Question 1easymultiple choice
Read the full DNS explanation →Question 875 of 1,000
Quick Answer
The answer is to create a DNS database entry for the private domain. While configuring DNS servers under System > DNS enables the FortiGate to resolve public names for outbound traffic, private domains like internal.company.local are not registered in public DNS and thus cannot be resolved by external servers. A DNS database entry makes the FortiGate an authoritative source for that domain, allowing it to answer internal queries locally. On the Fortinet NSE 4 Network Security Professional exam, this tests your understanding of the distinction between recursive DNS resolution for outbound traffic and authoritative resolution for internal zones—a common trap is assuming that simply setting DNS servers will handle all queries. Remember the key difference: public DNS servers resolve external names, while private domains need a local DNS database. A useful memory tip is “Public for outbound, private needs a database.”
NSE4 System and Network Administration Practice Question
This NSE4 practice question tests your understanding of system and network administration. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A FortiGate needs to resolve DNS names for outbound traffic. The administrator configures DNS servers under System > DNS. However, internal DNS queries for private domains fail. What additional configuration is required?
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 DNS database entry for the private domain.
When a FortiGate is configured with DNS servers under System > DNS, it can resolve public DNS names for outbound traffic. However, for private domains (e.g., internal.company.local), the FortiGate cannot resolve these because they are not registered in public DNS. Creating a DNS database entry for the private domain allows the FortiGate to act as an authoritative DNS server for that domain, providing local resolution for internal queries.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the DNS proxy (which forwards queries) with the DNS database (which provides authoritative answers), leading them to select option D instead of A.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The DNS database feature in FortiOS allows the FortiGate to act as an authoritative DNS server for specified zones, responding to queries for private domains without forwarding them upstream. This is particularly useful in split-DNS scenarios where internal resources must be resolved with private IP addresses while external queries use public DNS. The DNS database can be configured with static records or dynamic updates via DDNS, and it supports both forward and reverse lookup zones.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the NSE4 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this NSE4 question test?
System and Network Administration — This question tests System and Network Administration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a DNS database entry for the private domain. — When a FortiGate is configured with DNS servers under System > DNS, it can resolve public DNS names for outbound traffic. However, for private domains (e.g., internal.company.local), the FortiGate cannot resolve these because they are not registered in public DNS. Creating a DNS database entry for the private domain allows the FortiGate to act as an authoritative DNS server for that domain, providing local resolution for internal queries.
What should I do if I get this NSE4 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This NSE4 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Fortinet 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 NSE4 exam.
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