This NSE4 practice question tests your understanding of authentication and vpn. 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.
An administrator configures an SSL VPN portal with web mode and split tunneling enabled. Remote users can access internal web applications but cannot reach the internet through the VPN. What needs to be checked?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The firewall policy allowing internet traffic from the SSL VPN interface is missing or incorrect.
Split tunneling allows internet-bound traffic to bypass the VPN. If users cannot reach the internet, it could be because the split tunneling exclusion list includes internet destinations, or the DNS resolution is not working. However, the most common cause is that the firewall policy for internet traffic is missing or blocking.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The remote user's browser does not support SSL VPN.
The firewall policy allowing internet traffic from the SSL VPN interface is missing or incorrect.
Why this is correct
Even with split tunneling, internet traffic goes out through the FortiGate's WAN; a policy must allow this.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
The split tunneling setting is disabled.
Why it's wrong here
If disabled, all traffic goes through VPN; internet would still go through FortiGate, not bypass.
✗
The SSL VPN portal is configured in web mode only; tunnel mode is required for internet access.
Why it's wrong here
Web mode only allows web apps; but split tunneling is a tunnel mode feature; web mode does not use split tunneling.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related NSE4 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Authentication and VPN — This question tests Authentication and VPN — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The firewall policy allowing internet traffic from the SSL VPN interface is missing or incorrect. — Split tunneling allows internet-bound traffic to bypass the VPN. If users cannot reach the internet, it could be because the split tunneling exclusion list includes internet destinations, or the DNS resolution is not working. However, the most common cause is that the firewall policy for internet traffic is missing or blocking.
What should I do if I get this NSE4 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related NSE4 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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