This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of core concepts. 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 organization is deploying a Palo Alto Networks firewall in a data center with multiple virtual routers. The network team wants to ensure that traffic between two different virtual routers can be inspected by the firewall. Which configuration is required?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a Security policy rule that allows traffic between the virtual routers.
Option D is correct because traffic between virtual routers must be explicitly permitted by a Security policy rule. Even though virtual routers provide separate routing tables, the firewall still enforces policy enforcement points; without a Security rule allowing the traffic, it will be denied by default. This ensures that inter-virtual-router traffic is inspected and controlled by the firewall's security engine.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Install a virtual wire between the virtual routers.
Why it's wrong here
Virtual wires are for transparent mode, not inter-VR routing.
✗
Add static routes for the remote subnets in each virtual router.
Why it's wrong here
Static routes enable routing but not inspection; policy is still needed.
✗
Configure a default route in each virtual router pointing to the other.
Why it's wrong here
Only one default route per virtual router is allowed, and this does not enable inspection.
✓
Create a Security policy rule that allows traffic between the virtual routers.
Why this is correct
Inter-virtual-router traffic must be permitted by Security policy to be inspected.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse routing configuration (static or default routes) with security policy, assuming that if traffic can be routed, it will be allowed, but Palo Alto firewalls require an explicit Security rule to permit traffic between virtual routers.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Palo Alto Networks firewalls, virtual routers maintain separate routing tables and FIBs, but all traffic passing through the firewall is subject to Security policy rules at the ingress and egress interfaces. Even with correct routing, the firewall's flow logic checks the session against Security rules; if no rule matches, the session is denied. This design enforces security before forwarding, ensuring that inter-virtual-router traffic is inspected just like any other cross-zone traffic.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Core Concepts — This question tests Core Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a Security policy rule that allows traffic between the virtual routers. — Option D is correct because traffic between virtual routers must be explicitly permitted by a Security policy rule. Even though virtual routers provide separate routing tables, the firewall still enforces policy enforcement points; without a Security rule allowing the traffic, it will be denied by default. This ensures that inter-virtual-router traffic is inspected and controlled by the firewall's security engine.
What should I do if I get this PCNSA question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This PCNSA 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 PCNSA exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.