PCNSA Device Management and Services Practice Question
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. ``` > show system services status Service Status DNS proxy running NTP stopped SNMP running Syslog running ```
An administrator notices that the firewall's time is incorrect. Based on the exhibit, what is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse services like DNS, SNMP, or Syslog with time synchronization, but only NTP directly manages the system clock.
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
✓
NTP service is stopped
The firewall's time is incorrect because the NTP service is stopped. NTP (Network Time Protocol) is responsible for synchronizing the system clock with an external time source. Without NTP, the firewall relies on its internal hardware clock, which can drift over time, leading to an incorrect time.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
DNS proxy is running
Why it's wrong here
DNS proxy status does not affect time.
- ✗
Management service is down
Why it's wrong here
Not shown and not directly cause.
- ✗
SNMP is running
Why it's wrong here
SNMP is unrelated to time synchronization.
- ✗
Syslog is running
Why it's wrong here
Syslog is for logging, not time.
- ✓
NTP service is stopped
Why this is correct
NTP must be running for time sync.
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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.