- A
Use BigQuery Data Transfer Service to migrate the data
Why wrong: BigQuery is an analytics database, not for transactional migration.
- B
Create a Cloud SQL read replica from the on-premises source using Database Migration Service
DMS can perform continuous replication, then promote the replica to primary, minimizing downtime.
- C
Copy the data files to a Cloud Storage bucket and use the Cloud SQL import
Why wrong: This still requires downtime and is less automated.
- D
Export the database using mysqldump and import to Cloud SQL using gcloud sql import
Why wrong: This method involves downtime and is not suitable for minimal downtime.
Question 258 of 980
Design Scalable and Highly Available Cloud Database Solutions →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
PCD Practice Question: Design Scalable and Highly Available Cloud Database Solutions
This PCD practice question tests your understanding of design scalable and highly available cloud database solutions. 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.
You want to migrate an on-premises MySQL database to Cloud SQL with minimal downtime. The source database is 500 GB. Which approach is recommended?
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
✓
Create a Cloud SQL read replica from the on-premises source using Database Migration Service
Database Migration Service (DMS) is specifically designed for minimal-downtime migrations from on-premises MySQL to Cloud SQL. It uses continuous replication (CDC) to keep the source and target synchronized, allowing a short cutover window after the initial 500 GB data load. This approach avoids the downtime required by export/import or file-copy methods.
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.
- ✗
Use BigQuery Data Transfer Service to migrate the data
Why it's wrong here
BigQuery is an analytics database, not for transactional migration.
- ✓
Create a Cloud SQL read replica from the on-premises source using Database Migration Service
Why this is correct
DMS can perform continuous replication, then promote the replica to primary, minimizing downtime.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Copy the data files to a Cloud Storage bucket and use the Cloud SQL import
Why it's wrong here
This still requires downtime and is less automated.
- ✗
Export the database using mysqldump and import to Cloud SQL using gcloud sql import
Why it's wrong here
This method involves downtime and is not suitable for minimal downtime.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between offline migration methods (mysqldump, file copy) and online replication-based methods (DMS), expecting candidates to recognize that 'minimal downtime' requires continuous change data capture, not a single bulk transfer.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Database Migration Service leverages MySQL binary log (binlog) replication to capture ongoing changes after the initial consistent snapshot. It uses a low-privilege replication user and automatically handles SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit. In real-world scenarios, DMS can achieve cutover windows of under 5 minutes even for multi-terabyte databases by streaming binlog events continuously.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCD question test?
Design Scalable and Highly Available Cloud Database Solutions — This question tests Design Scalable and Highly Available Cloud Database Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a Cloud SQL read replica from the on-premises source using Database Migration Service — Database Migration Service (DMS) is specifically designed for minimal-downtime migrations from on-premises MySQL to Cloud SQL. It uses continuous replication (CDC) to keep the source and target synchronized, allowing a short cutover window after the initial 500 GB data load. This approach avoids the downtime required by export/import or file-copy methods.
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.
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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