- A
FTP
Why wrong: FTP uses ports 20 and 21.
- B
RDP
RDP uses TCP port 3389.
- C
SSH
Why wrong: SSH uses port 22.
- D
Telnet
Why wrong: Telnet uses port 23.
Quick Answer
The answer is RDP. This is correct because TCP port 3389 is the default port assigned to the Remote Desktop Protocol, a Microsoft proprietary protocol that provides remote graphical desktop access to Windows systems. When an administrator creates a custom service object for this port in a Palo Alto firewall, the standard name applied is RDP, aligning with the protocol’s well-known designation. On the PCNSA exam, this question tests your ability to map common application ports to their standard service object names, a fundamental skill in managing security policy objects. A common trap is confusing RDP with other remote access protocols like SSH (port 22) or VNC (port 5900), so remember that 3389 is exclusively RDP. For a quick memory tip: think of the number 3389 as "33" for the three Rs in "Remote Desktop Protocol" and "89" as the year Windows 3.0 was released, which helped popularize graphical remote access.
PCNSA Managing Objects Practice Question
This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of managing objects. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 creates a custom service object for TCP port 3389. What is the standard name for this service?
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
RDP
TCP port 3389 is the default port used by Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), which is a Microsoft proprietary protocol that enables remote graphical desktop access to Windows systems. The administrator creating a custom service object for this port is standardizing the service as RDP, as defined in the PCNSA curriculum for managing objects.
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.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse RDP with other remote access protocols like SSH or Telnet, but the specific port 3389 is exclusively associated with RDP in standard networking practice.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
RDP operates over TCP port 3389 by default, as specified in Microsoft's implementation, and can also use UDP 3389 for enhanced performance via Network Level Authentication (NLA). In a Palo Alto Networks firewall, creating a custom service object for TCP 3389 allows precise policy control for RDP traffic, which is critical for securing remote administrative access against brute-force attacks or unauthorized connections.
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.
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Managing Objects — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCNSA question test?
Managing Objects — This question tests Managing Objects — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: RDP — TCP port 3389 is the default port used by Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), which is a Microsoft proprietary protocol that enables remote graphical desktop access to Windows systems. The administrator creating a custom service object for this port is standardizing the service as RDP, as defined in the PCNSA curriculum for managing objects.
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 →
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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