- A
Create a new cluster in the same instance with SSD, then delete the old HDD cluster.
Correct. A Bigtable instance can have multiple clusters; add a new SSD cluster, replicate data, then remove the HDD cluster.
- B
Use the gcloud bigtable clusters update command with the --storage-type flag.
Why wrong: The storage type cannot be updated; a new cluster must be created.
- C
Export the table to Cloud Storage, delete the instance, create a new one with SSD, and import.
Why wrong: This approach works but is more disruptive. The recommended method is to add a new cluster to the same instance.
- D
Delete the existing cluster and recreate it with SSD. Data is retained in the instance.
Why wrong: Deleting a cluster removes the data; you need a new cluster in the same instance or a new instance.
PCDOE Manage Database Solutions Practice Question
This PCDOE practice question tests your understanding of manage database solutions. 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 Cloud Bigtable cluster is currently using HDD storage. The team wants to switch to SSD for better performance. What is the correct approach?
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 new cluster in the same instance with SSD, then delete the old HDD cluster.
In Cloud Bigtable, storage type is a property of the cluster, not the instance. You cannot change the storage type of an existing cluster. The correct approach is to add a new cluster with SSD storage to the same instance, then delete the original HDD cluster. This allows you to migrate without data loss or downtime, as data is replicated across clusters in the same instance.
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.
- ✓
Create a new cluster in the same instance with SSD, then delete the old HDD cluster.
Why this is correct
Correct. A Bigtable instance can have multiple clusters; add a new SSD cluster, replicate data, then remove the HDD cluster.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use the gcloud bigtable clusters update command with the --storage-type flag.
Why it's wrong here
The storage type cannot be updated; a new cluster must be created.
- ✗
Export the table to Cloud Storage, delete the instance, create a new one with SSD, and import.
Why it's wrong here
This approach works but is more disruptive. The recommended method is to add a new cluster to the same instance.
- ✗
Delete the existing cluster and recreate it with SSD. Data is retained in the instance.
Why it's wrong here
Deleting a cluster removes the data; you need a new cluster in the same instance or a new instance.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that you can update storage type on an existing cluster or that deleting a cluster preserves data in the instance, but in Cloud Bigtable, storage type is immutable per cluster and data is tied to the cluster's existence.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cloud Bigtable instances can have multiple clusters, each with its own storage type (HDD or SSD) and replication settings. When adding a new SSD cluster, data is automatically replicated from the existing HDD cluster via the underlying replication mechanism, ensuring zero data loss. After replication completes, you can safely delete the HDD cluster; the instance and tables remain available throughout the process, making this a rolling migration with no downtime.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Manage Database Solutions — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCDOE question test?
Manage Database Solutions — This question tests Manage 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 new cluster in the same instance with SSD, then delete the old HDD cluster. — In Cloud Bigtable, storage type is a property of the cluster, not the instance. You cannot change the storage type of an existing cluster. The correct approach is to add a new cluster with SSD storage to the same instance, then delete the original HDD cluster. This allows you to migrate without data loss or downtime, as data is replicated across clusters in the same instance.
What should I do if I get this PCDOE 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
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PCDOE 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 PCDOE exam.
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