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 network engineer configures an IPSec tunnel with multiple proxy IDs for different subnets. After committing, only one proxy ID establishes IPsec SAs. What should the engineer check?
The number of concurrent tunnels allowed.
Correct. The firewall may limit concurrent SAs per gateway.
The IPSec crypto profile.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Crypto profile defines algorithms, not capacity.
The IKE gateway mode.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Mode affects IKE version, not number of SAs.
The tunnel monitor settings.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Monitor settings affect passive monitoring, not SA establishment.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The number of concurrent tunnels allowed.
There is a maximum number of concurrent IPsec SAs (tunnels) per IKE gateway. If the limit is reached, additional proxy IDs will not establish SAs.
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
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The number of concurrent tunnels allowed.
The IPSec crypto profile.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Crypto profile defines algorithms, not capacity.
The IKE gateway mode.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Mode affects IKE version, not number of SAs.
The tunnel monitor settings.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Monitor settings affect passive monitoring, not SA establishment.
Common exam traps
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
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.
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
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
What to study next
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PCNSE subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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FAQ
Secure Access and VPN — This question tests Secure Access and VPN — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
The correct answer is: The number of concurrent tunnels allowed. — There is a maximum number of concurrent IPsec SAs (tunnels) per IKE gateway. If the limit is reached, additional proxy IDs will not establish SAs.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PCNSE subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This PCNSE 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 PCNSE exam.
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