Having recently achieved my certification as a Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Network Engineer this month, I was inspired to create a comprehensive guide that streamlines the process, saving you time and effort during your preparation journey.
This guide aims to aid you in your preparation for the Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Network Engineer Exam.
What is Professional Cloud Network Engineer Role ?
A Cloud Network Engineer specializes in crafting and overseeing network frameworks within the Google Cloud environment.
With a minimum of one year of hands-on engagement in Google Cloud, this expert collaborates within networking or cloud squads alongside architects responsible for infrastructure design.
Drawing upon their expertise in implementing Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs), hybrid connectivity, network services, application and container networking, and security for established network designs, this individual ensures the execution of cloud solutions, employing either the command line interface or the user-friendly Google Cloud Console.
Furthermore, proficiency in infrastructure as code (IaC) tools is expected from a Professional Cloud Network Engineer.
What is the Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Network Engineer (PCNE) exam?
The Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Network Engineer exam is a comprehensive assessment that evaluates an individual’s proficiency and expertise in designing, implementing, and managing network architectures within the Google Cloud platform.
This exam is designed to measure a candidate’s knowledge and practical skills related to various networking concepts and technologies
Never lose sight of the core essence of this journey: Learning.
Persist in constructing and experimenting within the Google Cloud, all the while remembering to commemorate and take pride in your achievements.
Register for the Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Network Engineer exam
To register for the Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Network Engineer exam, follow these steps:
Visit the Google Cloud Certification Page: Go to the official Google Cloud certification website (https://cloud.google.com/certification) using your web browser.
Browse Available Certifications: Explore the list of available certifications and locate the “Professional Cloud Network Engineer” certification.
Review Exam Details: Click on the “Professional Cloud Network Engineer” certification to access detailed information about the exam, including its format, objectives, and prerequisites. Ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements.
Register for the Exam: navigate to the “Register” section or a similar option. This will forward you to the “Webassessor” platform .
Create or Log In to Your Google Cloud Webassessor account : If you don’t have a Google account, you’ll need to create one. If you already have an account, log in to it.
Select Testing Method: Choose whether you want to take the exam in a physical testing center or opt for an online proctored exam.
Complete Registration: Follow the prompts to provide the required information, such as your personal details, payment information (if applicable), and any other necessary information.
Review and Confirm: Double-check all the information you’ve entered to ensure accuracy. Confirm your registration and make the payment if required.
Receive Confirmation: After completing the registration process, you’ll receive a confirmation email containing important details about the exam, including the date, time, and any specific instructions.
Professional Cloud Network Engineer– Exam Preparation Guide
This section will go over resources and links that can help you prepare for the PCNE exam better.
PCNE Exam Prerequisites
There no Prerequisites for Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Network Engineer Exam but Google recommends 3+ years of industry experience including 1+ years designing and managing solutions using Google Cloud
PCNE Exam Details
This table explains the Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Network Engineer Exam details :
| Exam format | 50-60 multiple choice and multiple select questions |
| Length | 2 hours |
| Cost | $200 (plus tax where applicable) |
| Languages | English, Japanese |
| Delivery method | a) Take the online-proctored exam from a remote location, review the online testing requirements b) Take the onsite-proctored exam at a testing center, locate a test center near you |
| Prerequisites | None |
| Validity | Two years |
| Renewal | In order to uphold their certified status, candidates are required to undergo recertification. Unless specified otherwise in the comprehensive exam descriptions, all Google Cloud certifications remain valid for a duration of two years from the date of initial certification. To achieve recertification, individuals must retake the exam within the designated recertification eligibility timeframe and attain a passing score. |
| Passing Score | Not defined ( you will simply PASS Record) |
PCNE Exam Syllabus
The Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Network Engineer Exam assesses the candidate’s competencies in five key subject areas.
Designing, planning, and prototyping a Google Cloud network
As a Cloud Network Engineer, it is essential to initiate the Google Cloud network infrastructure design process by conducting a thorough high-level analysis and crafting a comprehensive blueprint for the network framework. Optionally, this phase can involve the prototyping of potential design alternatives. The section presents several key factors to consider, including high availability, failover mechanisms, disaster recovery strategies, DNS approaches, and load balancing considerations.
- Designing an overall network architecture
| High availability, failover, and disaster recovery strategies DNS strategy (e.g., on-premises, Cloud DNS) Security and data exfiltration requirements Load balancing Applying quotas per project and per VPC Hybrid connectivity (e.g., Google private access for hybrid connectivity) Container networking IAM roles SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS services Microsegmentation for security purposes (e.g., using metadata, tags, service accounts) | |
| Documentation | |
https://cloud.google.com/compute/docs/access/iam#predefinedroles https://cloud.google.com/cdn/docs/overview https://cloud.google.com/nat/docs/overview https://cloud.google.com/load-balancing/docs/load-balancing-overview https://cloud.google.com/armor/docs/cloud-armor-overview https://cloud.google.com/network-intelligence-center/docs | |
- Designing Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) instances
| P address management and bring your own IP (BYOIP) Standalone vs. Shared VPC Multiple vs. single Regional vs. multi-regional VPC Network Peering Firewalls (e.g., service account-based, tag-based) Custom routes Using managed services (e.g., Cloud SQL, Memorystore) Third-party device insertion (NGFW) into VPC using multi-NIC and internal load balancer as a next hop or equal-cost multi-path (ECMP) routes |
| Documentation |
https://cloud.google.com/vpc/docs/vpchttps://cloud.google.com/vpc/docs/firewalls https://cloud.google.com/vpc/docs/routes https://cloud.google.com/vpc/docs/shared-vpc https://cloud.google.com/vpc/docs/vpc-peering https://cloud.google.com/network-connectivity/docs/how-to/choose-product https://cloud.google.com/about/locations https://cloud.google.com/compute/docs/regions-zones https://cloud.google.com/compute/docs/regions-zones/global-regional-zonal-resource s https://cloud.google.com/vpc/network-pricing https://cloud.google.com/compute/sla |
- Designing a hybrid and multi-cloud network
| Dedicated Interconnect vs. Partner Interconnect Multi-cloud connectivity Direct Peering IPsec VPN Failover and disaster recovery strategy Regional vs. global VPC routing mode Accessing multiple VPCs from on-premises locations (e.g., Shared VPC, multi-VPC peering topologies) Bandwidth and constraints provided by hybrid connectivity solutions Accessing Google Services/APIs privately from on-premises locations IP address management across on-premises locations and cloud DNS peering and forwarding |
| Documentation |
| https://cloud.google.com/network-connectivity/docs/interconnect/concepts/overview https://cloud.google.com/network-connectivity/docs/interconnect/concepts/dedicatedoverview https://cloud.google.com/network-connectivity/docs/interconnect/concepts/partner-ove rview https://cloud.google.com/network-connectivity/docs/interconnect/concepts/terminology https://cloud.google.com/network-connectivity/docs/interconnect/pricing https://cloud.google.com/network-connectivity/docs/how-to/choose-product#cloud-inte rconnect |
- Designing an IP addressing plan for Google Kubernetes Engine.
| Public and private cluster nodes Control plane public vs. private endpoints Subnets and alias IPs RFC 1918, non-RFC 1918, and privately used public IP (PUPI) address options |
| Documentation |
| https://cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/concepts/types-of-clusters https://cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/concepts/alias-ips https://cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/how-to/alias-ips https://cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/how-to/routes-based-cluster https://cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/concepts/private-cluster-concept https://cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/how-to/private-clusters |
Implementing Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) instances
As a Cloud Network Engineer, it is imperative to possess the ability to translate high-level network designs and resource allocation into practical implementation. This entails creating, establishing connections, and configuring the relevant networking infrastructure. An essential aspect involves carefully orchestrating the distribution of resources across various regions and zones while ensuring that availability, capacity, performance, and cost criteria are met. Additionally, you should excel at delineating the specifics of communication patterns among resources or between resources and external environments ( AWS n On Prem ,etc.).
- Configuring VPCs
- Configuring routing
- Configuring and maintaining Google Kubernetes Engine clusters
- Configuring and managing firewall rules
- Implementing VPC Service Controls
Configuring network services
In the role of a Google Cloud Network Engineer, it’s crucial to have a solid grasp of load balancing, along with autoscaling, as an approach to ensure scalability, resilience, availability, and optimal performance. Moreover, you should possess familiarity with the diverse load balancing options offered within Google Cloud, understand the trade-offs associated with each, and be well-versed in the intricacies of their practical implementation.
- Configuring load balancing
- Configuring Google Cloud Armor policies
- Configuring Cloud CDN
- Configuring and maintaining Cloud DNS
- Configuring Cloud NAT
- Configuring network packet inspection
Implementing hybrid interconnectivity
In the capacity of a Google Cloud Network Engineer, it is vital to be well-acquainted with the advantages associated with Interconnect, along with the various options available and the trade-offs associated with each. Furthermore, you should possess the capability to proficiently manage, set up, and configure the required components within Google Cloud to establish Interconnect connectivity.
- Configuring Cloud Interconnect
- Configuring a site-to-site IPsec VPN
- Configuring Cloud Router.
Managing, monitoring, and optimizing network operations
In your role as a Professional Cloud Network Engineer, it is anticipated that you will contribute to the establishment and implementation of processes for logging and monitoring network activities and status.
- Logging and monitoring with Google Cloud’s operations suite
- Managing and maintaining security
- Maintaining and troubleshooting connectivity issues
- Monitoring, maintaining, and troubleshooting latency and traffic flow.
Professional Cloud Network Engineer Exam Preparation Courses
Google Cloud training
Consider exploring Google Cloud’s learning resources. Google Cloud offers the dynamic Google Cloud Skills Boost program. Simply log in, enroll in your chosen learning path, and embark on your educational journey. In this instance, let’s opt for the Network Engineering Learning Path.
Upon your selection of the learning path, delve into the comprehensive insights presented in the “Preparing for Your Professional Cloud Network Engineer Journey” section. This invaluable free training module not only sheds light on the pivotal exam topics but also provides a clear assessment of your strengths and areas that warrant further attention.
Coursera Training
- Preparing for Your Professional Cloud Network Engineer Journey
- Preparing for Google Cloud Certification: Cloud Network Engineer Professional Certificate
Cloud Guru Training
Pluralsight Training
- Preparing for Your Professional Cloud Network Engineer Journey
- Preparing for Google Cloud Certification: Cloud Network Engineer Professional Certificate
Hands-on Experience with Labs
Within the learning paths, you’ll encounter numerous labs that you should strive to finish. Accomplishing these labs and quests grants you the chance to attain valuable skill badges.
You can also explore https://codelabs.developers.google.com/ and search for networking topics. There, you’ll find a variety of codelabs that you can engage with in your personal environment, allowing you to gain more practical experience. As you learn, take the opportunity to delve into the diverse options available within a service’s configuration.
Professional Cloud Network Engineer Exam Sample Questions
There are sample questions on the certification website that you can check out here.
Professional Cloud Network Engineer Exam FAQs
The GCP Professional Cloud Network Engineer certification is valid for two years. After that, you may need to recertify to demonstrate your updated knowledge.
Yes, you can retake the GCP Professional Cloud Network Engineer exam. However, there are waiting periods and retake policies. Refer to GCP’s official guidelines for specific details.
The exam duration is typically around 2 hours
The exam covers various GCP networking topics, including VPC design, firewall rules, routing, load balancing, hybrid connectivity, Network Service Tiers, and DDoS protection.
You should have hands-on experience with GCP networking services, understanding of networking concepts, and familiarity with GCP products like Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), Cloud Load Balancing, and Cloud VPN.
Conclusion
This GCP Professional Cloud Network Engineer exam study guide will greatly enhance your comprehension of GCP network components and their administration, leading to significant advancements in your career.
For those aspiring to become Cloud GCP Network Engineers, obtaining this certification is a remarkable achievement. Its significance is poised to increase even further as cloud technologies evolve. Therefore, commit your best efforts and prepare diligently.
Are you interested by others certifications Guides , check our Study Guides for Kubernetes :
