- A
show session info
Why wrong: Shows active sessions.
- B
show running np-ips
Why wrong: Shows management IPs.
- C
show device-info
Why wrong: Shows system information, not HA links.
- D
show high-availability state
Displays HA status including link states.
Question 441 of 516
How to Check HA Link Status on Palo Alto Firewalls
This PCNSE practice question tests your understanding of managing troubleshooting and high availability. 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.
An administrator needs to verify the health of HA links. Which CLI command displays the current status of HA1, HA2, and HA3 links?
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 high-availability state
The 'show high-availability state' command is the correct CLI command to verify the health of HA1, HA2, and HA3 links because it displays the current status, link state, and any failures for each HA link in a Palo Alto Networks firewall. This command provides a comprehensive view of the HA control link (HA1), data link (HA2), and backup link (HA3), including their operational status and packet statistics, which is essential for troubleshooting high-availability configurations.
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 session info
Why it's wrong here
Shows active sessions.
- ✗
show running np-ips
Why it's wrong here
Shows management IPs.
- ✗
show device-info
Why it's wrong here
Shows system information, not HA links.
- ✓
show high-availability state
Why this is correct
Displays HA status including link states.
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 confuse 'show high-availability state' with 'show device-info' or 'show session info', assuming general system or session data includes HA link details, but only the dedicated HA command provides the granular link status required for this verification.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Shows active sessions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The HA1 link uses a dedicated interface for heartbeat and control traffic, HA2 for session synchronization, and HA3 for backup data forwarding; the 'show high-availability state' command outputs the link state (e.g., 'up' or 'down'), the number of heartbeats sent/received, and any errors. In a real-world scenario, if HA2 link fails, session synchronization stops, causing failover delays or session loss, which this command immediately reveals. The command also shows the HA link type (e.g., 'HA1', 'HA2', 'HA3') and whether the link is active or in a passive state, aiding in diagnosing misconfigurations like mismatched IP addresses or VLANs.
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.
Visual reference
Quick reference
Routing Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Metric | Max Hops | Algorithm | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIP v2 | Hop count | 15 | Bellman-Ford | Distance vector |
| OSPF | Cost (bandwidth) | Unlimited | Dijkstra (SPF) | Link state |
| EIGRP | Composite metric | Unlimited | DUAL | Hybrid |
| IS-IS | Cost | Unlimited | Dijkstra | Link state |
| BGP | Policy / attributes | Unlimited | Path vector | Path vector |
RIP's 15-hop limit makes it unsuitable for large networks. OSPF and EIGRP dominate modern enterprise deployments.
What to study next
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Managing Troubleshooting and High Availability — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCNSE question test?
Managing Troubleshooting and High Availability — This question tests Managing Troubleshooting and High Availability — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: show high-availability state — The 'show high-availability state' command is the correct CLI command to verify the health of HA1, HA2, and HA3 links because it displays the current status, link state, and any failures for each HA link in a Palo Alto Networks firewall. This command provides a comprehensive view of the HA control link (HA1), data link (HA2), and backup link (HA3), including their operational status and packet statistics, which is essential for troubleshooting high-availability configurations.
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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