PCNSE Practice Question: Securing Users and Applications with Authentication
Which THREE components are required to deploy the Palo Alto Networks User-ID agent in a typical Windows environment to map users to IP addresses?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse the User-ID agent's need for Active Directory with a general LDAP server, or assume Panorama is a required component for the agent to function, when in fact the agent can operate with just a firewall and AD.
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
✓
Active Directory domain to query user information
In a typical Windows environment, the User-ID agent requires Active Directory (AD) to query user logon events and group memberships. The agent uses the AD domain to correlate user SIDs with IP addresses via NetAPI or WMI, enabling accurate IP-to-user mapping without requiring a separate LDAP server for authentication.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Firewall management server (Panorama)
Why it's wrong here
Panorama is not required for the User-ID agent; the agent communicates directly with the firewall.
- ✓
Active Directory domain to query user information
Why this is correct
AD provides user identity data.
- ✗
LDAP server (non-AD) for authentication
Why it's wrong here
Non-AD LDAP is not required; AD itself provides LDAP.
- ✓
User-ID agent software installed on a Windows server
Why this is correct
The agent software is necessary to collect user login events.
- ✓
Mapping database for storing IP-to-user mappings
Why this is correct
The mapping database is essential for the agent to function.
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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.