Cybersecurity-Apprentice Network Security Practice Question
An administrator wants to configure High Availability (HA) Active/Passive on two firewalls. Which THREE prerequisites must be verified before enabling HA? (Choose three)
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
✓
Both firewalls must run the exact same PAN-OS software version.
HA Active/Passive requires identical firewall models, matching PAN-OS software versions, and dedicated physical HA ports (HA1/HA2).
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Both firewalls must run the exact same PAN-OS software version.
Why this is correct
Software versions must match between HA peers.
- ✓
Dedicated physical HA ports (HA1 and HA2) must be available for state synchronization and heartbeats.
Why this is correct
Dedicated HA connections are required for control and session sync.
- ✗
Both firewalls must have distinct serial numbers and separate licensing.
Why it's wrong here
Serial numbers are unique per hardware appliance, but licensing can be shared or synchronized via support portal, though separate device licenses are normal. However, distinct serial numbers is a given hardware reality, but let's evaluate standard HA prerequisites.
- ✗
All data interfaces must be configured as DHCP clients.
Why it's wrong here
HA interfaces do not require DHCP; static IP addressing is standard for HA links.
- ✓
Both firewalls must be the exact same hardware model.
Why this is correct
Active/Passive HA requires identical hardware models.
About these practice questions
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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.