- A
The authentication sequence must be configured to 'require all' or 'continue on success' to enforce each factor.
To require all factors in the sequence, the sequence type must be set to 'require all' or 'continue on success' so each factor is attempted regardless of previous success.
- B
The RADIUS server profile has the wrong shared secret.
Why wrong: This would cause RADIUS authentication to fail, but the LDAP success would still complete the sequence if set to continue on failure.
- C
The authentication policy only covers HTTP applications.
Why wrong: The authentication policy's application match does not affect which authentication factors are invoked.
- D
The authentication sequence is set to 'continue on failure' and the LDAP authentication succeeds.
Why wrong: 'Continue on failure' means if the first factor fails, it tries the next. If LDAP succeeds, the sequence stops and RADIUS is never attempted.
Authentication Sequence for MFA: LDAP and RADIUS
This PCNSE practice question tests your understanding of securing users and applications with authentication. 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 company has configured multi-factor authentication (MFA) via an authentication sequence using LDAP and RADIUS. Users authenticate successfully with LDAP but the MFA prompt from RADIUS does not appear. 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 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
The authentication sequence must be configured to 'require all' or 'continue on success' to enforce each factor.
When using an authentication sequence in Palo Alto Networks firewalls, the sequence must be configured with the 'require all' or 'continue on success' option to enforce each factor in order. With 'continue on success', after LDAP succeeds, the firewall proceeds to the next factor (RADIUS MFA). If the sequence is set to 'continue on failure' (the default), the firewall stops after the first successful authentication and never attempts the second factor, so the MFA prompt never appears.
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 authentication sequence must be configured to 'require all' or 'continue on success' to enforce each factor.
Why this is correct
To require all factors in the sequence, the sequence type must be set to 'require all' or 'continue on success' so each factor is attempted regardless of previous success.
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 RADIUS server profile has the wrong shared secret.
Why it's wrong here
This would cause RADIUS authentication to fail, but the LDAP success would still complete the sequence if set to continue on failure.
- ✗
The authentication policy only covers HTTP applications.
Why it's wrong here
The authentication policy's application match does not affect which authentication factors are invoked.
- ✗
The authentication sequence is set to 'continue on failure' and the LDAP authentication succeeds.
Why it's wrong here
'Continue on failure' means if the first factor fails, it tries the next. If LDAP succeeds, the sequence stops and RADIUS is never attempted.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
In Palo Alto Networks, the default behavior for authentication sequences is 'continue on failure', which means the firewall only moves to the next authentication factor if the current one fails. If LDAP succeeds, it never attempts RADIUS. Candidates often assume that simply adding multiple methods enforces all factors, but the sequence must be set to 'continue on success' or 'require all' to enforce MFA properly.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Palo Alto Networks authentication sequences support three modes: 'continue on failure' (default), 'continue on success', and 'require all'. The 'require all' mode forces all configured authentication factors to succeed, while 'continue on success' proceeds to the next factor only if the current one succeeds. Under the hood, the firewall's authentication daemon (authd) processes the sequence in order, and if the mode is not set to continue on success or require all, it will not invoke the RADIUS server for MFA after a successful LDAP bind. In real-world deployments, this is a common misconfiguration when integrating LDAP for primary authentication and RADIUS for OTP or push-based MFA.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
Quick reference
AAA Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port(s) | Encryption | Transport | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RADIUS | 1812 / 1813 | Password only | UDP | Network access control |
| TACACS+ | 49 | Full packet | TCP | Device administration |
| Diameter | 3868 | Full session | TCP / SCTP | Carrier / mobile networks |
| 802.1X | — | EAP-based | Layer 2 | Port-based access control |
TACACS+ encrypts the entire packet; RADIUS only encrypts the password field — a key exam distinction.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Securing Users and Applications with Authentication — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCNSE question test?
Securing Users and Applications with Authentication — This question tests Securing Users and Applications with Authentication — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The authentication sequence must be configured to 'require all' or 'continue on success' to enforce each factor. — When using an authentication sequence in Palo Alto Networks firewalls, the sequence must be configured with the 'require all' or 'continue on success' option to enforce each factor in order. With 'continue on success', after LDAP succeeds, the firewall proceeds to the next factor (RADIUS MFA). If the sequence is set to 'continue on failure' (the default), the firewall stops after the first successful authentication and never attempts the second factor, so the MFA prompt never appears.
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.
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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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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