PCNSE Deploy and Configure Firewalls Practice Question
Which TWO of the following are required for stateful failover in an Active/Passive HA pair?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse the HA3 link (used for packet forwarding) as mandatory for stateful failover, or they think session table synchronization is a separate toggle rather than an inherent function of the HA2 link.
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
✓
HA1 link configured with a dedicated interface.
In an Active/Passive HA pair, stateful failover requires the HA1 link (management/control plane synchronization) and the HA2 link (data plane session synchronization) to be configured with dedicated interfaces. The HA1 link ensures heartbeat and configuration sync, while the HA2 link synchronizes session tables so that the passive firewall can seamlessly take over active sessions without disruption.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
HA3 link configured with a dedicated interface.
Why it's wrong here
HA3 is only used in Active/Active mode.
- ✓
HA1 link configured with a dedicated interface.
Why this is correct
HA1 is mandatory for heartbeat and management sync.
- ✓
HA2 link configured with a dedicated interface.
Why this is correct
HA2 is required to synchronize session tables for stateful failover.
- ✗
Heartbeat backup link configured.
Why it's wrong here
Heartbeat backup is optional for redundancy.
- ✗
Session table synchronization enabled.
Why it's wrong here
Session sync is enabled by default on HA1, but the link itself is the requirement.
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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.