The answer is using the ‘Objects’ > ‘Application Filters’ menu and the ‘set application’ CLI command. These two methods are valid because they allow you to define a custom App-ID by specifying unique characteristics such as protocol, port, and application signature, directly creating a new application object on the firewall. On the PCNSE exam, this question tests your understanding of both GUI and CLI workflows for custom application creation, often appearing as a multiple-select item where common traps include confusing application filters with application groups or assuming only one interface is supported. A key memory tip is to remember that the GUI path under Objects handles filter-based definitions, while the CLI command ‘set application’ gives you direct control over signature and attribute parameters—think “GUI for filters, CLI for signatures” to avoid mixing them up.
PCNSE Securing Traffic and App-ID Practice Question
This PCNSE practice question tests your understanding of securing traffic and app-id. 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 of the following are valid methods to create a custom App-ID on a Palo Alto Networks firewall?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Using the 'set application' command in the CLI.
Option C is correct because the 'set application' CLI command allows you to define a custom App-ID by specifying characteristics such as protocol, port, and signature. This is a direct method to create a custom application object on a Palo Alto Networks firewall, as documented in the administrator's guide.
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.
✗
Right-clicking on a session in the Traffic log and selecting 'Create App-ID'.
Why it's wrong here
This option is available for application override, not custom App-ID creation.
✗
Using the 'Application Command Center' to automatically generate custom App-IDs.
Why it's wrong here
ACC is for monitoring, not creation.
✓
Using the 'set application' command in the CLI.
Why this is correct
CLI allows configuration of custom applications.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Using the 'Objects' > 'Application Filters' menu in the web interface.
Why this is correct
This is the standard method to create custom App-IDs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse 'Create Application Override' (which bypasses App-ID) with 'Create App-ID' (which defines a new application), leading them to select option A, or they may mistakenly think the ACC can generate App-IDs, which it cannot.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Custom App-IDs are defined using signatures that can include protocol decoders, port ranges, and content patterns. The 'set application' CLI command builds these signatures in the running configuration, which can then be committed. In real-world scenarios, custom App-IDs are often used to identify proprietary protocols or legacy applications that Palo Alto Networks' built-in App-ID database does not cover, requiring manual signature creation.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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.
Securing Traffic and App-ID — This question tests Securing Traffic and App-ID — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Using the 'set application' command in the CLI. — Option C is correct because the 'set application' CLI command allows you to define a custom App-ID by specifying characteristics such as protocol, port, and signature. This is a direct method to create a custom application object on a Palo Alto Networks firewall, as documented in the administrator's guide.
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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Question Discussion
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