- A
16 GB
Why wrong: 16 GB would support 1024 connections, which is more than needed but not the minimum.
- B
4 GB
Why wrong: 4 GB would only support 250 connections.
- C
8 GB
8 GB supports 500 connections by the formula.
- D
32 GB
Why wrong: 32 GB is excessive for 500 connections.
PCDOE Design and Plan Database Solutions Practice Question
This PCDOE practice question tests your understanding of design and plan 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 their on-premises Oracle OLTP workload to Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL. The database currently supports 500 concurrent connections and has a working set of 8 GB. What is the minimum memory required for the Cloud SQL instance based on the max_connections formula (max_connections = RAM_MB/16)?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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
8 GB
Using the formula, RAM = max_connections * 16 = 500 * 16 = 8000 MB = 8 GB. However, this is only for connection overhead; additional memory is needed for buffer pool and working set. The question asks for minimum memory based on the formula alone, so 8 GB is the answer.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
16 GB
Why it's wrong here
16 GB would support 1024 connections, which is more than needed but not the minimum.
- ✗
4 GB
Why it's wrong here
4 GB would only support 250 connections.
- ✓
8 GB
Why this is correct
8 GB supports 500 connections by the formula.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
32 GB
Why it's wrong here
32 GB is excessive for 500 connections.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
- The first matching ACL entry is used.
- There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
- Check inbound versus outbound direction.
- Read the ACL from top to bottom.
- Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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. ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement. 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.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related PCDOE ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCDOE question test?
Design and Plan Database Solutions — This question tests Design and Plan Database Solutions — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 8 GB — Using the formula, RAM = max_connections * 16 = 500 * 16 = 8000 MB = 8 GB. However, this is only for connection overhead; additional memory is needed for buffer pool and working set. The question asks for minimum memory based on the formula alone, so 8 GB is the answer.
What should I do if I get this PCDOE question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related PCDOE ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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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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