PCNSE Troubleshoot Practice Question
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. --- > show session id 12345 Session ID: 12345 Source IP: 10.1.1.100 Destination IP: 192.168.2.50 Source Port: 34567 Destination Port: 80 Protocol: TCP State: FIN_WAIT Application: ssl NAT Source: 10.1.1.100 NAT Destination: 192.168.2.50 ---
Refer to the exhibit. The session is in FIN_WAIT state. What does this indicate about the TCP connection?
⚠ Common exam trap
The PCNSE exam often tests the misconception that FIN_WAIT indicates active data transfer or a timeout, when in fact it is a normal intermediate state in the graceful TCP teardown process initiated by the firewall.
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
✓
The firewall has closed the connection and is waiting for the client or server to finish
The FIN_WAIT state indicates that the firewall has sent a FIN packet to close its side of the TCP connection and is now waiting for the corresponding FIN acknowledgment (ACK) from the remote endpoint. This is a normal part of the TCP connection termination process, where the firewall initiates the close and waits for the peer to finish sending data and acknowledge the closure.
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 connection is actively transferring data
Why it's wrong here
Data transfer occurs in ESTABLISHED state.
- ✓
The firewall has closed the connection and is waiting for the client or server to finish
Why this is correct
FIN_WAIT means the firewall initiated the close and is waiting for final packets.
- ✗
The connection has timed out and is being removed
Why it's wrong here
Timeout would show TIME_WAIT or CLOSE states.
- ✗
The firewall is waiting for a SYN-ACK from the destination
Why it's wrong here
That would be SYN_SENT state.
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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.