Quick Answer
The answer is that the VPCs must have non-overlapping IP ranges. This requirement exists because VPC Network Peering establishes a direct, private connection between two networks, and overlapping CIDR blocks would create routing ambiguity, preventing the Google Cloud infrastructure from determining which network should receive a given packet. On the Google Professional Cloud Network Engineer exam, this concept tests your understanding of fundamental peering constraints, often appearing as a distractor where overlapping ranges are presented as acceptable or where a Cloud VPN is incorrectly suggested as a workaround. A common trap is assuming peering requires the same region or organization, but it does not—only the IP ranges must be unique. Remember the memory tip: "Peering needs clearing—no overlapping hearing," meaning the routes must be distinct for the networks to communicate properly.
This PCNE practice question tests your understanding of implementing a virtual private cloud. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 wants to connect two VPC networks using VPC Network Peering. What is required for this setup?
A Cloud VPN tunnel must be established.
Why wrong: Peering is direct without VPN.
Both VPCs must belong to the same organization.
Why wrong: Peering can be set up across different organizations.
The VPCs must have non-overlapping IP ranges.
Overlapping IP ranges cause routing conflicts.
Both VPCs must be in the same region.
Why wrong: Peering is global and can connect VPCs in different regions.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The VPCs must have non-overlapping IP ranges.
VPC Network Peering requires that the IP ranges of the peered networks do not overlap. Option B is correct. Option A is wrong because peering is not dependent on region. Option C is wrong because Cloud VPN is a separate technology. Option D is wrong because peering can be within the same organization or across different organizations.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
A Cloud VPN tunnel must be established.
Why it's wrong here
Peering is direct without VPN.
Both VPCs must belong to the same organization.
Why it's wrong here
Peering can be set up across different organizations.
The VPCs must have non-overlapping IP ranges.
Why this is correct
Overlapping IP ranges cause routing conflicts.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Both VPCs must be in the same region.
Why it's wrong here
Peering is global and can connect VPCs in different regions.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
What to study next
Identify which PCNE exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Implementing a Virtual Private Cloud — This question tests Implementing a Virtual Private Cloud — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The VPCs must have non-overlapping IP ranges. — VPC Network Peering requires that the IP ranges of the peered networks do not overlap. Option B is correct. Option A is wrong because peering is not dependent on region. Option C is wrong because Cloud VPN is a separate technology. Option D is wrong because peering can be within the same organization or across different organizations.
Identify which PCNE exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. An engineer runs 'gcloud compute networks peerings list' and sees state 'INACTIVE' for a peering connection. Which is the most likely cause?
hardWhy A: Overlapping subnet CIDRs cause the peering to be INACTIVE.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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.
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