Quick Answer
The answer is that you must update the registrar’s name servers to the Google Cloud DNS name servers. This is because a public managed zone in Cloud DNS is authoritative for your domain only after the delegation chain is complete; the zone provides a set of unique NS records, and until those are configured at your domain registrar, the global DNS system has no way to route queries to Google’s infrastructure. On the Google Professional Cloud Network Engineer exam, this tests your understanding of DNS delegation versus DNS resolution—a common trap is assuming that simply creating the zone and adding records is enough, when in fact the registrar holds the parent zone’s delegation. Remember the key sequence: zone creation yields name servers, then registrar update propagates delegation. A useful memory tip is “Registrar first, records second”—without updating the registrar, your A records are invisible to the internet.
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.
You want to manage DNS records for a domain that you own in Google Cloud DNS. You create a public managed zone and add A records. After waiting several hours, the domain does not resolve. What is the most likely missing step?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Update the registrar's name servers to the Google Cloud DNS name servers.
The domain will not resolve until the registrar points to Google's name servers.
Create a private zone for the domain.
Why wrong: A private zone is for internal VPC resolution.
Enable DNSSEC for the zone.
Why wrong: DNSSEC is not required for basic resolution.
Set up DNS forwarding to Google's public DNS.
Why wrong: Forwarding is not needed.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Update the registrar's name servers to the Google Cloud DNS name servers.
Option B is correct because after creating a public zone, you must update the domain's registrar name servers to point to the Google Cloud DNS name servers assigned to the zone. Option A is wrong because DNSSEC is optional. Option C is wrong because a private zone is for internal DNS. Option D is wrong because forwarding is not required for public resolution.
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.
Update the registrar's name servers to the Google Cloud DNS name servers.
Why this is correct
The domain will not resolve until the registrar points to Google's name servers.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Create a private zone for the domain.
Why it's wrong here
A private zone is for internal VPC resolution.
Enable DNSSEC for the zone.
Why it's wrong here
DNSSEC is not required for basic resolution.
Set up DNS forwarding to Google's public DNS.
Why it's wrong here
Forwarding is not needed.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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
Configuring network services — This question tests Configuring network services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Update the registrar's name servers to the Google Cloud DNS name servers. — Option B is correct because after creating a public zone, you must update the domain's registrar name servers to point to the Google Cloud DNS name servers assigned to the zone. Option A is wrong because DNSSEC is optional. Option C is wrong because a private zone is for internal DNS. Option D is wrong because forwarding is not required for public resolution.
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.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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