PCNSE Secure Access and VPN Practice Question
A company uses GlobalProtect with internal gateways for accessing data center resources. Users on the internal network should not use the VPN. What is the best practice configuration?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse 'internal client detection' with IP-based exclusion, but the best practice is to use a dedicated Internal Gateway with pre-logon, which is more secure and dynamic than relying on static IP ranges.
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
✓
Use the Internal Gateway with a pre-logon check.
Using an Internal Gateway with a pre-logon check allows the GlobalProtect agent to detect that the user is on the internal network and skip the VPN tunnel, while still enforcing security policies. This configuration ensures that internal users do not route traffic through the VPN, avoiding unnecessary overhead and potential routing issues, while the pre-logon check verifies the user's identity before granting access to data center resources.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use the same portal for both internal and external with a single gateway.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Single gateway would treat internal and external users the same.
- ✓
Use the Internal Gateway with a pre-logon check.
Why this is correct
Correct. Internal Gateway automatically detects internal connectivity and skips VPN.
- ✗
Set the gateway to require internal client detection via IP range exclusion.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. IP exclusion is not a standard method; the Internal Gateway feature handles this.
- ✗
Disable the GlobalProtect agent for internal IP ranges.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Disabling agent is not a feature; the agent runs but can be configured to not tunnel.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PCNSE 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 PCNSE exam.