The answer is a DNS inbound server policy. This configuration is correct because it establishes a dedicated inbound endpoint in Google Cloud that listens for DNS queries forwarded from an on-premises resolver, allowing those queries to reach Cloud DNS and resolve private zone names that are not publicly accessible. For the Google Professional Cloud Network Engineer exam, this scenario tests your understanding of hybrid DNS resolution paths, where the critical distinction is that an inbound server policy handles queries coming *into* Cloud DNS from on-premises, while an outbound policy handles queries going *from* Cloud DNS to on-premises. A common trap is confusing the direction of the policy—remember that “inbound” means traffic entering Google Cloud from your network. To lock it in, use the memory tip: “Inbound brings on-prem queries in; outbound sends Cloud queries out.”
PCNE Configuring network services Practice Question
This PCNE practice question tests your understanding of configuring network services. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 forward DNS queries from their on-premises network to Google Cloud for resolution of private zone names. Which configuration is required?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
DNS inbound server policy
Option B is correct because a DNS inbound server policy allows an on-premises DNS resolver to forward queries to Google Cloud, enabling resolution of private zone names. This policy creates a forwarding path from on-premises to Cloud DNS using a specific inbound endpoint, which is required for hybrid cloud DNS resolution.
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.
✗
DNS peering
Why it's wrong here
DNS peering is for resolving between VPCs, not for inbound forwarding from on-premises.
✓
DNS inbound server policy
Why this is correct
DNS inbound server policy allows on-premises resolvers to forward queries to Cloud DNS over VPN/Interconnect.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
DNS forwarding zone
Why it's wrong here
DNS forwarding zone is for forwarding queries from Google Cloud to on-premises, not the reverse.
✗
Managed private zone
Why it's wrong here
A managed private zone defines DNS records but does not enable inbound forwarding.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse the direction of DNS forwarding—assuming a forwarding zone (which sends queries from Cloud to on-premises) is the same as an inbound policy (which receives queries from on-premises)—and overlook that the question specifies forwarding from on-premises to Google Cloud.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A DNS inbound server policy works by creating an inbound endpoint with a regional internal IP address in a VPC, which on-premises DNS servers can target via a conditional forwarder. The policy binds to a managed private zone, allowing Cloud DNS to respond to queries for that zone from external resolvers. This setup is critical in hybrid scenarios where on-premises resources need to resolve Google Cloud private DNS names without exposing them to the public internet.
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 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
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.
Configuring network services — This question tests Configuring network services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: DNS inbound server policy — Option B is correct because a DNS inbound server policy allows an on-premises DNS resolver to forward queries to Google Cloud, enabling resolution of private zone names. This policy creates a forwarding path from on-premises to Cloud DNS using a specific inbound endpoint, which is required for hybrid cloud DNS resolution.
What should I do if I get this PCNE 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.
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Question Discussion
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