This PCNSE practice question tests your understanding of secure access and vpn. 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.
A large organization uses GlobalProtect for remote access. Recently, users in the APAC region have been reporting frequent disconnections from the VPN. They can connect and authenticate, but after about 5 minutes the session drops and they must reconnect. The firewall logs show 'GlobalProtect gateway timeout' for these users. The gateway's tunnel timeout is set to 30 minutes. What is the most likely cause?
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 GlobalProtect client's keepalive interval is set to 60 minutes
Option A is correct because if the tunnel timeout is 30 minutes but the client's keepalive interval is longer than the gateway's idle timeout, the gateway may drop the session. Option B is incorrect because hostname resolution causes connection issues, not timeouts. Option C is incorrect because authentication timeout is set to 120 minutes, which is longer. Option D is incorrect because IP pool exhaustion would prevent new connections, not drop established.
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.
✓
The GlobalProtect client's keepalive interval is set to 60 minutes
Why this is correct
If the keepalive interval exceeds the gateway's idle timeout, the session is dropped.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The portal's authentication timeout is set to 120 minutes
Why it's wrong here
A longer timeout would not cause disconnections.
✗
The IP pool for the gateway is exhausted
Why it's wrong here
Exhaustion would affect new connections, not existing ones.
✗
The internal gateway hostname cannot be resolved by the client
Why it's wrong here
DNS issues would prevent initial connection, not cause 5-minute drops.
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.
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 PCNSE 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 PCNSE 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.
Secure Access and VPN — This question tests Secure Access and VPN — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The GlobalProtect client's keepalive interval is set to 60 minutes — Option A is correct because if the tunnel timeout is 30 minutes but the client's keepalive interval is longer than the gateway's idle timeout, the gateway may drop the session. Option B is incorrect because hostname resolution causes connection issues, not timeouts. Option C is incorrect because authentication timeout is set to 120 minutes, which is longer. Option D is incorrect because IP pool exhaustion would prevent new connections, not drop established.
What should I do if I get this PCNSE question wrong?
Identify which PCNSE 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.
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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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