PCNSA Device Management and Services Practice Question
An administrator needs to quickly back up the device configuration to facilitate restoration after a hardware failure. Which method ensures the most reliable restoration?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse a simple configuration export (like 'copy running-config') with a true backup mechanism, not realizing that only a named-config-snapshot provides a versioned, externally storable file that can be reliably restored to a different hardware unit.
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
✓
Use the CLI command 'save named-config-snapshot' and store the file externally
The 'save named-config-snapshot' command creates a complete, versioned snapshot of the device's configuration that can be stored externally and restored independently of the running or startup configuration. This method ensures the most reliable restoration after hardware failure because the snapshot file is a self-contained backup that includes all configuration elements, unlike a simple running-config export which may miss dynamic or runtime-only settings.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Export the running configuration to a USB drive
Why it's wrong here
USB may not be available in all models.
- ✓
Use the CLI command 'save named-config-snapshot' and store the file externally
Why this is correct
This creates a complete configuration snapshot for restore.
- ✗
Save the running configuration via CLI
Why it's wrong here
Running config is volatile and not a full backup.
- ✗
Generate a tech support file
Why it's wrong here
Tech support includes logs, not just config.
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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.