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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
admin@PA-3020> show running security-policy
rulebase security rules
rule 1 name "Allow-Sales"
source [ 10.1.1.0/24 ]
destination [ 192.168.1.0/24 ]
application [ ms-sql ]
service [ tcp-1433 ]
action allow
log-start no
rule 2 name "Allow-HR"
source [ 10.1.2.0/24 ]
destination [ 192.168.2.0/24 ]
application [ web-browsing ]
service [ application-default ]
action allow
log-start yes
admin@PA-3020> show session id 12345
Source IP: 10.1.1.50
Destination IP: 192.168.1.100
Application: ssl
Service: tcp-443
admin@PA-3020> show log traffic | match 10.1.1.50
... no results ...
Refer to the exhibit. A user at 10.1.1.50 is unable to connect to 192.168.1.100 on TCP port 443. The traffic log shows no entries for that source IP. Which security rule is expected to match this traffic?
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
admin@PA-3020> show running security-policy
rulebase security rules
rule 1 name "Allow-Sales"
source [ 10.1.1.0/24 ]
destination [ 192.168.1.0/24 ]
application [ ms-sql ]
service [ tcp-1433 ]
action allow
log-start no
rule 2 name "Allow-HR"
source [ 10.1.2.0/24 ]
destination [ 192.168.2.0/24 ]
application [ web-browsing ]
service [ application-default ]
action allow
log-start yes
admin@PA-3020> show session id 12345
Source IP: 10.1.1.50
Destination IP: 192.168.1.100
Application: ssl
Service: tcp-443
admin@PA-3020> show log traffic | match 10.1.1.50
... no results ...
A
Interzone-default
Why wrong: The Interzone-default rule denies interzone traffic by default, but it is not matched because a more specific rule (Rule 1) matches first.
B
Intrazone-default
Why wrong: The Intrazone-default rule applies only to traffic within the same zone, but the source and destination are in different zones.
C
Rule 2 (Allow-HR)
Why wrong: Rule 2 permits traffic from the HR zone, but the source (10.1.1.50) belongs to the Sales zone, so it does not match.
D
Rule 1 (Allow-Sales)
Rule 1 permits traffic from Sales to Servers on TCP port 443, so it matches this traffic. The lack of log entries is due to logging being disabled on this rule.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Rule 1 (Allow-Sales)
Option D (Rule 1 – Allow-Sales) is correct. The source 10.1.1.50 belongs to the Sales zone, and the destination 192.168.1.100 belongs to the Servers zone. This is interzone traffic. Rule 1 explicitly permits traffic from Sales to Servers on TCP port 443, so it matches this traffic. The traffic log shows no entries because logging is disabled on Rule 1. The user's inability to connect is likely due to a server-side issue (e.g., the server not listening on port 443) or a routing problem, not because the firewall is dropping the traffic.
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.
✗
Interzone-default
Why it's wrong here
The Interzone-default rule denies interzone traffic by default, but it is not matched because a more specific rule (Rule 1) matches first.
✗
Intrazone-default
Why it's wrong here
The Intrazone-default rule applies only to traffic within the same zone, but the source and destination are in different zones.
✗
Rule 2 (Allow-HR)
Why it's wrong here
Rule 2 permits traffic from the HR zone, but the source (10.1.1.50) belongs to the Sales zone, so it does not match.
✓
Rule 1 (Allow-Sales)
Why this is correct
Rule 1 permits traffic from Sales to Servers on TCP port 443, so it matches this traffic. The lack of log entries is due to logging being disabled on this rule.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Palo Alto Networks often tests the misconception that a missing log entry means the traffic is dropped by the default rule, but the trap here is that the traffic is actually matched and allowed by an earlier rule (Rule 1) that may have logging disabled, so no log entry appears.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Palo Alto Networks firewalls, security rules are evaluated in order from top to bottom, and the first matching rule is applied. The traffic log records entries only after a rule is matched and the session is established; if no log entry appears, it may indicate the traffic is matched by a rule with logging disabled or is being silently dropped. The interzone-default rule is a hidden rule that denies all interzone traffic not explicitly permitted, but it only activates if no preceding rule matches, so its absence in the log confirms a prior rule (Rule 1) is matching.
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 security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
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 — 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: Rule 1 (Allow-Sales) — Option D (Rule 1 – Allow-Sales) is correct. The source 10.1.1.50 belongs to the Sales zone, and the destination 192.168.1.100 belongs to the Servers zone. This is interzone traffic. Rule 1 explicitly permits traffic from Sales to Servers on TCP port 443, so it matches this traffic. The traffic log shows no entries because logging is disabled on Rule 1. The user's inability to connect is likely due to a server-side issue (e.g., the server not listening on port 443) or a routing problem, not because the firewall is dropping the traffic.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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