PCNE Implementing a Virtual Private Cloud Practice Question
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.
An organization uses Shared VPC with multiple service projects. They want to ensure that only certain service projects can use a specific subnet. How can this be achieved?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use IAM roles on the subnet to grant access to specific service projects.
Option A is correct because Shared VPC subnet-level IAM allows granting access to specific service projects. Option B is wrong because firewall rules with service accounts control traffic, not subnet access. Option C is wrong because network tags are used for firewall rules, not subnet permissions. Option D is wrong because secondary IP ranges do not control project access.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Use VPC subnet secondary IP ranges.
Why it's wrong here
Secondary IP ranges are for additional IP space, not for access control.
✓
Use IAM roles on the subnet to grant access to specific service projects.
Why this is correct
Subnet-level IAM allows fine-grained access control to service projects.
Tags are for firewall rule targeting, not for controlling subnet usage by projects.
✗
Use VPC firewall rules with service accounts to restrict access.
Why it's wrong here
Firewall rules control network traffic, not subnet assignment permissions.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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 block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PCNE subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Implementing a Virtual Private Cloud — This question tests Implementing a Virtual Private Cloud — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use IAM roles on the subnet to grant access to specific service projects. — Option A is correct because Shared VPC subnet-level IAM allows granting access to specific service projects. Option B is wrong because firewall rules with service accounts control traffic, not subnet access. Option C is wrong because network tags are used for firewall rules, not subnet permissions. Option D is wrong because secondary IP ranges do not control project access.
What should I do if I get this PCNE question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PCNE subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Question Discussion
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