The answer is the forwarding rule, backend service, and health check. These three components are required when configuring an internal TCP/UDP load balancer because the forwarding rule defines the internal virtual IP (VIP) and protocol, the backend service specifies the instance group and port mapping, and the health check monitors the readiness of backend instances to ensure traffic is only sent to healthy targets. On the Google Professional Cloud Network Engineer exam, this question tests your understanding of the fundamental building blocks for internal load balancing, often appearing as a multi-select trap where candidates mistakenly include an external IP address or SSL certificate. A common pitfall is confusing internal load balancer requirements with those of external HTTPS load balancers, which require additional components like SSL certificates. Remember the memory tip: “F-B-H” for Forwarding rule, Backend service, and Health check—these three form the core of any internal TCP/UDP load balancer configuration.
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.
Which THREE components are required when configuring an internal TCP/UDP load balancer? (Choose THREE.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Health check
An internal load balancer requires a backend service (Option A) to define the instance group and port mapping, a health check (Option B) to monitor backend health, and a forwarding rule (Option C) to assign the internal VIP. Option D is incorrect because internal LBs use internal IP addresses. Option E is only needed for HTTPS external LBs.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Health check
Why this is correct
Health checks determine which backends receive traffic.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Backend service
Why this is correct
The backend service configures the instance group, port, and traffic distribution.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
External IP address
Why it's wrong here
Internal load balancers use internal IP addresses, not external.
✗
SSL certificate
Why it's wrong here
SSL certificates are needed only for HTTPS proxies, not for internal TCP/UDP load balancing.
✓
Forwarding rule
Why this is correct
The forwarding rule defines the internal IP address and port for the load balancer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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.
Configuring network services — This question tests Configuring network services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Health check — An internal load balancer requires a backend service (Option A) to define the instance group and port mapping, a health check (Option B) to monitor backend health, and a forwarding rule (Option C) to assign the internal VIP. Option D is incorrect because internal LBs use internal IP addresses. Option E is only needed for HTTPS external LBs.
What should I do if I get this PCNE question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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