Quick Answer
The answer is both destination port and protocol must be specified when creating a service object in Palo Alto. This is required because a service object defines a unique combination of protocol and port for traffic classification; without specifying the protocol—such as TCP or UDP—the firewall cannot determine how to inspect the traffic, and without the destination port, it cannot match the specific service like web-proxy on port 8080. On the PCNSA exam, this tests your understanding of how service objects differ from application objects, and a common trap is assuming only the port is needed, which would leave the object ambiguous for policy enforcement. Remember the mnemonic "Port Plus Protocol" (PPP) to recall that both properties are mandatory for any service object creation.
This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of managing objects. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 create a service object for TCP port 8080 and call it 'web-proxy'. Which properties must be specified?
Destination port
Why wrong: Destination port is required but not sufficient without protocol.
Both destination port and protocol
Service objects require both protocol and destination port.
Source port
Why wrong: Source port is optional in a service object.
Protocol
Why wrong: Protocol is required but not sufficient without destination port.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Both destination port and protocol
In Palo Alto Networks firewalls, a service object defines a specific application protocol and port combination for traffic classification and policy enforcement. For TCP port 8080, both the protocol (TCP) and the destination port (8080) must be specified because the firewall requires the protocol to differentiate between TCP, UDP, or other IP protocols, and the destination port to match the traffic. Option B is correct because without both, the service object would be incomplete and could not be used in security rules.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Destination port
Why it's wrong here
Destination port is required but not sufficient without protocol.
Both destination port and protocol
Why this is correct
Service objects require both protocol and destination port.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Source port
Why it's wrong here
Source port is optional in a service object.
Protocol
Why it's wrong here
Protocol is required but not sufficient without destination port.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often assume only the destination port is needed, forgetting that the protocol is mandatory to uniquely identify the service, as the same port number can be used by different protocols (e.g., TCP vs. UDP).
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, Palo Alto Networks service objects are stored in the device's configuration as XML elements containing both the 'protocol' (e.g., tcp) and 'port' (e.g., 8080) attributes, and the firewall uses these to build a service table for fast packet matching. In a real-world scenario, if an administrator creates a service object for web-proxy without specifying the protocol, the firewall might incorrectly match UDP traffic on port 8080, leading to security policy bypass or misrouting. This is critical because many applications, like HTTP proxies, rely on TCP for reliable connections, and the firewall's App-ID engine may also use this service definition for decryption or threat inspection.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Managing Objects — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Managing Objects practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All PCNSA questions
524 questions across all exam domains
Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator PCNSA study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
PCNSA practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise PCNSA questions linked to Managing Objects.
Practise PCNSA questions linked to Policy Evaluation and Management.
Practise PCNSA questions linked to Securing Traffic.
Practise PCNSA questions linked to Core Concepts.
Practise PCNSA questions linked to Palo Alto Networks Platforms and Architecture.
Practise PCNSA questions linked to Device Management and Services.
Practise PCNSA questions linked to App-ID and Content-ID.
Practise PCNSA questions linked to Decryption and Monitoring.
Practise PCNSA questions linked to PCNSA fundamentals.
Practise PCNSA questions linked to PCNSA scenario.
Practise PCNSA questions linked to PCNSA troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Managing Objects — This question tests Managing Objects — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Both destination port and protocol — In Palo Alto Networks firewalls, a service object defines a specific application protocol and port combination for traffic classification and policy enforcement. For TCP port 8080, both the protocol (TCP) and the destination port (8080) must be specified because the firewall requires the protocol to differentiate between TCP, UDP, or other IP protocols, and the destination port to match the traffic. Option B is correct because without both, the service object would be incomplete and could not be used in security rules.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 25, 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.
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.