- A
Source zone: DMZ, Destination zone: trust, Application: web-browsing, Action: allow
Why wrong: This would allow traffic from DMZ to trust, which is opposite direction.
- B
Source zone: trust, Destination zone: DMZ, Service: any, Application: any, Action: allow
Why wrong: Using service 'any' and application 'any' is overly permissive and not best practice.
- C
Source zone: trust, Destination zone: DMZ, Application: web-browsing, Action: allow
This correctly permits internal users to access the DMZ web server using web-browsing application.
- D
Source zone: trust, Destination zone: trust, Application: web-browsing, Action: allow
Why wrong: Both zones should not be the same for this scenario; DMZ is the destination.
Question 436 of 529
PCNSA Core Concepts Practice Question
This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of core concepts. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 needs to create a rule that allows internal users to access a public web server hosted in the DMZ. The firewall is in layer 3 mode. Which rule configuration is correct for this scenario?
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
✓
Source zone: trust, Destination zone: DMZ, Application: web-browsing, Action: allow
The correct rule configuration is Option C: Source zone: trust, Destination zone: DMZ, Application: web-browsing, Action: allow. This allows internal users (trust zone) to access the public web server in the DMZ. Option A is wrong because the source zone should be trust, not DMZ. Option B is wrong because specifying Service: any and Application: any is too broad and not best practice. Option D is wrong because the destination zone should be DMZ, not trust.
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.
- ✗
Source zone: DMZ, Destination zone: trust, Application: web-browsing, Action: allow
Why it's wrong here
This would allow traffic from DMZ to trust, which is opposite direction.
- ✗
Source zone: trust, Destination zone: DMZ, Service: any, Application: any, Action: allow
Why it's wrong here
Using service 'any' and application 'any' is overly permissive and not best practice.
- ✓
Source zone: trust, Destination zone: DMZ, Application: web-browsing, Action: allow
Why this is correct
This correctly permits internal users to access the DMZ web server using web-browsing application.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Source zone: trust, Destination zone: trust, Application: web-browsing, Action: allow
Why it's wrong here
Both zones should not be the same for this scenario; DMZ is the destination.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Both zones should not be the same for this scenario; DMZ is the destination.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 PCNSA exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCNSA question test?
Core Concepts — This question tests Core Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Source zone: trust, Destination zone: DMZ, Application: web-browsing, Action: allow — The correct rule configuration is Option C: Source zone: trust, Destination zone: DMZ, Application: web-browsing, Action: allow. This allows internal users (trust zone) to access the public web server in the DMZ. Option A is wrong because the source zone should be trust, not DMZ. Option B is wrong because specifying Service: any and Application: any is too broad and not best practice. Option D is wrong because the destination zone should be DMZ, not trust.
What should I do if I get this PCNSA question wrong?
Identify which PCNSA exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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