The correct configuration is to create a DNS response policy in the Shared VPC host project and associate it with the service project's VPC. This works because a DNS response policy acts as a filter that controls which VPC networks can resolve a private zone, allowing you to restrict resolution to a specific service project even when the zone itself is hosted in the shared environment. On the Google Professional Cloud Network Engineer exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to isolate DNS resolution within a Shared VPC architecture—a common trap is assuming that placing the zone in the service project or using an inbound server policy will suffice, but those options either fail to restrict access or address on-premises forwarding, not VPC-level control. Remember the key distinction: a response policy is for per-VPC access control, while a forwarding policy is for hybrid connectivity. Memory tip: think of a DNS response policy as a bouncer at a private club—it checks the VPC’s ID at the door and only lets the right network in.
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 multinational company has a Shared VPC environment with multiple service projects. They need to allow a specific service project to use its own Cloud DNS private zone that resolves to internal IPs in the Shared VPC. Which configuration ensures this without exposing the zone to other projects?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a DNS response policy in the Shared VPC host project and associate it with the service project's VPC.
Option A is correct: DNS response policies allow controlling DNS resolution per VPC. By creating a response policy in the host project and associating it with the service project's VPC, only that project can use the private zone. Option B places the zone in the service project but inbound server policy is for on-premises resolution; Option C would expose the zone to all projects; Option D adds unnecessary complexity.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 private zone in the service project and use an inbound server policy.
Why it's wrong here
Inbound server policy is designed for on-premises DNS resolution, not for cross-project access.
✗
Use VPC peering and allow the service project to manage DNS records.
Why it's wrong here
VPC peering does not automatically enable cross-project DNS resolution.
✗
Grant the service project access to the Shared VPC's private zone via IAM roles.
Why it's wrong here
IAM roles control administrative access, but the zone would still resolve for any VPC in the host project.
✓
Create a DNS response policy in the Shared VPC host project and associate it with the service project's VPC.
Why this is correct
Response policies enable selective DNS resolution for specific VPC networks.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related PCNE NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Configuring network services — This question tests Configuring network services — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a DNS response policy in the Shared VPC host project and associate it with the service project's VPC. — Option A is correct: DNS response policies allow controlling DNS resolution per VPC. By creating a response policy in the host project and associating it with the service project's VPC, only that project can use the private zone. Option B places the zone in the service project but inbound server policy is for on-premises resolution; Option C would expose the zone to all projects; Option D adds unnecessary complexity.
What should I do if I get this PCNE question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related PCNE NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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