SecOps-Architect Practice Question: Palo Alto Networks Product Integration And Architecture
An architect is configuring High Availability (HA) on a pair of Palo Alto Networks firewalls. Which TWO prerequisites must be met before enabling HA on the firewalls? (Choose two)
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 be running the exact same PAN-OS software version.
HA peers must have identical hardware/VM models, identical PAN-OS software versions, matching license configurations, and dedicated HA cable connections.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Management interfaces must be configured on completely different subnet masks with mismatched default gateways.
Why it's wrong here
Management networks should be properly configured for administrative access, and HA state sync relies on dedicated HA ports.
- ✓
Both firewalls must be running the exact same PAN-OS software version.
Why this is correct
HA peers must run identical PAN-OS versions to ensure configuration and state compatibility.
- ✗
Both firewalls must have different models (e.g., PA-3220 paired with PA-5220).
Why it's wrong here
HA peers must be the exact same hardware or VM model.
- ✓
Both firewalls must have identical license and support subscriptions installed.
Why this is correct
Feature licenses must match between HA peers to prevent operational asymmetry.
- ✗
HA ports must be connected to the internet via public IP addresses.
Why it's wrong here
HA ports are direct peer-to-peer connections and do not need public IP addresses.
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 SecOps-Architect 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 SecOps-Architect exam.