- A
Active/active eliminates the need for failover
Why wrong: Failover is still needed if one firewall fails.
- B
Active/active requires enabling asymmetric routing support
Needed to handle return traffic on different firewall.
- C
Active/active allows both firewalls to process traffic simultaneously
Traffic is load-balanced.
- D
Active/active automatically synchronizes configuration changes
Why wrong: Configuration sync works the same as in active/passive.
- E
Active/active is the default and most commonly deployed mode
Why wrong: Active/passive is more common and default.
Question 82 of 516
Characteristics of Active/Active HA Mode vs Active/Passive
This PCNSE practice question tests your understanding of managing troubleshooting and high availability. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Which TWO statements about active/active HA mode are true compared to active/passive mode? (Choose two.)
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
✓
Active/active requires enabling asymmetric routing support
In active/active HA mode, both firewalls can process traffic simultaneously, which requires enabling asymmetric routing support to handle traffic that may arrive at either firewall for the same session. This is necessary because active/active mode does not enforce a single path for traffic, unlike active/passive mode where only one firewall actively processes traffic.
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.
- ✗
Active/active eliminates the need for failover
Why it's wrong here
Failover is still needed if one firewall fails.
- ✓
Active/active requires enabling asymmetric routing support
Why this is correct
Needed to handle return traffic on different firewall.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Active/active allows both firewalls to process traffic simultaneously
Why this is correct
Traffic is load-balanced.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Active/active automatically synchronizes configuration changes
Why it's wrong here
Configuration sync works the same as in active/passive.
- ✗
Active/active is the default and most commonly deployed mode
Why it's wrong here
Active/passive is more common and default.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume active/active mode eliminates the need for failover or is the default mode, but in reality, failover is still required and active/passive is the default; the key differentiator is the need for asymmetric routing support in active/active mode.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In active/active HA, both firewalls share the same virtual IP addresses and MAC addresses, and asymmetric routing support (enabled via the 'asymmetric routing' option in the HA configuration) allows the firewall that receives a packet for a session initiated on the other firewall to forward it correctly. This is achieved through session ownership and state synchronization over the HA control link, ensuring that both firewalls have the session table entries needed to process traffic without dropping packets. In real-world deployments, active/active is often used in data center environments where traffic loads are high and symmetric routing cannot be guaranteed.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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.
Quick reference
Asymmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Exchange | Signatures | Equivalent Security Key | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RSA-3072 | Yes | Yes | 128-bit | Widely deployed; slow for bulk data |
| ECDSA P-256 | No | Yes | 128-bit | Fast signatures; standard TLS certs |
| ECDH / ECDHE | Yes | No | 128-bit | Perfect forward secrecy in TLS 1.3 |
| DH / DHE | Yes | No | 128-bit (3072-bit key) | Replaced by ECDHE in modern TLS |
| Ed25519 | No | Yes | ~128-bit | SSH keys, modern PKI |
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCNSE question test?
Managing Troubleshooting and High Availability — This question tests Managing Troubleshooting and High Availability — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Active/active requires enabling asymmetric routing support — In active/active HA mode, both firewalls can process traffic simultaneously, which requires enabling asymmetric routing support to handle traffic that may arrive at either firewall for the same session. This is necessary because active/active mode does not enforce a single path for traffic, unlike active/passive mode where only one firewall actively processes traffic.
What should I do if I get this PCNSE question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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