PCNSE Manage, Monitor and Operate Practice Question
This PCNSE practice question tests your understanding of manage, monitor and operate. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 firewall is dropping traffic that should be allowed. The security policy appears correct. An administrator checks the session table and notices the session state is 'CLOSE'. What is the most likely cause of the traffic being dropped?
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
✓
The server is sending a FIN/RST prematurely due to application layer issues.
Option C is correct because a session in CLOSE state indicates the firewall has already processed and closed the session, often due to a FIN/RST received. This could happen if the server closes the connection prematurely due to a mismatch in application detection or timeout. Option A is wrong because a deny policy would show a different drop reason. Option B is wrong because asymmetric routing would show a different session state (e.g., SYN_SENT). Option D is wrong because packet buffer exhaustion would cause drops across all traffic, not specific sessions.
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.
✓
The server is sending a FIN/RST prematurely due to application layer issues.
Why this is correct
A CLOSE state indicates a normal termination, often due to FIN or RST from one side.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
A deny all security policy is blocking the traffic.
Why it's wrong here
A deny policy would log as a deny action, not just a CLOSE state.
✗
Asymmetric routing is causing the session to be torn down.
Why it's wrong here
Asymmetric routing typically shows sessions stuck in SYN_SENT or SYN_RECV states.
✗
Packet buffer exhaustion on the firewall is causing drops.
Why it's wrong here
Buffer exhaustion would cause global drops, not a specific session state.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Asymmetric routing typically shows sessions stuck in SYN_SENT or SYN_RECV states.
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.
Manage, Monitor and Operate — This question tests Manage, Monitor and Operate — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The server is sending a FIN/RST prematurely due to application layer issues. — Option C is correct because a session in CLOSE state indicates the firewall has already processed and closed the session, often due to a FIN/RST received. This could happen if the server closes the connection prematurely due to a mismatch in application detection or timeout. Option A is wrong because a deny policy would show a different drop reason. Option B is wrong because asymmetric routing would show a different session state (e.g., SYN_SENT). Option D is wrong because packet buffer exhaustion would cause drops across all traffic, not specific sessions.
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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