PCNSE Securing Traffic and App-ID Practice Question
An organization uses a SaaS application that runs on a dynamic set of IP addresses. The application traffic is currently identified as ssl and not as the specific application. How can the administrator improve application identification for this SaaS application?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers assume port-based overrides (Option C) are the only way to identify traffic, but they fail to recognize that hostname-based conditions in custom applications provide a more precise and dynamic identification method for SaaS applications with changing IP addresses.
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
✓
Create a custom application with hostname conditions.
App-ID can identify SaaS applications by hostname conditions when the application uses a dynamic set of IP addresses. By creating a custom application with hostname conditions (e.g., matching the FQDN of the SaaS service), the firewall can accurately identify the traffic as that specific application rather than generic SSL, even as the backend IPs change. This leverages the firewall's ability to inspect the Server Name Indication (SNI) field in the TLS handshake or the HTTP Host header.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Disable App-ID for that traffic to reduce overhead.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling App-ID would prevent identification entirely.
- ✓
Create a custom application with hostname conditions.
Why this is correct
Hostname conditions match the SNI in TLS, allowing identification even with dynamic IPs.
- ✗
Use a port-based application override.
Why it's wrong here
Override bypasses App-ID, preventing accurate identification.
- ✗
Configure a URL filtering category for the application.
Why it's wrong here
URL filtering is separate from App-ID; it does not change application identity.
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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.