This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of core concepts. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```
> show running security-policy
Rule Name Source Zone Dest Zone App Action
----------------------------------------------------------------
1: Block-SSH any any ssh deny
2: Allow-SSH-Admin trust untrust ssh allow
3: Allow-Web trust untrust web-browsing allow
```
Refer to the exhibit. An administrator notices that SSH traffic from the trust zone to the untrust zone is being blocked. The administrator expected it to be allowed by rule 2. What is the most likely reason?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Refer to the exhibit.
```
> show running security-policy
Rule Name Source Zone Dest Zone App Action
----------------------------------------------------------------
1: Block-SSH any any ssh deny
2: Allow-SSH-Admin trust untrust ssh allow
3: Allow-Web trust untrust web-browsing allow
```
A
Rule 2's application is set to 'ssh' but the service is not 'application-default'
Why wrong: Even if the service is missing, the rule might not match, but the primary issue is rule 1.
B
Rule 1 matches the traffic and is evaluated before rule 2
Since rule 1 has 'any' zones and is higher priority, it blocks SSH before rule 2 is reached.
C
Rule 1 is configured with action 'allow'
Why wrong: The exhibit shows rule 1 action is deny.
D
Rule 2's source zone is incorrectly set to 'dmz'
Why wrong: The exhibit shows source zone 'trust' for rule 2.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Rule 1 matches the traffic and is evaluated before rule 2
Option A is correct because rule 1 has source and destination zones 'any' and matches all SSH traffic, and it is placed before rule 2. Option B is wrong because the action of rule 1 is deny, not allow. Option C is wrong because the rule explicitly denies SSH. Option D is wrong because the rule 2 does allow SSH but never gets evaluated due to rule 1.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Rule 2's application is set to 'ssh' but the service is not 'application-default'
Why it's wrong here
Even if the service is missing, the rule might not match, but the primary issue is rule 1.
✓
Rule 1 matches the traffic and is evaluated before rule 2
Why this is correct
Since rule 1 has 'any' zones and is higher priority, it blocks SSH before rule 2 is reached.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Rule 1 is configured with action 'allow'
Why it's wrong here
The exhibit shows rule 1 action is deny.
✗
Rule 2's source zone is incorrectly set to 'dmz'
Why it's wrong here
The exhibit shows source zone 'trust' for rule 2.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The exhibit shows rule 1 action is deny.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related PCNSA NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Core Concepts — This question tests Core Concepts — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Rule 1 matches the traffic and is evaluated before rule 2 — Option A is correct because rule 1 has source and destination zones 'any' and matches all SSH traffic, and it is placed before rule 2. Option B is wrong because the action of rule 1 is deny, not allow. Option C is wrong because the rule explicitly denies SSH. Option D is wrong because the rule 2 does allow SSH but never gets evaluated due to rule 1.
What should I do if I get this PCNSA question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related PCNSA NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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