Private Google Access in GCP - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is Private Google Access in Google Cloud?

Private Google Access allows virtual machines without external IP addresses to reach Google APIs and services using internal IP addresses only.

beginner

Why use Private Google Access instead of public internet?

It improves security by keeping traffic within Google's network and avoids exposing VMs to the public internet.

intermediate

How do you enable Private Google Access on a subnet?

You enable it by setting the 'Private Google Access' option to 'On' in the subnet's configuration in the VPC network.

intermediate

Can VMs with external IP addresses use Private Google Access?

Yes, VMs with external IPs can use Private Google Access, but it is primarily designed for VMs without external IPs to access Google services privately.

intermediate

What happens if Private Google Access is disabled on a subnet?

VMs without external IPs in that subnet cannot reach Google APIs or services unless they have other routes or proxies.

What does Private Google Access allow?

A VMs to access the internet through a firewall

B VMs to get public IP addresses automatically

C External users to access private VMs

D VMs without external IPs to access Google APIs privately

Private Google Access lets VMs without external IPs reach Google APIs using internal IPs.

How do you enable Private Google Access?

A Enable it on the subnet in the VPC network settings

B Assign external IPs to all VMs

C Create a firewall rule to allow internet traffic

D Install a VPN on each VM

Private Google Access is enabled per subnet in the VPC network configuration.

Which VMs benefit most from Private Google Access?

A VMs with public IP addresses

B VMs without external IP addresses

C VMs in different cloud providers

D On-premises servers

Private Google Access is for VMs without external IPs to access Google services privately.

What is a key security benefit of Private Google Access?

A Keeps traffic within Google's network without using the public internet

B Allows public internet access to VMs

C Disables firewall rules automatically

D Encrypts VM disks

It keeps traffic inside Google's network, reducing exposure to the public internet.

If Private Google Access is off, what happens to VMs without external IPs?

A They can access Google APIs through the internet

B They get external IPs automatically

C They cannot reach Google APIs or services

D They can access Google APIs only via VPN

Without Private Google Access, VMs without external IPs cannot reach Google services.

Explain what Private Google Access is and why it is useful.

Think about how VMs without public IPs can still reach Google services safely.

Describe how to enable Private Google Access and what happens if it is disabled.

Focus on subnet configuration and VM access behavior.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of Private Google Access in Google Cloud?

easy

A. Provide a VPN connection between Google Cloud and on-premises networks

B. Allow VMs with only private IPs to access Google APIs without using the public internet

C. Allow external users to access Google Cloud resources securely

D. Enable VMs to have public IP addresses automatically

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Private Google Access purpose

   It allows virtual machines without public IP addresses to reach Google APIs and services securely.

2. Step 2: Compare options with this purpose

   Only Allow VMs with only private IPs to access Google APIs without using the public internet describes this feature correctly; others describe unrelated features.

3. Final Answer:

   Allow VMs with only private IPs to access Google APIs without using the public internet -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Private Google Access = Secure private VM API access [OK]

Hint: Private Google Access = private VM access to Google APIs [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Private Google Access with VPN or public IP assignment
• Thinking it allows external user access
• Assuming it provides public IPs automatically

2. Which configuration enables Private Google Access on a subnet in Google Cloud?

easy

A. Set private_ip_google_access = false in the subnet settings

B. Enable firewall rule to allow all traffic

C. Assign a public IP to all VMs in the subnet

D. Set private_ip_google_access = true in the subnet settings

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the correct subnet setting for Private Google Access

   The subnet must have private_ip_google_access set to true to enable this feature.

2. Step 2: Review options for correctness

   Only Set private_ip_google_access = true in the subnet settings correctly sets private_ip_google_access to true; others disable it or are unrelated.

3. Final Answer:

   Set private_ip_google_access = true in the subnet settings -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Enable private_ip_google_access = true [OK]

Hint: Enable private_ip_google_access = true on subnet [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Setting private_ip_google_access to false
• Thinking public IPs are required
• Confusing firewall rules with Private Google Access

3. Given a VM in a subnet with private_ip_google_access = true and no public IP, what happens when it tries to reach https://storage.googleapis.com?

medium

A. The VM accesses the URL through Private Google Access without using the public internet

B. The VM accesses the URL only if a VPN is configured

C. The VM cannot reach the URL because it has no public IP

D. The VM must use a NAT gateway to reach the URL

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Private Google Access behavior

   With private_ip_google_access enabled, VMs without public IPs can reach Google APIs like storage.googleapis.com privately.

2. Step 2: Analyze options based on this behavior

   The VM accesses the URL through Private Google Access without using the public internet correctly describes this private access; others incorrectly deny access or require VPN/NAT.

3. Final Answer:

   The VM accesses the URL through Private Google Access without using the public internet -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Private IP VM + private_ip_google_access = private API access [OK]

Hint: Private IP VM with private_ip_google_access can reach Google APIs [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming no access without public IP
• Thinking VPN or NAT is mandatory
• Confusing Private Google Access with general internet access

4. A subnet has private_ip_google_access set to false. A VM without a public IP in this subnet cannot reach Google APIs. What is the best fix?

medium

A. Create a firewall rule to allow all outbound traffic

B. Assign a public IP to the VM

C. Enable private_ip_google_access = true on the subnet

D. Configure a VPN to Google Cloud

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify cause of no access

   Private Google Access is disabled, so private IP VMs cannot reach Google APIs.

2. Step 2: Choose the best fix

   Enabling private_ip_google_access on the subnet allows private IP VMs to access Google APIs without public IPs.

3. Final Answer:

   Enable private_ip_google_access = true on the subnet -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Enable private_ip_google_access to fix private VM API access [OK]

Hint: Enable private_ip_google_access = true to fix private VM API access [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assigning public IPs unnecessarily
• Adding firewall rules that don't affect Private Google Access
• Thinking VPN is required for Google API access

5. You have two subnets: Subnet A with private_ip_google_access = true and Subnet B with it set to false. A VM in Subnet B without a public IP needs to access Google APIs securely. What is the best approach?

hard

A. Move the VM to Subnet A or enable private_ip_google_access on Subnet B

B. Assign a public IP to the VM in Subnet B

C. Set up a NAT gateway for Subnet B

D. Create a firewall rule allowing access to Google APIs

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand subnet settings impact

   Private Google Access must be enabled on the subnet for private IP VMs to reach Google APIs.

2. Step 2: Evaluate options for secure access

   Moving the VM to Subnet A or enabling private_ip_google_access on Subnet B ensures secure private access without public IPs.

3. Step 3: Consider security and best practice

   Assigning public IPs or NAT gateways exposes the VM to public internet, less secure than Private Google Access.

4. Final Answer:

   Move the VM to Subnet A or enable private_ip_google_access on Subnet B -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Enable private_ip_google_access or move VM for secure private API access [OK]

Hint: Enable private_ip_google_access or move VM to subnet with it enabled [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assigning public IPs unnecessarily
• Relying on firewall rules alone
• Ignoring subnet configuration for Private Google Access