- A
Use the CLI command 'show running resource-monitor' to view CPU usage per module.
Resource monitor breaks down CPU usage by dataplane and control plane, helping identify the culprit.
- B
Review the security policy rule hit counts to see if a specific rule is hit frequently.
Why wrong: Rule hit counts do not correlate directly with CPU utilization.
- C
Check the number of active sessions using 'show session info'.
Why wrong: High session count can cause CPU, but it is not a direct indicator; resource monitor gives more detail.
- D
Inspect the packet buffer usage with 'show counter packet-buffer'.
Why wrong: Packet buffer usage indicates memory pressure, not necessarily CPU.
Question 176 of 516
First Step to Troubleshoot High CPU on Palo Alto Firewall: Use 'show running resource-monitor'
This PCNSE practice question tests your understanding of troubleshoot. 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 Palo Alto Networks firewall experiences high CPU utilization consistently above 90%. Which of the following is the most effective first step to identify the cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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 CLI command 'show running resource-monitor' to view CPU usage per module.
The 'show running resource-monitor' CLI command provides a per-module breakdown of CPU utilization, including dataplane, management plane, and individual packet processing threads. This granular view is the most effective first step because high CPU on a Palo Alto firewall is often caused by a specific module (e.g., a dataplane core processing excessive traffic or a session table scan), and isolating the module directs further troubleshooting. Other options, like checking rule hit counts or session counts, are secondary steps that do not pinpoint the CPU-consuming component.
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.
- ✓
Use the CLI command 'show running resource-monitor' to view CPU usage per module.
Why this is correct
Resource monitor breaks down CPU usage by dataplane and control plane, helping identify the culprit.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Review the security policy rule hit counts to see if a specific rule is hit frequently.
Why it's wrong here
Rule hit counts do not correlate directly with CPU utilization.
- ✗
Check the number of active sessions using 'show session info'.
Why it's wrong here
High session count can cause CPU, but it is not a direct indicator; resource monitor gives more detail.
- ✗
Inspect the packet buffer usage with 'show counter packet-buffer'.
Why it's wrong here
Packet buffer usage indicates memory pressure, not necessarily CPU.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often jump to checking session counts or rule hits, assuming high traffic volume is the cause, but Palo Alto firewalls can experience high CPU from non-traffic sources like logging storms, routing updates, or management plane tasks, which the resource-monitor command directly reveals.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'show running resource-monitor' output breaks CPU usage into dataplane cores (dp-0, dp-1, etc.), management plane (mgm), and control plane (cp). In high-CPU scenarios, a specific dataplane core may spike due to a single flow (e.g., a DoS attack or a misconfigured decryption policy), while others remain low. This command also shows CPU usage per functional area (e.g., session setup, packet forwarding), enabling targeted analysis without impacting production traffic.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Troubleshoot — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCNSE question test?
Troubleshoot — This question tests Troubleshoot — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use the CLI command 'show running resource-monitor' to view CPU usage per module. — The 'show running resource-monitor' CLI command provides a per-module breakdown of CPU utilization, including dataplane, management plane, and individual packet processing threads. This granular view is the most effective first step because high CPU on a Palo Alto firewall is often caused by a specific module (e.g., a dataplane core processing excessive traffic or a session table scan), and isolating the module directs further troubleshooting. Other options, like checking rule hit counts or session counts, are secondary steps that do not pinpoint the CPU-consuming component.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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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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