The correct answer is to enable Private Google Access on the VPC subnet that hosts the interconnect attachment and to configure custom route advertisements for the 199.36.153.4/30 and 199.36.153.8/30 ranges used by restricted.googleapis.com. Private Google Access for on-premises via Cloud Interconnect works by allowing on-premises hosts to reach Google APIs and services using internal RFC 1918 IP addresses, but only if the VPC subnet’s Private Google Access setting is turned on and the correct, non-default IP ranges are advertised over the interconnect. On the Google Professional Cloud Network Engineer exam, this question tests your understanding that Cloud NAT and Private Service Connect serve different purposes—NAT is for outbound internet from VMs without external IPs, and Private Service Connect is for accessing managed services via endpoints. A common trap is thinking you need DNS forwarding, but Private Google Access handles DNS resolution automatically. Memory tip: remember the two key numbers—enable on the subnet, and advertise the two /30 ranges for restricted.googleapis.com.
PCNE Configuring network services Practice Question
This PCNE practice question tests your understanding of configuring network services. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 TWO actions should you take to configure Private Google Access for on-premises hosts connected via Cloud Interconnect?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Advertise the reserved IP ranges (199.36.153.4/30, 199.36.153.8/30) to the on-premises router via BGP.
Correct answers: B (Enable Private Google Access on the VPC subnet) and D (Configure custom route advertisement to include the 199.36.153.4/30 and 199.36.153.8/30 ranges for restricted.googleapis.com). Option A is wrong because Cloud NAT is for VMs without external IPs. Option C is wrong because Private Service Connect is for managed services, not for general Private Google Access. Option E is wrong because DNS resolution is done via Private Google Access; forwarding is not required.
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.
✗
Configure Cloud NAT for the on-premises network.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud NAT is for outbound traffic from VMs, not on-premises.
✗
Configure DNS forwarding to 8.8.8.8.
Why it's wrong here
DNS resolution for Private Google Access uses the VPC DNS; forwarding is not needed.
✓
Advertise the reserved IP ranges (199.36.153.4/30, 199.36.153.8/30) to the on-premises router via BGP.
Why this is correct
These ranges are used for Private Google Access for on-premises.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
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.
Configuring network services — This question tests Configuring network services — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Advertise the reserved IP ranges (199.36.153.4/30, 199.36.153.8/30) to the on-premises router via BGP. — Correct answers: B (Enable Private Google Access on the VPC subnet) and D (Configure custom route advertisement to include the 199.36.153.4/30 and 199.36.153.8/30 ranges for restricted.googleapis.com). Option A is wrong because Cloud NAT is for VMs without external IPs. Option C is wrong because Private Service Connect is for managed services, not for general Private Google Access. Option E is wrong because DNS resolution is done via Private Google Access; forwarding is not required.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. You need to allow on-premises servers to access a Google Cloud VM's internal IP without using a public IP. The on-premises network is connected via Cloud VPN. What configuration is required on the Google Cloud side?
easy
A.Configure Cloud NAT for the on-premises network.
✓ B.Enable Private Google Access on the VPC subnet where the VM resides.
C.Assign a global static external IP to the VM.
D.Configure Cloud DNS forwarding to the on-premises DNS servers.
Why B: Option B is correct because Private Google Access for on-premises (via VPN/Interconnect) requires setting up a Private Service Connect endpoint or simply enabling Private Google Access on the subnet and ensuring routes are advertised. However, the simplest method is to enable Private Google Access on the VPC subnet (or the whole VPC) and ensure the on-premises network can reach the internal IP directly via VPN routes. Option A is wrong because Cloud NAT is for outbound only. Option C is wrong because a global IP is not needed. Option D is wrong because Cloud DNS is not directly required.
Variation 2. Which TWO network services are required to enable private Google access for on-premises hosts using a Dedicated Interconnect connection? (Choose two.)
medium
✓ A.Cloud Router with BGP
B.Cloud NAT
C.VPC Flow Logs
✓ D.Private Service Access (PSA) / Private Google Access for on-premises
E.Cloud VPN
Why A: Cloud Router with BGP is required because Dedicated Interconnect uses BGP sessions between the on-premises router and Google's edge router to exchange routes. Without BGP, the on-premises network cannot advertise or receive the routes necessary for private Google access, such as the 199.36.153.4/30 or 199.36.153.8/30 ranges used for Private Google Access for on-premises.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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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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