- A
Set the Cache-Control header to private
Why wrong: Cache-Control: private prevents CDN caching, but does not provide authorization.
- B
Use signed URLs with a private key
Correct. Signed URLs provide time-limited access to specific URLs.
- C
Use Cloud Armor to restrict access by IP
Why wrong: IP-based restriction does not provide per-URL time-limited access.
- D
Use signed cookies to restrict access
Why wrong: Signed cookies are for multiple URLs, but the question specifies specific URLs.
Question 222 of 1,000
PCNE Configuring Network Services Practice Question
This PCNE practice question tests your understanding of configuring network services. 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.
An organization wants to serve private content via Cloud CDN, ensuring that only authorized users can access cached objects. They need to generate time-limited access for specific URLs. Which method should they use?
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
✓
Use signed URLs with a private key
Signed URLs allow you to grant time-limited access to specific URLs. Signed cookies are for sets of URLs, and Cloud Armor is for WAF, not authorization.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Set the Cache-Control header to private
Why it's wrong here
Cache-Control: private prevents CDN caching, but does not provide authorization.
- ✓
Use signed URLs with a private key
Why this is correct
Correct. Signed URLs provide time-limited access to specific URLs.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Use Cloud Armor to restrict access by IP
Why it's wrong here
IP-based restriction does not provide per-URL time-limited access.
- ✗
Use signed cookies to restrict access
Why it's wrong here
Signed cookies are for multiple URLs, but the question specifies specific URLs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related PCNE questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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Configuring Network Services — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCNE question test?
Configuring Network Services — This question tests Configuring Network Services — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use signed URLs with a private key — Signed URLs allow you to grant time-limited access to specific URLs. Signed cookies are for sets of URLs, and Cloud Armor is for WAF, not authorization.
What should I do if I get this PCNE question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related PCNE questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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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.
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