The correct commands are `firewall-cmd --add-service=https --permanent` and `firewall-cmd --add-rich-rule='rule family=ipv4 source address=192.168.1.100 service name=ssh drop' --permanent`. This configuration works because firewalld uses zones and services to simplify rule creation—adding the HTTPS service opens TCP port 443 globally, while the rich rule allows you to apply a conditional drop action specifically for SSH traffic from the 192.168.1.100 source IP. On the Red Hat Certified System Administrator EX200 exam, this tests your ability to combine standard service rules with rich-rule syntax for source-based access control, a common scenario where candidates mistakenly try to use `--add-source` or forget the `--permanent` flag. A frequent trap is assuming that denying SSH from one IP requires removing the SSH service entirely, but the rich rule’s `drop` action overrides the default allow only for that source. Memory tip: think “HTTPS is global, SSH is targeted—rich rules handle the exceptions.”
EX200 Manage security Practice Question
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of manage security. 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 system administrator needs to configure a firewall using firewalld to allow incoming HTTPS traffic and deny incoming SSH traffic from a specific source IP 192.168.1.100. Which two commands should be run? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
firewall-cmd --add-service=https --permanent
Option C is correct because `firewall-cmd --add-service=https --permanent` adds the HTTPS service (TCP port 443) to the permanent firewall configuration, which is required to allow incoming HTTPS traffic persistently across reboots. The `--permanent` flag ensures the rule survives a reload or restart, and the `--add-service` option uses predefined service definitions from firewalld to simplify rule creation.
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.
✗
firewall-cmd --runtime-to-permanent
Why it's wrong here
This saves runtime config, but the needed rules were not added.
✗
firewall-cmd --add-rich-rule='rule family=ipv4 source address=192.168.1.100 service name=ssh reject' --permanent
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 often confuse `reject` with `drop` in rich rules, or they mistakenly add the HTTP service instead of HTTPS, failing to distinguish between the two services and their respective ports.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Firewalld uses zones and services to manage firewall rules; the `--add-service=https` command references the `/usr/lib/firewalld/services/https.xml` file, which defines the protocol (tcp) and port (443). Rich rules provide granular control, and the `drop` action in a rich rule causes the kernel to silently discard matching packets without sending any response, which is more secure than `reject` because it does not reveal the existence of the firewall. The `--permanent` flag writes the rule to the XML configuration files in `/etc/firewalld/zones/`, ensuring persistence across firewalld reloads or system reboots.
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 security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
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.
Manage security — This question tests Manage security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: firewall-cmd --add-service=https --permanent — Option C is correct because `firewall-cmd --add-service=https --permanent` adds the HTTPS service (TCP port 443) to the permanent firewall configuration, which is required to allow incoming HTTPS traffic persistently across reboots. The `--permanent` flag ensures the rule survives a reload or restart, and the `--add-service` option uses predefined service definitions from firewalld to simplify rule creation.
What should I do if I get this EX200 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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