- A
show running resource-monitor
This command shows dataplane resource utilization, useful for identifying CPU/memory bottlenecks.
- B
show session info
Why wrong: This command shows active sessions but does not directly indicate performance bottlenecks.
- C
show log traffic
Why wrong: This command shows traffic logs, which are for historical analysis, not real-time bottleneck identification.
- D
show system resources
This command shows overall system CPU, memory, and disk usage, helping identify resource constraints.
- E
show counter global
This command displays global packet counters, including drops, indicating potential bottlenecks.
Question 166 of 516
CLI Commands for Firewall Latency Troubleshooting
This PCNSE practice question tests your understanding of manage, monitor and operate. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A network engineer is troubleshooting high latency on the firewall. Which THREE commands from the CLI should be used to identify potential bottlenecks? (Choose three.)
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
✓
show running resource-monitor
Option A is correct because 'show running resource-monitor' displays real-time CPU and memory utilization per dataplane or control plane process, which directly helps identify resource exhaustion causing latency. This command provides granular per-process metrics, unlike the aggregated 'show system resources', making it essential for pinpointing bottlenecks in high-latency scenarios.
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.
- ✓
show running resource-monitor
Why this is correct
This command shows dataplane resource utilization, useful for identifying CPU/memory bottlenecks.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
show session info
Why it's wrong here
This command shows active sessions but does not directly indicate performance bottlenecks.
- ✗
show log traffic
Why it's wrong here
This command shows traffic logs, which are for historical analysis, not real-time bottleneck identification.
- ✓
show system resources
Why this is correct
This command shows overall system CPU, memory, and disk usage, helping identify resource constraints.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
show counter global
Why this is correct
This command displays global packet counters, including drops, indicating potential bottlenecks.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose 'show session info' thinking it reveals session table overload, but it only shows session details, not utilization percentages or drop counts, which are found in 'show counter global' and 'show running resource-monitor'.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This command shows active sessions but does not directly indicate performance bottlenecks.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'show running resource-monitor' command in PAN-OS leverages the resource monitor daemon to track per-process CPU and memory usage over a rolling window, with thresholds that trigger alerts. In contrast, 'show counter global' exposes global packet buffer drop counters (e.g., 'flow_pkt_non_syn_drop') and session table utilization, which are critical for identifying hardware-level congestion. A real-world scenario: a firewall experiencing latency due to a flood of non-SYN packets can be diagnosed by correlating high CPU from 'show running resource-monitor' with specific drop counters from 'show counter global'.
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 practitioner preparing for the PCNSE exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCNSE question test?
Manage, Monitor and Operate — This question tests Manage, Monitor and Operate — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: show running resource-monitor — Option A is correct because 'show running resource-monitor' displays real-time CPU and memory utilization per dataplane or control plane process, which directly helps identify resource exhaustion causing latency. This command provides granular per-process metrics, unlike the aggregated 'show system resources', making it essential for pinpointing bottlenecks in high-latency scenarios.
What should I do if I get this PCNSE 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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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