Quick Answer
The correct answer is to configure the security rule to log at session start. This setting captures a log entry precisely when a session is established, meaning the moment the three-way TCP handshake completes or the first packet of a UDP flow is permitted, which directly meets the requirement to log traffic only upon session creation. On the Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator PCNSA exam, this concept tests your understanding of the difference between session start and session end logging, a common trap being that many candidates mistakenly choose "log at session end" because they associate logging with session termination, but that would miss the establishment event entirely. A useful memory tip is to think of "start" as the green light—the moment the connection is allowed through—while "end" is the red light when it closes; for auditing when a session begins, always pick start.
This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of policy evaluation and management. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
An administrator wants to ensure that all traffic from the engineering zone to the server zone is logged, but only when a session is established. Which log setting should be configured in the security rule?
Log at both session start and end
Why wrong: This would log twice, not necessary for just establishment.
No log
Why wrong: No logging would not capture any session information.
Log at session end
Why wrong: Logging at session end logs when the session closes, not when established.
Log at session start
Logging at session start captures the session establishment event.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Log at session start
Option B is correct because logging at session start logs the session creation, which is when it is established. Option A is wrong because end logs only at termination. Option C is wrong because both start and end would log twice. Option D is wrong because no logging is not useful for auditing.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Log at both session start and end
Why it's wrong here
This would log twice, not necessary for just establishment.
No log
Why it's wrong here
No logging would not capture any session information.
Log at session end
Why it's wrong here
Logging at session end logs when the session closes, not when established.
Log at session start
Why this is correct
Logging at session start captures the session establishment event.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Common exam traps
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related PCNSA NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
Policy Evaluation and Management — This question tests Policy Evaluation and Management — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: Log at session start — Option B is correct because logging at session start logs the session creation, which is when it is established. Option A is wrong because end logs only at termination. Option C is wrong because both start and end would log twice. Option D is wrong because no logging is not useful for auditing.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related PCNSA NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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