- A
Set up a NAT gateway in the VPC for on-premises traffic
Why wrong: NAT is for internet access, not for private connectivity to Google APIs.
- B
Create a Private Service Connect endpoint for Google APIs (e.g., storage.googleapis.com) in the VPC
PSC endpoints provide private IP addresses for Google APIs that can be accessed from VMs and on-premises via VPN.
- C
Configure firewall rules to allow egress from the VPN gateway to the PSC endpoint's IP
Why wrong: Traffic from on-premises enters via VPN and goes to the PSC endpoint; firewall rules are not needed for this specific path if the default rules allow, but it's not a required step in the design.
- D
Enable Private Google Access on the subnet that hosts the VPN gateway
This allows VMs in the subnet to reach Google APIs via internal IPs, but on-premises traffic still needs routing.
- E
Configure Cloud Router to advertise the PSC endpoint's IP address range to on-premises via BGP
This routes on-premises traffic for Google APIs to the PSC endpoint inside the VPC.
PCSE Configuring Network Security Practice Question
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of configuring network security. 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.
You are designing a private connectivity solution for a Google Cloud project that needs to access Google APIs (e.g., Cloud Storage) without traversing the public internet. The VPC has on-premises connectivity via Cloud VPN. Which THREE steps are required to achieve private, on-premises to Google API access? (Choose 3)
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Create a Private Service Connect endpoint for Google APIs (e.g., storage.googleapis.com) in the VPC
To access Google APIs privately from on-premises via VPN, you need to enable Private Google Access in the VPC subnet, and use Private Service Connect (PSC) endpoints for Google APIs. Route advertisements via Cloud Router ensure on-premises traffic to Google API IP ranges goes to the PSC endpoints. Simply enabling Private Google Access on the subnet allows VMs in that subnet to access Google APIs via the default internet gateway, but on-premises traffic needs to be routed to the VPC and then to the PSC endpoint.
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.
- ✗
Set up a NAT gateway in the VPC for on-premises traffic
Why it's wrong here
NAT is for internet access, not for private connectivity to Google APIs.
- ✓
Create a Private Service Connect endpoint for Google APIs (e.g., storage.googleapis.com) in the VPC
- ✗
Configure firewall rules to allow egress from the VPN gateway to the PSC endpoint's IP
- ✓
Enable Private Google Access on the subnet that hosts the VPN gateway
- ✓
Configure Cloud Router to advertise the PSC endpoint's IP address range to on-premises via BGP
Why this is correct
This routes on-premises traffic for Google APIs to the PSC endpoint inside the VPC.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Visual reference
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 PCSE subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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Configuring Network Security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCSE question test?
Configuring Network Security — This question tests Configuring Network Security — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a Private Service Connect endpoint for Google APIs (e.g., storage.googleapis.com) in the VPC — To access Google APIs privately from on-premises via VPN, you need to enable Private Google Access in the VPC subnet, and use Private Service Connect (PSC) endpoints for Google APIs. Route advertisements via Cloud Router ensure on-premises traffic to Google API IP ranges goes to the PSC endpoints. Simply enabling Private Google Access on the subnet allows VMs in that subnet to access Google APIs via the default internet gateway, but on-premises traffic needs to be routed to the VPC and then to the PSC endpoint.
What should I do if I get this PCSE 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 PCSE 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
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PCSE 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 PCSE exam.
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