- A
Shut down the instance, edit the configuration to increase storage, then restart.
Why wrong: Downtime is unnecessary.
- B
Use gcloud sql instances patch to increase storage size to 800 GB.
The patch command can increase storage online without downtime.
- C
Create a new instance with 800 GB storage and migrate data using pg_dump.
Why wrong: This involves significant downtime and effort.
- D
Enable auto-storage increase and wait for it to happen automatically.
Why wrong: Auto-storage increase is not available for all tiers and may not be immediate.
Question 904 of 1,000
PCDOE Manage Database Solutions Practice Question
This PCDOE practice question tests your understanding of manage 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.
A Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL instance is running low on disk space. The database size is 500 GB and the current storage is 600 GB. The engineer needs to increase storage to 800 GB without downtime. What should they do?
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
✓
Use gcloud sql instances patch to increase storage size to 800 GB.
Option B is correct because Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL supports online storage increases using the `gcloud sql instances patch` command, which resizes the disk without requiring an instance restart or downtime. The storage can be increased up to the maximum allowed for the instance tier, and the change takes effect immediately while the instance remains available.
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.
- ✗
Shut down the instance, edit the configuration to increase storage, then restart.
Why it's wrong here
Downtime is unnecessary.
- ✓
Use gcloud sql instances patch to increase storage size to 800 GB.
Why this is correct
The patch command can increase storage online without downtime.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Create a new instance with 800 GB storage and migrate data using pg_dump.
Why it's wrong here
This involves significant downtime and effort.
- ✗
Enable auto-storage increase and wait for it to happen automatically.
Why it's wrong here
Auto-storage increase is not available for all tiers and may not be immediate.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that storage changes require downtime or instance restart, leading candidates to choose the shutdown option (A) instead of the online patch command (B).
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL uses persistent disks that support live resizing; the `gcloud sql instances patch` command sends a resize request to the underlying Compute Engine disk, which can be increased without detaching or restarting the VM. However, storage can only be increased, never decreased, and the new size must be within the instance tier's limits (e.g., up to 30 TB for high-memory tiers). In a real-world scenario, if the database is near capacity, an online resize avoids application disruption, but engineers should monitor the resize operation via `gcloud sql operations list` to ensure it completes successfully.
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: Use gcloud sql instances patch to increase storage size to 800 GB. — Option B is correct because Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL supports online storage increases using the `gcloud sql instances patch` command, which resizes the disk without requiring an instance restart or downtime. The storage can be increased up to the maximum allowed for the instance tier, and the change takes effect immediately while the instance remains available.
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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