easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
PCNSA Practice Question: A company uses Active Directory for user…
A company uses Active Directory for user authentication. They want to enforce security policies based on user identity. What is the required first step to enable User-ID on the Palo Alto Networks firewall?
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
✓
Configure a server monitoring profile to connect to the domain controller.
The first step to enable User-ID on a Palo Alto Networks firewall when using Active Directory is to configure a server monitoring profile that connects to the domain controller. This allows the firewall to retrieve user-to-IP mappings from the AD security event logs. Option A is incorrect because an LDAP server profile is used for retrieving user attributes (like group membership) after the mapping is established, not for the initial mapping. Option B is incorrect because GlobalProtect is a client-based VPN solution that can provide user identity but is not required for internal AD integration. Option D is incorrect because Captive Portal is an authentication method that can be used for user identification but is not the first step when AD is already in place; the server monitoring profile is the foundational step.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Add an LDAP server profile to authenticate users.
Why it's wrong here
LDAP is used for user authentication (e.g., for captive portal), not for passive user mapping.
- ✗
Deploy GlobalProtect agents on all endpoints.
Why it's wrong here
GlobalProtect is not required for internal User-ID; AD polling can be used.
- ✓
Configure a server monitoring profile to connect to the domain controller.
Why this is correct
The firewall polls the domain controller to collect user logon events and map users to IP addresses.
- ✗
Enable captive portal on the internal zone.
Why it's wrong here
Captive portal is used for active authentication, not passive mapping from AD logs.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 516 original PCNSA practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PCNSA 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 PCNSA exam.