PCNSE Troubleshoot Practice Question
Exhibit
system log: 2019-03-15 14:23:45, severity: critical, module: license, description: License for URL Filtering has expired.
Refer to the exhibit. A firewall system log contains a critical license expiration entry for URL Filtering. What will happen to URL Filtering functionality?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common misconception is that license expiration immediately disables the associated feature, but Palo Alto Networks firewalls are designed to continue using the last known good data to maintain operational continuity until the license is renewed.
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
✓
URL Filtering will continue to use the last downloaded URL database but will not receive updates.
When a URL Filtering license expires on a Palo Alto Networks firewall, the device does not immediately disable the feature. Instead, it continues to use the last downloaded URL database to categorize URLs, but it will no longer receive periodic database updates from the Palo Alto Networks update server. This ensures that existing traffic policies based on URL categories remain functional, though new or changed URLs may not be accurately categorized until the license is renewed.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The firewall will stop passing traffic until the license is renewed.
Why it's wrong here
Only the licensed feature is affected; traffic continues to pass but may not be filtered.
- ✗
URL Filtering will stop working immediately until a new license is installed.
Why it's wrong here
The feature continues to work using the last downloaded URL database, but updates cease.
- ✓
URL Filtering will continue to use the last downloaded URL database but will not receive updates.
Why this is correct
Licensed features continue to function with the last downloaded data when the license expires.
- ✗
The firewall will automatically fall back to a basic URL category list.
Why it's wrong here
There is no automatic fallback; the existing database is used.
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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.