Quick Answer
The answer is to use Cloud VPN with source NAT on the on-premises side. This approach resolves the conflict of overlapping IP ranges on-premises to GCP by translating the on-premises source addresses into a non-overlapping range before the traffic enters the Google Cloud VPC, allowing the VPN tunnel to route packets correctly without routing ambiguity. On the Google Professional Cloud Network Engineer exam, this scenario tests your understanding of hybrid connectivity design patterns, specifically how to handle IP collisions without redesigning the entire network—a common trap is assuming VPC peering or dedicated interconnect can solve the issue, but those options fail because they require unique address spaces. The key memory tip is "NAT before the tunnel": if your ranges clash, translate the source on the side that initiates the connection, ensuring the VPC sees only unique IPs.
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.
A company needs to connect on-premises to Google Cloud with overlapping IP ranges. The on-premises network uses 10.0.0.0/16 and the VPC uses 10.0.0.0/16. What is the best approach?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Use Cloud NAT.
Why wrong: Cloud NAT is for outbound internet, not site-to-site.
Use VPC peering.
Why wrong: VPC peering requires unique IP ranges.
Use Private Google Access.
Why wrong: Private Google Access does not solve overlapping IPs.
Use Cloud VPN with source NAT on the on-premises side.
Source NAT allows overlapping IPs by translating them.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Use Cloud VPN with source NAT on the on-premises side.
Cloud VPN with source NAT on the on-premises side translates overlapping addresses.
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
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Use Cloud NAT.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud NAT is for outbound internet, not site-to-site.
Use VPC peering.
Why it's wrong here
VPC peering requires unique IP ranges.
Use Private Google Access.
Why it's wrong here
Private Google Access does not solve overlapping IPs.
Use Cloud VPN with source NAT on the on-premises side.
Common exam traps
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
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.
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
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
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.
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FAQ
Implementing a Virtual Private Cloud — This question tests Implementing a Virtual Private Cloud — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: Use Cloud VPN with source NAT on the on-premises side. — Cloud VPN with source NAT on the on-premises side translates overlapping addresses.
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.
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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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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