- A
The SLA requires two circuits in different metro areas for failover.
Why wrong: The SLA requires two connections, but they can be in the same metro; failover should still work.
- B
The on-premises router is not configured to use the passive connection.
Why wrong: Even if on-premises router is configured, the passive connection in GCP must be set up correctly.
- C
The passive connection is in a different metro area, causing higher latency.
Why wrong: The scenario states both connections are in the same metro area.
- D
The passive VLAN attachment does not have BGP session configured with Cloud Router.
Without BGP session, the passive connection has no routes to receive traffic. The VLAN attachment must be created and a BGP session established, even if the routes are less preferred via MED.
PCNE Implementing Hybrid Interconnectivity Practice Question
This PCNE practice question tests your understanding of implementing hybrid interconnectivity. 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 has two Dedicated Interconnect connections in the same metro area to meet the 99.99% SLA. One connection is active and the other is passive. During a maintenance window, the active connection goes down. The engineer expects traffic to fail over to the passive connection, but it does not. What is the most likely reason?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
The passive VLAN attachment does not have BGP session configured with Cloud Router.
For failover to work with active-passive, the passive connection must have its own VLAN attachment and Cloud Router BGP session with the same routes, but with a higher MED value to be less preferred. If the VLAN attachment is not created, there is no path.
Key principle: OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The SLA requires two circuits in different metro areas for failover.
Why it's wrong here
The SLA requires two connections, but they can be in the same metro; failover should still work.
- ✗
The on-premises router is not configured to use the passive connection.
Why it's wrong here
Even if on-premises router is configured, the passive connection in GCP must be set up correctly.
- ✗
The passive connection is in a different metro area, causing higher latency.
Why it's wrong here
The scenario states both connections are in the same metro area.
- ✓
The passive VLAN attachment does not have BGP session configured with Cloud Router.
Why this is correct
Without BGP session, the passive connection has no routes to receive traffic. The VLAN attachment must be created and a BGP session established, even if the routes are less preferred via MED.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: OSPF can fail even when IP connectivity looks correct
OSPF neighbour formation depends on matching areas, timers, network type, authentication and passive-interface behaviour. Do not choose an answer only because the devices can ping.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
The scenario states both connections are in the same metro area.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPF questions usually test the details that control adjacency and route selection. Read the neighbour state, area, router ID and interface configuration before deciding what is wrong.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
- Router ID selection can affect neighbour relationships and LSDB output.
- OSPF cost influences the preferred path.
- A route can appear in OSPF information but not become the installed route.
TExam Day Tips
- Check area mismatch first when OSPF adjacency fails.
- Review passive interfaces when a network is advertised but no neighbour forms.
- Use show ip ospf neighbor and show ip route clues carefully.
Key takeaway
OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
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. OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related PCNE OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
- →
Implementing Hybrid Interconnectivity — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Implementing Hybrid Interconnectivity practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All PCNE questions
1,000 questions across all exam domains
- →
Google Professional Cloud Network Engineer study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
PCNE practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related PCNE practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Configuring Network Services practice questions
Practise PCNE questions linked to Configuring Network Services.
Implementing Hybrid Interconnectivity practice questions
Practise PCNE questions linked to Implementing Hybrid Interconnectivity.
Managing, Monitoring, and Optimising Network Operations practice questions
Practise PCNE questions linked to Managing, Monitoring, and Optimising Network Operations.
Designing, Planning, and Prototyping a GCP Network practice questions
Practise PCNE questions linked to Designing, Planning, and Prototyping a GCP Network.
Implementing VPC Instances practice questions
Practise PCNE questions linked to Implementing VPC Instances.
Implementing network security practice questions
Practise PCNE questions linked to Implementing network security.
Implementing a Virtual Private Cloud practice questions
Practise PCNE questions linked to Implementing a Virtual Private Cloud.
PCNE fundamentals practice questions
Practise PCNE questions linked to PCNE fundamentals.
PCNE scenario practice questions
Practise PCNE questions linked to PCNE scenario.
PCNE troubleshooting practice questions
Practise PCNE questions linked to PCNE troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free PCNE 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 PCNE question test?
Implementing Hybrid Interconnectivity — This question tests Implementing Hybrid Interconnectivity — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The passive VLAN attachment does not have BGP session configured with Cloud Router. — For failover to work with active-passive, the passive connection must have its own VLAN attachment and Cloud Router BGP session with the same routes, but with a higher MED value to be less preferred. If the VLAN attachment is not created, there is no path.
What should I do if I get this PCNE question wrong?
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related PCNE OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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 PCNE 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 PCNE 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.