← PCNSA·Palo Alto Networks

Question 107 of 524

Policy Evaluation and Management →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

PCNSA Policy Evaluation and Management Practice Question

This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of policy evaluation and management. 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.

Exhibit

admin@PA-500> show log traffic | match allow | head -10
1: 2019-05-15 10:00:00, allow, trust, untrust, 10.10.1.10, 8.8.8.8, web-browsing, http, rule1, ...
2: 2019-05-15 10:00:01, allow, trust, untrust, 10.10.1.11, 8.8.8.8, web-browsing, http, rule1, ...
3: 2019-05-15 10:00:02, deny, trust, untrust, 10.10.1.12, 8.8.8.8, web-browsing, http, rule2, ...
4: 2019-05-15 10:00:03, allow, dmz, untrust, 10.20.1.1, 8.8.8.8, web-browsing, http, rule3, ...

Refer to the exhibit. The administrator sees that traffic from 10.10.1.12 is being denied by rule2. Which action should the administrator take to allow this traffic while maintaining security?

Question 1hardmultiple choice

Full question →

Exhibit

admin@PA-500> show log traffic | match allow | head -10
1: 2019-05-15 10:00:00, allow, trust, untrust, 10.10.1.10, 8.8.8.8, web-browsing, http, rule1, ...
2: 2019-05-15 10:00:01, allow, trust, untrust, 10.10.1.11, 8.8.8.8, web-browsing, http, rule1, ...
3: 2019-05-15 10:00:02, deny, trust, untrust, 10.10.1.12, 8.8.8.8, web-browsing, http, rule2, ...
4: 2019-05-15 10:00:03, allow, dmz, untrust, 10.20.1.1, 8.8.8.8, web-browsing, http, rule3, ...

A
Add 10.10.1.12 to rule1's source address.
Why wrong: Adding the specific IP to rule1 might be too narrow and could complicate the rule's intent.
B
Change rule2 to allow.
Why wrong: Changing rule2 to allow would permit all traffic matched by rule2, which may include unwanted traffic.
C
Create a new rule above rule2 that allows the specific traffic with appropriate security profiles.
This targets only the denied traffic while maintaining security profiles.
D
Move rule2 above rule1.
Why wrong: Moving rule2 above rule1 would cause it to be evaluated first, potentially denying traffic that rule1 would have allowed.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

Create a new rule above rule2 that allows the specific traffic with appropriate security profiles.

Option D is correct because creating a new rule above rule2 that specifically allows traffic from 10.10.1.12 (or the appropriate subnet) with proper security profiles will permit the traffic without affecting other rules. Option A would allow all traffic matched by rule2, which might be too broad. Option B would cause rule2 to be evaluated before rule1, potentially denying traffic that should be allowed. Option C would modify rule1's source, possibly allowing unintended traffic.

Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

✗
Add 10.10.1.12 to rule1's source address.
Why it's wrong here
Adding the specific IP to rule1 might be too narrow and could complicate the rule's intent.
✗
Change rule2 to allow.
Why it's wrong here
Changing rule2 to allow would permit all traffic matched by rule2, which may include unwanted traffic.
✓
Create a new rule above rule2 that allows the specific traffic with appropriate security profiles.
Why this is correct
This targets only the denied traffic while maintaining security profiles.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
✗
Move rule2 above rule1.
Why it's wrong here
Moving rule2 above rule1 would cause it to be evaluated first, potentially denying traffic that rule1 would have allowed.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses

Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.

KKey Concepts to Remember

CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.

TExam Day Tips

Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.

Key takeaway

Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.

Real-world example

How this comes up in practice

A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PCNSA subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.

Related PCNSA practice-question pages

Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.

Managing Objects practice questions

Practise PCNSA questions linked to Managing Objects.

Policy Evaluation and Management practice questions

Practise PCNSA questions linked to Policy Evaluation and Management.

Securing Traffic practice questions

Practise PCNSA questions linked to Securing Traffic.

Core Concepts practice questions

Practise PCNSA questions linked to Core Concepts.

Palo Alto Networks Platforms and Architecture practice questions

Practise PCNSA questions linked to Palo Alto Networks Platforms and Architecture.

Device Management and Services practice questions

Practise PCNSA questions linked to Device Management and Services.

App-ID and Content-ID practice questions

Practise PCNSA questions linked to App-ID and Content-ID.

Decryption and Monitoring practice questions

Practise PCNSA questions linked to Decryption and Monitoring.

PCNSA fundamentals practice questions

Practise PCNSA questions linked to PCNSA fundamentals.

PCNSA scenario practice questions

Practise PCNSA questions linked to PCNSA scenario.

PCNSA troubleshooting practice questions

Practise PCNSA questions linked to PCNSA troubleshooting.

Practice this exam

Start a free PCNSA practice session

Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.

10 questions 20 questions 30 questions 50 questions Timed 30

PCNSA practice-test guide →Study guide →Browse all practice tests

FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this PCNSA question test?

Policy Evaluation and Management — This question tests Policy Evaluation and Management — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Create a new rule above rule2 that allows the specific traffic with appropriate security profiles. — Option D is correct because creating a new rule above rule2 that specifically allows traffic from 10.10.1.12 (or the appropriate subnet) with proper security profiles will permit the traffic without affecting other rules. Option A would allow all traffic matched by rule2, which might be too broad. Option B would cause rule2 to be evaluated before rule1, potentially denying traffic that should be allowed. Option C would modify rule1's source, possibly allowing unintended traffic.

What should I do if I get this PCNSA question wrong?

What is the key concept behind this question?

CIDR notation defines the prefix length.

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 →

How Courseiva writes practice questions · Editorial policy

Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026

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.

Loading comments…

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.