PCNSE Deploy and Configure Firewalls Practice Question
A network administrator is deploying a new Palo Alto Networks firewall and needs to configure the data-plane interfaces. The firewall will be placed between the internal network and the internet. The internal network uses private IP addresses and must be translated to a public IP address for outbound traffic. Which type of NAT should the administrator configure on the firewall?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse source NAT with destination NAT; outbound traffic requires source address translation, not destination translation.
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
✓
Source NAT (SNAT)
Source NAT (SNAT) translates the source IP address of outbound packets to a public IP address, enabling internal hosts with private addresses to communicate with external networks. This is the correct choice because the scenario requires outbound traffic from a private network to be translated to a public address. SNAT is the standard NAT type for internet access from private networks.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Destination NAT (DNAT)
Why it's wrong here
Destination NAT translates the destination IP address of incoming packets, typically used to publish internal servers to the internet. The scenario requires translating private source addresses to a public address for outbound traffic, which is source NAT. DNAT would not achieve the required address translation for outbound connections and would instead alter the destination, breaking connectivity.
- ✗
U-Turn NAT
Why it's wrong here
U-Turn NAT is used when internal users need to access an internal server via its public IP address, causing traffic to hairpin on the firewall. This scenario does not involve internal users accessing internal resources via public addresses; it involves outbound internet access. U-Turn NAT would not provide the required translation for outbound traffic and would complicate the configuration unnecessarily.
- ✗
No NAT; use a security policy to allow outbound traffic
Why it's wrong here
Without NAT, private IP addresses would be sent to the internet, where they are not routable. A security policy alone cannot translate addresses; it only permits or denies traffic. The requirement explicitly states that private addresses must be translated to a public address, so NAT is mandatory. Omitting NAT would result in dropped packets at the ISP or upstream router.
- ✓
Source NAT (SNAT)
Why this is correct
Source NAT translates the source IP address of outbound packets, allowing internal private addresses to be represented by a public IP address on the internet. This is exactly what is needed to enable internal hosts to access external resources while hiding their private addresses. SNAT is the standard method for outbound internet access from a private network.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Palo Alto Networks exam blueprint
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.