Quick Answer
The answer is Private Google Access. This is the correct choice because it allows a Compute Engine instance without an external IP address to reach Google APIs and services, such as Pub/Sub, over the internal VPC network using internal IPs, eliminating the need for internet access or a NAT gateway. On the Google Professional Cloud Developer exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to securely connect internal resources to Google-managed services; a common trap is confusing Private Google Access with Cloud NAT, which provides outbound internet connectivity rather than direct API access. Remember that Private Google Access enables internal-only VMs to talk to Google services like Pub/Sub, while Cloud NAT is for reaching the public internet. A simple memory tip: think "Private for Google, NAT for the rest."
This PCD practice question tests your understanding of integrating google cloud services. 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.
An application running on Compute Engine needs to publish messages to a Pub/Sub topic. The VPC does not have external internet access. What must be configured to allow the instance to publish?
Cloud NAT
Why wrong: Cloud NAT provides outbound internet access, not private access to Google APIs.
VPC Peering with Pub/Sub
Why wrong: VPC Peering is between VPCs, not required for Pub/Sub access.
Cloud Router with BGP
Why wrong: Cloud Router is for dynamic routing, not for API access.
Private Google Access
Private Google Access allows VM instances to use Google APIs via internal IPs.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Private Google Access
Option D is correct because Private Google Access enables instances without external IP addresses to call Google APIs and services (including Pub/Sub) using internal IPs. Option A is for NAT to internet, option B is for peering, and option C is for dynamic routing.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Cloud NAT
Why it's wrong here
Cloud NAT provides outbound internet access, not private access to Google APIs.
VPC Peering with Pub/Sub
Why it's wrong here
VPC Peering is between VPCs, not required for Pub/Sub access.
Cloud Router with BGP
Why it's wrong here
Cloud Router is for dynamic routing, not for API access.
Private Google Access
Common exam traps
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
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
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related PCD NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
Integrating Google Cloud services — This question tests Integrating Google Cloud services — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: Private Google Access — Option D is correct because Private Google Access enables instances without external IP addresses to call Google APIs and services (including Pub/Sub) using internal IPs. Option A is for NAT to internet, option B is for peering, and option C is for dynamic routing.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related PCD NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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