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.
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?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable Private Google Access on the VPC subnet where the VM resides.
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.
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 VMs without external IPs, not for on-premises.
✓
Enable Private Google Access on the VPC subnet where the VM resides.
Why this is correct
Private Google Access allows on-premises to access Google APIs and services, but for internal IP access, the VPN provides routing.
Configure Cloud DNS forwarding to the on-premises DNS servers.
Why it's wrong here
DNS forwarding is for name resolution, not direct access.
Common exam traps
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 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
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: Enable Private Google Access on the VPC subnet where the VM resides. — 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.
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.
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Question Discussion
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