Cybersecurity-Apprentice Network Fundamentals Practice Question
An administrator has configured BGP on a Palo Alto Networks virtual router, but the BGP peers are stuck in the 'Idle' state. What is the most likely configuration error causing this status?
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
✓
An incorrect peer AS number or incorrect peer IP address configuration
A BGP peer stuck in 'Idle' often indicates that the peer IP address is incorrect, the peering interface is down, or routing to the peer cannot be established.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
An incorrect peer AS number or incorrect peer IP address configuration
Why this is correct
Incorrect peer IP addresses or configuration errors prevent the TCP connection from initiating, keeping BGP in the Idle state.
- ✗
An AS-path loop detection trigger
Why it's wrong here
AS-path loop detection affects routes being advertised, not the establishment of the peering session in Idle state.
- ✗
MD5 authentication password mismatch during OPEN message exchange
Why it's wrong here
MD5 authentication failures prevent TCP connection establishment, but a mismatch typically manifests as Connect/Active state looping rather than Idle depending on TCP handshake status.
- ✗
BGP route reflection timer expiration
Why it's wrong here
Route reflection settings affect route propagation, not basic TCP/BGP peering state establishment.
About these practice questions
This Cybersecurity-Apprentice question is part of Courseiva's 177-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official Palo Alto Networks exam blueprint
This Cybersecurity-Apprentice practice question is part of Courseiva's free Palo Alto Networks 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 Cybersecurity-Apprentice exam.