- A
Create a new Cloud Bigtable cluster with HDD storage and migrate data
To change storage type, you must create a new cluster with the desired type and migrate the data.
- B
Increase the number of nodes to reduce per-node cost
Why wrong: Node count does not change storage type; HDD and SSD are separate cluster types.
- C
Add a cross-region replica and then promote it with HDD storage
Why wrong: Replicas inherit the storage type of the primary cluster.
- D
Use the gcloud bigtable clusters update command to change storage type
Why wrong: gcloud does not support changing storage type on an existing cluster.
Question 383 of 1,000
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 company runs a Cloud Bigtable instance with SSD storage and wants to switch to HDD storage to reduce costs. The instance cannot tolerate downtime for data migration. 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 Cloud Bigtable cluster with HDD storage and migrate data
Option A is correct because Cloud Bigtable does not support in-place conversion of storage type from SSD to HDD. The only way to switch storage without downtime is to create a new cluster with HDD storage, then use a replicated setup (e.g., via a replication cluster or application-level dual-write) to migrate data while the original cluster remains operational. This ensures zero downtime during the migration.
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 Cloud Bigtable cluster with HDD storage and migrate data
Why this is correct
To change storage type, you must create a new cluster with the desired type and migrate the data.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Increase the number of nodes to reduce per-node cost
Why it's wrong here
Node count does not change storage type; HDD and SSD are separate cluster types.
- ✗
Add a cross-region replica and then promote it with HDD storage
Why it's wrong here
Replicas inherit the storage type of the primary cluster.
- ✗
Use the gcloud bigtable clusters update command to change storage type
Why it's wrong here
gcloud does not support changing storage type on an existing cluster.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume a simple update command or replica promotion can change storage type, but Cloud Bigtable does not allow in-place storage type changes or replication across different storage types, forcing a new cluster creation with data migration.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cloud Bigtable clusters are tied to a specific storage type at creation time, and the storage type is immutable after creation. When migrating to HDD, you must create a new cluster with HDD, then use replication (if both clusters are in the same instance and region) or application-level dual-writes to move data. HDD storage offers lower cost per GB but higher latency, making it suitable for workloads with less stringent latency requirements, such as batch processing or archival data.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
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 Cloud Bigtable cluster with HDD storage and migrate data — Option A is correct because Cloud Bigtable does not support in-place conversion of storage type from SSD to HDD. The only way to switch storage without downtime is to create a new cluster with HDD storage, then use a replicated setup (e.g., via a replication cluster or application-level dual-write) to migrate data while the original cluster remains operational. This ensures zero downtime during the migration.
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.
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