Quick Answer
The answer is PAN-OS 10.2.0. This is determined directly from the CLI output, where the version string displayed after running a command like 'show system info' explicitly shows '10.2.0'. The PAN-OS version is identified by the full version string, with the first two digits representing the major release, so 10.2.0 indicates the firewall is running PAN-OS version 10.2. On the Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator PCNSA exam, you will often be given a CLI exhibit and asked to determine PAN-OS version from CLI exhibit output; the key trap is confusing the version with the build number or model information. This tests your ability to read standard CLI output accurately, a fundamental skill for verifying software compliance or troubleshooting. A helpful memory tip: think of the version as a "major.minor.maintenance" triplet—always look for the first two digits to identify the major release, and remember that the third digit (like .0) is the maintenance release, not the core version.
This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of device management and services. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
admin@PA-5000> show system info | include sw-version sw-version: 10.2.0
Refer to the exhibit. What is the PAN-OS version running on the firewall?
admin@PA-5000> show system info | include sw-version sw-version: 10.2.0
10.2.0
The output clearly shows sw-version: 10.2.0.
10.1.0
Why wrong: The output shows sw-version 10.2.0, not 10.1.0.
9.1.0
Why wrong: The output shows sw-version 10.2.0, not 9.1.0.
10.0.0
Why wrong: The output shows sw-version 10.2.0, not 10.0.0.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
10.2.0
The PAN-OS version is determined by the first two digits of the version string displayed in the CLI output (e.g., '10.2.0'). In the exhibit, the firewall shows '10.2.0', which corresponds to PAN-OS 10.2.0. This is the correct version because the CLI command 'show system info' or the GUI dashboard displays the exact software version installed.
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.
10.2.0
Why this is correct
The output clearly shows sw-version: 10.2.0.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
10.1.0
Why it's wrong here
The output shows sw-version 10.2.0, not 10.1.0.
9.1.0
Why it's wrong here
The output shows sw-version 10.2.0, not 9.1.0.
10.0.0
Why it's wrong here
The output shows sw-version 10.2.0, not 10.0.0.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse the major version (e.g., 10) with the full version string, overlooking the minor version digit (e.g., .2) and selecting a wrong but similar-sounding version like 10.0.0 or 10.1.0.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The output shows sw-version 10.2.0, not 10.1.0.
Detailed technical explanation
PAN-OS versioning follows a major.minor.maintenance format (e.g., 10.2.0), where the major and minor numbers define the feature release train. The 'show system info' command outputs the exact version, and the firewall's version determines compatibility with features like App-ID, Threat Prevention, and management tools such as Panorama. In real-world scenarios, mismatched versions between firewalls and Panorama can cause configuration push failures or feature unavailability.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Device Management and Services — This question tests Device Management and Services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: 10.2.0 — The PAN-OS version is determined by the first two digits of the version string displayed in the CLI output (e.g., '10.2.0'). In the exhibit, the firewall shows '10.2.0', which corresponds to PAN-OS 10.2.0. This is the correct version because the CLI command 'show system info' or the GUI dashboard displays the exact software version installed.
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.
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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.
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