The correct answer is Rule 1 (Allow-Sales) because the traffic log shows no entries for the source IP 10.1.1.50, which indicates the traffic is being matched and permitted by a security rule before any logging occurs. In Palo Alto Networks firewalls, when a rule allows traffic without logging enabled, or before the log is generated, the session is established silently, leaving no trace in the traffic log. This scenario tests your understanding of security rule matching based on traffic log absence, a common PCNSA exam concept where you must infer which rule applies by analyzing zone membership and service rather than relying on logged data. A frequent trap is assuming no log entries mean the traffic was denied, but in this case, the absence confirms the traffic matched an allow rule that lacks logging. Remember the mnemonic: "No log, no deny—silent allow is the reason why."
PCNSA Device Management and Services Practice Question
This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of device management and services. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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?
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 because the user at 10.1.1.50 is in the Sales zone, and the destination 192.168.1.100 is in the Servers zone. The traffic log shows no entries, meaning the traffic is being matched and allowed by a rule before it can be logged. Rule 1 explicitly permits traffic from Sales to Servers on TCP port 443, so it matches this interzone traffic and allows it, generating a log entry only if logging is enabled on that rule.
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
Interzone-default applies when no rule matches, but the first matching rule is rule 1, even though it does not allow.
✗
Intrazone-default
Why it's wrong here
Intrazone rules apply to same zone traffic; the exhibit does not indicate zones.
✗
Rule 2 (Allow-HR)
Why it's wrong here
Source 10.1.1.50 is not in 10.1.2.0/24.
✓
Rule 1 (Allow-Sales)
Why this is correct
Source and destination match, but the application (ssl) and service (tcp-443) do not match ms-sql/tcp-1433, so the rule does not allow the traffic.
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 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.
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 because the user at 10.1.1.50 is in the Sales zone, and the destination 192.168.1.100 is in the Servers zone. The traffic log shows no entries, meaning the traffic is being matched and allowed by a rule before it can be logged. Rule 1 explicitly permits traffic from Sales to Servers on TCP port 443, so it matches this interzone traffic and allows it, generating a log entry only if logging is enabled on that rule.
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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Question Discussion
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