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PCNSA Practice Question: A network administrator wants to allow FTP…

A network administrator wants to allow FTP traffic from the internal network (zone: trust) to an external server (zone: untrust) while ensuring that the firewall can inspect the FTP control and data channels. Which security rule configuration is required?

⚠ Common exam trap

Many candidates assume simply setting the application to 'ftp' is sufficient, but they overlook the need to explicitly enable FTP Alg to handle the dynamic data channel negotiation required for full inspection.

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

✓

Create a rule with application 'ftp' and enable 'FTP Alg' in the Application Override settings

FTP uses separate control (TCP 21) and data channels, and the firewall must inspect both to enforce security policies. Enabling 'FTP Alg' in the Application Override settings allows the Palo Alto Networks firewall to dynamically open pinholes for the data channel and perform deep inspection of FTP commands, ensuring proper stateful handling of active and passive modes.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

  • ✗

    Create a rule with service 'tcp-21' and application 'any'

    Why it's wrong here

    This only allows control channel; data channel on random ports may be blocked.

  • ✗

    Create a rule with application 'ftp' and disable Application Override

    Why it's wrong here

    Without Application Override, the firewall may not properly associate data channels.

  • ✓

    Create a rule with application 'ftp' and enable 'FTP Alg' in the Application Override settings

    Why this is correct

    FTP ALG ensures the firewall can inspect FTP control and negotiate data channel inspection.

  • ✗

    Create a rule with application 'ftp' and service 'application-default'

    Why it's wrong here

    Application 'ftp' does not inherently handle dynamic data channel inspection without ALG support.

About these practice questions

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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.