PCNSE Deploy and Configure Firewalls Practice Question
This PCNSE practice question tests your understanding of deploy and configure firewalls. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
Exhibit
admin@PA-5050> show running security-policy
rulebase security rules {
"Permit-Web" {
from "trust"
to "untrust"
source "10.0.0.0/8"
destination "any"
application "web-browsing"
action "allow"
}
}
Refer to the exhibit. A user in the 10.0.0.0/8 network is unable to access a web server at 172.16.1.10 which is in the DMZ zone. The firewall's security policy is shown. What is the most likely reason for the failure?
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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The policy specifies the 'untrust' zone instead of the 'dmz' zone.
Option B is correct because the policy's destination zone is 'untrust', but the server is in the 'dmz' zone, so the traffic does not match this policy. Option A is incorrect because web-browsing is a valid application for HTTP traffic. Option C is incorrect because the source range is broad enough to include the user. Option D is incorrect because the action is 'allow'.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 source IP range 10.0.0.0/8 is misconfigured.
Why it's wrong here
The source range is appropriate and includes the user's IP.
✓
The policy specifies the 'untrust' zone instead of the 'dmz' zone.
Why this is correct
The traffic to the DMZ server must match a policy with destination zone 'dmz'.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
The policy is missing a 'permit' action.
Why it's wrong here
The action is already set to 'allow'.
✗
The application 'web-browsing' is not the correct application for the traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Web-browsing is the correct application for standard HTTP traffic.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related PCNSE NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Deploy and Configure Firewalls — This question tests Deploy and Configure Firewalls — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The policy specifies the 'untrust' zone instead of the 'dmz' zone. — Option B is correct because the policy's destination zone is 'untrust', but the server is in the 'dmz' zone, so the traffic does not match this policy. Option A is incorrect because web-browsing is a valid application for HTTP traffic. Option C is incorrect because the source range is broad enough to include the user. Option D is incorrect because the action is 'allow'.
What should I do if I get this PCNSE question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related PCNSE NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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