The correct answer is to configure the SSH port under Device > Setup > Management > Port for SSH. This setting directly overrides the default TCP port 22, allowing the firewall to listen for SSH connections on any non-standard port you specify, which is essential when a corporate firewall blocks the default port. On the PCNSA exam, this question tests your knowledge of management interface settings and how they control inbound protocols like SSH, HTTPS, and ping—a common trap is confusing this with a security rule or zone-based policy, but the change is strictly a management-plane configuration. Remember the memory tip: "Management, not policy" for SSH port changes, as altering the port here bypasses the need for any security rule modification.
PCNSA Device Management and Services Practice Question
This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of device management and services. 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 needs to access the firewall's CLI via SSH, but the default SSH port (22) is blocked by the corporate firewall. Which configuration allows SSH on a non-standard port?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Device > Setup > Management > Port for SSH
Option A is correct because the firewall's SSH port is configured under Device > Setup > Management > Port for SSH. This setting allows the administrator to change the default TCP port 22 to any non-standard port, enabling SSH access when the corporate firewall blocks the default port. The management interface settings control all inbound management protocols, including SSH, HTTPS, and ping.
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.
✓
Device > Setup > Management > Port for SSH
Why this is correct
Allows setting a non-default SSH port for CLI access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Operations tab does not contain SSH port settings.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse the management port settings for SSH with other protocol settings (like HTTP/HTTPS) or assume a 'Services' or 'Administration' menu exists, leading them to pick an option that sounds plausible but does not exist in the PAN-OS GUI.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The SSH port setting modifies the TCP port that the firewall's management plane listens on for SSH connections. This is configured in the management profile, which can be applied to specific interfaces or globally. Changing the port does not affect dataplane SSH (e.g., for IPSec tunnels) and requires a commit to take effect. In real-world deployments, using a non-standard port (e.g., 2222) helps evade automated scans but does not replace proper ACLs or authentication.
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 practitioner preparing for the PCNSA exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
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.
Device Management and Services — This question tests Device Management and Services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Device > Setup > Management > Port for SSH — Option A is correct because the firewall's SSH port is configured under Device > Setup > Management > Port for SSH. This setting allows the administrator to change the default TCP port 22 to any non-standard port, enabling SSH access when the corporate firewall blocks the default port. The management interface settings control all inbound management protocols, including SSH, HTTPS, and ping.
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.
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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
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