- A
Create a syslog server profile under Device > Server Profiles > Syslog.
A syslog server profile is required to define the destination syslog server.
- B
Create an SNMP trap profile under Device > Server Profiles > SNMP Trap.
Why wrong: SNMP trap profiles are used for SNMP notifications, not syslog forwarding.
- C
Directly apply the syslog server profile to each Security policy rule.
Why wrong: Syslog server profiles cannot be directly applied to policy rules; they must be referenced via a Log Forwarding profile.
- D
Enable log forwarding under the firewall's Device > Setup > Logging and Reporting settings.
Why wrong: There is no global log forwarding setting; it is configured per rule via Log Forwarding profiles.
- E
Create a Log Forwarding profile that references the syslog server profile and apply it to Security policy rules.
The Log Forwarding profile ties the syslog server profile to the policy rule for forwarding logs.
Configure Log Forwarding to Syslog Server
This PCNSE practice question tests your understanding of manage, monitor and operate. 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 systems administrator needs to configure log forwarding to an external syslog server for Security policies. Which two actions are required to achieve this? (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
Create a syslog server profile under Device > Server Profiles > Syslog.
Option A is correct because a syslog server profile must first be created under Device > Server Profiles > Syslog to define the external syslog server's IP address, port (default 514), and transport protocol (UDP/TCP). This profile is a prerequisite for any log forwarding to an external syslog server.
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.
- ✓
Create a syslog server profile under Device > Server Profiles > Syslog.
Why this is correct
A syslog server profile is required to define the destination syslog server.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Create an SNMP trap profile under Device > Server Profiles > SNMP Trap.
- ✗
Directly apply the syslog server profile to each Security policy rule.
Why it's wrong here
Syslog server profiles cannot be directly applied to policy rules; they must be referenced via a Log Forwarding profile.
- ✗
Enable log forwarding under the firewall's Device > Setup > Logging and Reporting settings.
Why it's wrong here
There is no global log forwarding setting; it is configured per rule via Log Forwarding profiles.
- ✓
Create a Log Forwarding profile that references the syslog server profile and apply it to Security policy rules.
Why this is correct
The Log Forwarding profile ties the syslog server profile to the policy rule for forwarding logs.
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 mistakenly think a syslog server profile can be applied directly to a Security policy rule, but the PCNSE exam requires understanding that a Log Forwarding profile is the mandatory intermediary object.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the Log Forwarding profile acts as a mapping layer that associates a syslog server profile with specific log types (e.g., traffic, threat) and filtering criteria. This design allows granular control—for example, forwarding only high-severity threats to one syslog server while sending all traffic logs to another—without modifying individual policy rules. In real-world deployments, this decoupling simplifies auditing and troubleshooting when multiple syslog servers are used for compliance or redundancy.
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.
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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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCNSE question test?
Manage, Monitor and Operate — This question tests Manage, Monitor and Operate — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a syslog server profile under Device > Server Profiles > Syslog. — Option A is correct because a syslog server profile must first be created under Device > Server Profiles > Syslog to define the external syslog server's IP address, port (default 514), and transport protocol (UDP/TCP). This profile is a prerequisite for any log forwarding to an external syslog server.
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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