- A
Create a policy with source zone Corp, destination zone Mgmt, and service SSH. Ensure that the management interface is included as a destination in the policy.
Why wrong: Security policies apply to data plane traffic passing through the firewall, not to management traffic destined to the firewall itself.
- B
Use the built-in admin access control list in firewall settings to permit SSH from Corp subnet, and disable all other management protocols.
Why wrong: While there is an Admin Access List under Device > Setup > Management, it is not as granular as Interface Management Profiles, and the question emphasizes a security policy approach, which is not suitable. The best practice is to use Interface Management Profiles.
- C
Create a security policy with source zone Corp, destination zone Mgmt, and application SSH, and also create a static route to the Mgmt network.
Why wrong: Security policies cannot manage traffic destined to the firewall; also, static routes are unnecessary for directly connected networks.
- D
Configure an interface management profile on the Mgmt interface that allows SSH only from the Corp subnet (10.0.1.0/24), and apply it to the management interface.
Interface Management Profiles control which services and source IPs can access the firewall's management plane on a per-interface basis; this is the correct method.
PCNSA Core Concepts Practice Question
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 uses a Palo Alto Networks firewall to segment its network into three zones: Corp (10.0.1.0/24), Guest (10.0.2.0/24), and Mgmt (10.0.3.0/24). The firewall is running PAN-OS 10.0. The administrator wants to ensure that only devices from the Corp zone can access the management interface of the firewall via SSH from the internal network. The management interface is physically connected to the Mgmt network, and its IP is 10.0.3.1/24. A security policy must be configured to permit this access. Which approach should the administrator take?
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
Configure an interface management profile on the Mgmt interface that allows SSH only from the Corp subnet (10.0.1.0/24), and apply it to the management interface.
Option B is correct. Management access to the firewall's control plane is controlled by Interface Management Profiles, not security policies. Security policies govern data plane traffic that passes through the firewall, not traffic destined to the firewall itself. Therefore, the correct method is to configure an Interface Management Profile on the Mgmt interface that permits SSH only from the Corp subnet. Option A incorrectly uses a security policy. Option C also misapplies security policy. Option D describes an alternative method (Management Access List), but Interface Management Profiles are the standard and more flexible approach, and the question specifically asks for the correct one in this context.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Create a policy with source zone Corp, destination zone Mgmt, and service SSH. Ensure that the management interface is included as a destination in the policy.
Why it's wrong here
Security policies apply to data plane traffic passing through the firewall, not to management traffic destined to the firewall itself.
- ✗
Use the built-in admin access control list in firewall settings to permit SSH from Corp subnet, and disable all other management protocols.
Why it's wrong here
While there is an Admin Access List under Device > Setup > Management, it is not as granular as Interface Management Profiles, and the question emphasizes a security policy approach, which is not suitable. The best practice is to use Interface Management Profiles.
- ✗
Create a security policy with source zone Corp, destination zone Mgmt, and application SSH, and also create a static route to the Mgmt network.
Why it's wrong here
Security policies cannot manage traffic destined to the firewall; also, static routes are unnecessary for directly connected networks.
- ✓
Configure an interface management profile on the Mgmt interface that allows SSH only from the Corp subnet (10.0.1.0/24), and apply it to the management interface.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PCNSA subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCNSA question test?
Core Concepts — This question tests Core Concepts — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure an interface management profile on the Mgmt interface that allows SSH only from the Corp subnet (10.0.1.0/24), and apply it to the management interface. — Option B is correct. Management access to the firewall's control plane is controlled by Interface Management Profiles, not security policies. Security policies govern data plane traffic that passes through the firewall, not traffic destined to the firewall itself. Therefore, the correct method is to configure an Interface Management Profile on the Mgmt interface that permits SSH only from the Corp subnet. Option A incorrectly uses a security policy. Option C also misapplies security policy. Option D describes an alternative method (Management Access List), but Interface Management Profiles are the standard and more flexible approach, and the question specifically asks for the correct one in this context.
What should I do if I get this PCNSA question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PCNSA subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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