PCNSA Device Management and Services Practice Question
An administrator wants to schedule regular configuration backups to an external server. Which THREE methods are valid ways to achieve this? (Choose three.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often assume the firewall has a native CLI command to schedule backups (Option B) or that the built-in cron is user-configurable (Option D), when in fact PAN-OS restricts scheduling to the web UI and Panorama to maintain security and consistency.
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 a script that logs in via SSH and runs 'save config to scp/tftp'
The firewall supports saving configuration backups to external servers via SCP or TFTP using the 'save config to scp/tftp' CLI command. This method can be automated by wrapping the command in a script that runs on an external scheduler (e.g., cron on a Linux host), which then connects to the firewall via SSH to execute the backup. This is a valid, albeit indirect, way to schedule regular backups.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Use a script that logs in via SSH and runs 'save config to scp/tftp'
Why this is correct
Correct: External scripts can perform backups manually.
- ✗
Use the CLI command 'request system backup config schedule'
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: No such CLI command exists.
- ✓
Configure a scheduled backup via the web UI under Device > Setup > Operations
Why this is correct
Correct: There is a 'Scheduled Configuration Export' option.
- ✗
Set a recurring cron job via the firewall's built-in cron
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: The firewall does not expose cron for user-defined jobs.
- ✓
Use Panorama to schedule backups for managed firewalls
Why this is correct
Correct: Panorama can schedule configuration exports for devices.
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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.