This PCNSE practice question tests your understanding of troubleshoot. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A company is using GlobalProtect for remote access. Users report that they can connect but cannot access internal resources. The firewall logs show successful GlobalProtect tunnel establishment. What is the most likely issue?
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
A security policy rule with a geolocation-based deny is blocking the traffic
After tunnel establishment, traffic is subject to security policies. A misconfigured rule (e.g., geolocation-based deny) could block the traffic. Also, split tunneling settings could be misconfigured. The most common cause is a security policy blocking the traffic after tunnel is up.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
A security policy rule with a geolocation-based deny is blocking the traffic
Why this is correct
Geolocation-based rules can block traffic if the user's public IP is in a denied country.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Split tunneling is disabled, causing all traffic to go through the firewall and saturate bandwidth
Why it's wrong here
Bandwidth saturation would cause slow performance but not total lack of access.
✗
The GlobalProtect gateway is not configured with the correct client settings
Why it's wrong here
Client settings affect the tunnel parameters but not post-connection access.
✗
The DNS proxy setting is misconfigured
Why it's wrong here
DNS proxy issues would affect name resolution but not IP connectivity.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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 ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related PCNSE ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Troubleshoot — This question tests Troubleshoot — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A security policy rule with a geolocation-based deny is blocking the traffic — After tunnel establishment, traffic is subject to security policies. A misconfigured rule (e.g., geolocation-based deny) could block the traffic. Also, split tunneling settings could be misconfigured. The most common cause is a security policy blocking the traffic after tunnel is up.
What should I do if I get this PCNSE question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related PCNSE ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
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?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Question Discussion
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