PCNSA Policy Evaluation and Management Practice Question
What does a 'shadowed' rule mean in the context of policy evaluation?
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
✓
A rule that is never evaluated because a previous rule with same or broader match already matches the traffic.
A shadowed rule is one that is never evaluated because a previous rule with the same or broader match already matches the traffic. This occurs when a rule is redundant due to an earlier rule covering the same or a superset of conditions. Option B is incorrect because a rule at the bottom is still evaluated if no earlier rule matches. Option C is incorrect because a disabled rule is not the same as a shadowed rule. Option D is incorrect because a rule without an action would still be evaluated but would likely result in an error or default action, not shadowing.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
A rule that is never evaluated because a previous rule with same or broader match already matches the traffic.
Why this is correct
This is the definition of a shadowed rule.
- ✗
A rule that is never hit because it is at the bottom of the rulebase.
Why it's wrong here
A rule at the bottom is still evaluated if no earlier match.
- ✗
A rule that is disabled.
Why it's wrong here
Disabled is not shadowed; it is simply not evaluated.
- ✗
A rule that matches traffic but has no action configured.
Why it's wrong here
Rules must have an action configured.
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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.