- A
System log
Why wrong: System log covers general system events, not commit failures.
- B
Config log
Config log contains commit results and configuration errors.
- C
Traffic log
Why wrong: Traffic log shows network traffic flows.
- D
Threat log
Why wrong: Threat log shows security threats detected.
Question 243 of 529
PCNSA Device Management and Services Practice Question
This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of device management and services. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
An administrator upgrades a firewall from PAN-OS 9.1 to 10.0, but a subsequent commit fails. Which log should the administrator examine first to find the cause of the failure?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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
✓
Config log
The config log records all configuration changes and commit attempts. When a commit fails after an upgrade, the config log provides details about configuration validation errors, dependency issues, or incompatible settings that caused the failure. Therefore, the administrator should examine the config log first to identify the root cause.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
System log
Why it's wrong here
System log covers general system events, not commit failures.
- ✓
Config log
Why this is correct
Config log contains commit results and configuration errors.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Traffic log
Why it's wrong here
Traffic log shows network traffic flows.
- ✗
Threat log
Why it's wrong here
Threat log shows security threats detected.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates may mistakenly think the system log is the best place to look for commit failure details because it records operational events, but the config log provides specific configuration validation errors that cause commit failures.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Traffic log shows network traffic flows.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
During a commit, PAN-OS validates the entire candidate configuration against the running configuration and the new PAN-OS version's schema. If a parameter has been deprecated or its allowed values changed between 9.1 and 10.0, the commit will fail with a specific error message in the system log (e.g., 'Commit failed: invalid value for <parameter>'). The config log only shows what was changed and by whom, not the validation errors that occur during the commit process itself.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the PCNSA exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Device Management and Services — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Device Management and Services practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCNSA question test?
Device Management and Services — This question tests Device Management and Services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Config log — The config log records all configuration changes and commit attempts. When a commit fails after an upgrade, the config log provides details about configuration validation errors, dependency issues, or incompatible settings that caused the failure. Therefore, the administrator should examine the config log first to identify the root cause.
What should I do if I get this PCNSA question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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.
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