easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
PCNSA Practice Question: Deploy a Palo Alto Networks firewall in a…
An administrator needs to deploy a Palo Alto Networks firewall in a location where the network infrastructure does not support routing. The firewall must be transparent to the existing network. Which deployment mode should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse Tap mode with transparent deployment, but Tap mode is passive and cannot enforce security policies inline, whereas virtual wire mode provides full inline inspection while remaining transparent to the network.
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
✓
Virtual wire
Virtual wire mode allows the firewall to be deployed transparently without requiring any routing configuration, as it operates at Layer 2 by binding two interfaces together and forwarding traffic based on MAC addresses. This mode is ideal when the existing network infrastructure does not support routing and the firewall must be invisible to the network, as it does not participate in routing protocols or require IP addresses on the connected interfaces.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
HA mode
Why it's wrong here
HA mode is a configuration for redundancy, not a deployment mode.
- ✓
Virtual wire
Why this is correct
Virtual wire mode (Layer 2) requires no IP configuration and operates transparently.
- ✗
Layer 3
Why it's wrong here
Layer 3 requires routing and IP configuration.
- ✗
Tap mode
Why it's wrong here
Tap mode is passive and does not enforce security policies inline.
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
Go deeper
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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.