PCNSA Device Management and Services Practice Question
A security engineer needs to ensure that all traffic from the internal network to the internet is inspected by the firewall. The firewall is deployed in virtual wire mode (Layer 2) with subinterfaces. Which configuration is required to achieve this?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse NAT or decryption as the primary mechanism for traffic inspection, but in Palo Alto Networks firewalls, security policies are the fundamental control that enables inspection and logging of traffic.
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 security policy rule that allows traffic from the internal zone to the external zone
In a virtual wire deployment (which operates at Layer 2), traffic inspection is still governed by security policy rules. A rule allowing traffic from the internal zone to the external zone ensures that all outbound traffic is evaluated and inspected by the firewall. Security policies are the primary mechanism for controlling and logging traffic, regardless of the deployment mode.
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 security policy rule that allows traffic from the internal zone to the external zone
Why this is correct
Security policies enforce inspection and control.
- ✗
Define a NAT policy to translate internal IPs to the external interface
Why it's wrong here
NAT does not enable inspection; it translates addresses.
- ✗
Enable SSL decryption on the firewall
Why it's wrong here
Decryption is for encrypted traffic, not a requirement for general inspection.
- ✗
Configure a virtual wire between the internal and external interfaces
Why it's wrong here
Virtual wire is for transparent mode, not layer 3.
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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.