The correct configuration is a security policy rule with source zone trust, destination zone DMZ, application web-browsing, and action allow. This is because the firewall in Layer 3 mode must explicitly permit traffic based on zone boundaries and application identification; the web-browsing application covers both HTTP and HTTPS, ensuring only legitimate web traffic passes from the internal trust zone to the DMZ server. On the PCNSA exam, this scenario tests your understanding of least-privilege rule design—a common trap is selecting service any, which would allow all ports and defeat the purpose of application-based filtering. Remember that source and destination zones are defined by where traffic originates and terminates, not by the server’s location. A useful memory tip: “Trust to DMZ, browse with ease; app-specific rules keep security at ease.”
PCNSA Core Concepts Practice Question
This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of core concepts. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 needs to create a rule that allows internal users to access a public web server hosted in the DMZ. The firewall is in layer 3 mode. Which rule configuration is correct for this scenario?
Option A is correct because traffic from trust to DMZ with application 'web-browsing' permits HTTP/HTTPS access. Option B is wrong because service 'any' is too broad. Option C is wrong because source zone should be 'trust', not 'DMZ'. Option D is wrong because destination zone should be 'DMZ', not 'trust'.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Both zones should not be the same for this scenario; DMZ is the destination.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Both zones should not be the same for this scenario; DMZ is the destination.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related PCNSA NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Core Concepts — This question tests Core Concepts — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Source zone: trust, Destination zone: DMZ, Application: web-browsing, Action: allow — Option A is correct because traffic from trust to DMZ with application 'web-browsing' permits HTTP/HTTPS access. Option B is wrong because service 'any' is too broad. Option C is wrong because source zone should be 'trust', not 'DMZ'. Option D is wrong because destination zone should be 'DMZ', not 'trust'.
What should I do if I get this PCNSA question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related PCNSA NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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