- A
Use Application Override with the custom application and specify port 8080.
Why wrong: Application Override forces all traffic on that port to be treated as the specified app, risking misidentification.
- B
Create a custom App-ID signature for the proprietary protocol.
Custom App-ID signatures enable accurate identification of non-standard applications.
- C
Disable App-ID for that security rule to allow all traffic on port 8080.
Why wrong: Disabling App-ID removes application identification entirely.
- D
Create a custom service object for TCP 8080 and add it to a security policy.
Why wrong: Custom service objects only define ports; App-ID still uses default signatures.
Question 229 of 529
PCNSA App-ID and Content-ID Practice Question
This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of app-id and content-id. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A security administrator notices that traffic from a custom application is being incorrectly identified as web-browsing. The application uses a proprietary protocol on TCP port 8080. What is the most efficient way to ensure correct identification without disabling App-ID?
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 custom App-ID signature for the proprietary protocol.
Option B is correct because creating a custom App-ID signature allows the firewall to correctly identify the proprietary protocol by its unique traffic patterns, such as packet payload signatures or behavioral characteristics, without disabling App-ID. This is the most efficient method as it leverages App-ID's existing classification engine to distinguish the custom application from web-browsing, even though it uses TCP port 8080.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use Application Override with the custom application and specify port 8080.
Why it's wrong here
Application Override forces all traffic on that port to be treated as the specified app, risking misidentification.
- ✓
Create a custom App-ID signature for the proprietary protocol.
Why this is correct
Custom App-ID signatures enable accurate identification of non-standard applications.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Disable App-ID for that security rule to allow all traffic on port 8080.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling App-ID removes application identification entirely.
- ✗
Create a custom service object for TCP 8080 and add it to a security policy.
Why it's wrong here
Custom service objects only define ports; App-ID still uses default signatures.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Application Override (which bypasses App-ID) with a custom App-ID signature (which enhances App-ID), leading them to choose option A because it seems simpler, but it actually disables deep inspection and security controls.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
App-ID uses multiple mechanisms to identify applications, including protocol decoding, behavioral analysis, and custom signatures. A custom App-ID signature can be defined using the Palo Alto Networks signature syntax, which matches on specific byte sequences, packet lengths, or transaction patterns within the TCP stream on port 8080. In real-world scenarios, this is critical for proprietary applications that use non-standard ports or mimic other protocols, ensuring accurate visibility and policy enforcement without sacrificing security.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the PCNSA exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
App-ID and Content-ID — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCNSA question test?
App-ID and Content-ID — This question tests App-ID and Content-ID — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a custom App-ID signature for the proprietary protocol. — Option B is correct because creating a custom App-ID signature allows the firewall to correctly identify the proprietary protocol by its unique traffic patterns, such as packet payload signatures or behavioral characteristics, without disabling App-ID. This is the most efficient method as it leverages App-ID's existing classification engine to distinguish the custom application from web-browsing, even though it uses TCP port 8080.
What should I do if I get this PCNSA question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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.
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