces when a network is advertised but no neighbour forms.
→Use show ip ospf neighbor and show ip route clues carefully.
Key takeaway
OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related PCD OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
Deploying applications — This question tests Deploying applications — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a minimal base image with only necessary dependencies. — Options A and D are correct. A: Use container images with minimal surface area to reduce vulnerabilities and cold starts. D: Set CPU always allocated to avoid cold starts and ensure responsiveness. Option B is wrong because max instances should be limited to avoid unlimited cost. Option C is wrong because using public images is a security risk. Option E is wrong because Cloud Run automatically handles scaling.
What should I do if I get this PCD question wrong?
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related PCD OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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Question Discussion
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