- A
Use pg_dump to export the database and import into Cloud SQL.
Why wrong: This would cause significant downtime.
- B
Perform the cutover by promoting the Cloud SQL instance to primary.
Once replication is caught up, promote the Cloud SQL instance to become the new primary.
- C
Enable binary logging on the source database.
Why wrong: Binary logging is for MySQL, not PostgreSQL. PostgreSQL uses WAL.
- D
Set up Cloud SQL as an external replica of the on-premises database.
Cloud SQL can be configured as a replica using logical replication.
- E
Use Database Migration Service with continuous migration.
DMS supports continuous replication from PostgreSQL to Cloud SQL.
Question 597 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 company is migrating its on-premises PostgreSQL database to Cloud SQL. The database is 2 TB and the migration must have minimal downtime. The source database supports continuous archiving. Which three steps should they take? (Choose THREE.)
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
✓
Perform the cutover by promoting the Cloud SQL instance to primary.
Option B is correct because promoting the Cloud SQL instance to primary is the final step in a migration using continuous replication, which minimizes downtime by allowing the source database to remain operational until the cutover. This approach leverages Cloud SQL's ability to act as a replica that stays synchronized with the on-premises database via continuous archiving, ensuring data consistency with minimal interruption.
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 pg_dump to export the database and import into Cloud SQL.
Why it's wrong here
This would cause significant downtime.
- ✓
Perform the cutover by promoting the Cloud SQL instance to primary.
Why this is correct
Once replication is caught up, promote the Cloud SQL instance to become the new primary.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Enable binary logging on the source database.
Why it's wrong here
Binary logging is for MySQL, not PostgreSQL. PostgreSQL uses WAL.
- ✓
Set up Cloud SQL as an external replica of the on-premises database.
Why this is correct
Cloud SQL can be configured as a replica using logical replication.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Use Database Migration Service with continuous migration.
Why this is correct
DMS supports continuous replication from PostgreSQL to Cloud SQL.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between database-specific features, and the trap here is that candidates familiar with MySQL might incorrectly associate binary logging with PostgreSQL, leading them to select Option C, while the correct approach for PostgreSQL involves WAL-based replication and DMS for continuous migration.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
PostgreSQL's continuous archiving uses WAL segments to enable point-in-time recovery and replication; Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL supports external replication by streaming WAL from the source, allowing near-real-time synchronization. The Database Migration Service (DMS) automates this process by handling initial data seeding and ongoing replication, and the cutover is performed by promoting the Cloud SQL replica to a standalone primary, which stops replication and makes it writable with minimal 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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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
- →
Manage Database Solutions practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All PCDOE questions
1,000 questions across all exam domains
- →
Google Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
PCDOE practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related PCDOE practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Design and Plan Database Solutions practice questions
Practise PCDOE questions linked to Design and Plan Database Solutions.
Manage Database Solutions practice questions
Practise PCDOE questions linked to Manage Database Solutions.
Migrate Database Solutions practice questions
Practise PCDOE questions linked to Migrate Database Solutions.
Design for Reliability, Scalability, and Disaster Recovery practice questions
Practise PCDOE questions linked to Design for Reliability, Scalability, and Disaster Recovery.
Bootstrapping a Google Cloud organization for DevOps practice questions
Practise PCDOE questions linked to Bootstrapping a Google Cloud organization for DevOps.
Managing service incidents practice questions
Practise PCDOE questions linked to Managing service incidents.
Managing Google Cloud costs practice questions
Practise PCDOE questions linked to Managing Google Cloud costs.
Building and implementing CI/CD pipelines practice questions
Practise PCDOE questions linked to Building and implementing CI/CD pipelines.
Implementing service monitoring strategies practice questions
Practise PCDOE questions linked to Implementing service monitoring strategies.
Optimizing service performance practice questions
Practise PCDOE questions linked to Optimizing service performance.
PCDOE fundamentals practice questions
Practise PCDOE questions linked to PCDOE fundamentals.
PCDOE scenario practice questions
Practise PCDOE questions linked to PCDOE scenario.
Practice this exam
Start a free PCDOE practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: Perform the cutover by promoting the Cloud SQL instance to primary. — Option B is correct because promoting the Cloud SQL instance to primary is the final step in a migration using continuous replication, which minimizes downtime by allowing the source database to remain operational until the cutover. This approach leverages Cloud SQL's ability to act as a replica that stays synchronized with the on-premises database via continuous archiving, ensuring data consistency with minimal interruption.
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
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 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.