PCNSA App-ID and Content-ID Practice Question
An organization uses App-ID to allow 'web-browsing' but notices that some web traffic is being blocked. The traffic is HTTP over port 8080. What is a likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often assume App-ID relies on port numbers and that non-standard ports require custom applications, but App-ID identifies applications by content, not port, so the issue is almost always the security rule's application setting.
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
✓
The security rule does not have Application set to 'web-browsing' for that traffic.
If the security rule does not have 'web-browsing' set as the Application, the firewall will not allow HTTP traffic even if the port (8080) is permitted. App-ID identifies the application regardless of port, but the security policy must explicitly allow the application for the traffic to pass. In this case, the traffic is being blocked because the rule either has a different application or no application specified, so the firewall drops it by default.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The 'web-browsing' application does not include HTTP.
Why it's wrong here
It does.
- ✗
A custom application must be created for port 8080.
Why it's wrong here
No, web-browsing works on any port.
- ✓
The security rule does not have Application set to 'web-browsing' for that traffic.
Why this is correct
If the rule only allows web-browsing on port 80/443, it may not match port 8080.
- ✗
App-ID cannot identify HTTP over non-standard ports.
Why it's wrong here
App-ID can identify HTTP on any port.
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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.