PCNSA Device Management and Services Practice Question
An administrator modifies a security policy but the change does not take effect. What must the administrator do?
⚠ Common exam trap
Palo Alto Networks often tests the misconception that saving a configuration (e.g., via 'save config' or clicking Save) is sufficient to apply changes, but in Palo Alto firewalls, a commit is mandatory to move changes from candidate to active state.
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
✓
Commit the configuration.
In Palo Alto Networks firewalls, configuration changes are made in a candidate configuration that is not active until explicitly committed. The administrator must commit the configuration to apply the changes to the running configuration and enforce the new security policy. Without a commit, the modification remains pending and does not affect traffic.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Commit the configuration.
Why this is correct
Changes must be committed to become active.
- ✗
Import the configuration.
Why it's wrong here
Importing configuration is not related to applying changes.
- ✗
Save the configuration.
Why it's wrong here
Saving stores the candidate config but does not activate it.
- ✗
Reboot the firewall.
Why it's wrong here
Rebooting does not apply uncommitted changes.
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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.