Palo Alto Networks Palo Alto Networks Certifications PCSFE Questions & Answers

• Question 1:

  Which offering can gain visibility and prevent an attack by a malicious actor attempting to exploit a known web server vulnerability using encrypted communication?

  A. OCSP

  B. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Inbound Inspection

  C. Advanced URL Filtering (AURLF)

  D. WildFire

  Correct Answer: B

  Explanation: Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Inbound Inspection is the offering that can gain visibility and prevent an attack by a malicious actor attempting to exploit a known web server vulnerability using encrypted communication. SSL Inbound Inspection is a feature that allows the firewall to decrypt and inspect inbound SSL/TLS traffic from external clients to internal servers. SSL Inbound Inspection can gain visibility and prevent an attack by a malicious actor attempting to exploit a known web server vulnerability using encrypted communication by applying threat prevention technologies, such as antivirus, anti-spyware, vulnerability protection, URL filtering, file blocking, data filtering, and WildFire analysis, to the decrypted traffic and blocking any malicious content or activity. OCSP, Advanced URL Filtering (AURLF), and WildFire are not offerings that can gain visibility and prevent an attack by a malicious actor attempting to exploit a known web server vulnerability using encrypted communication, but they are related solutions that can enhance security and visibility. References: Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE), [SSL Inbound Inspection], [Threat Prevention Datasheet]

• Question 2:

  Which two routing options are supported by VM-Series? (Choose two.)

  A. OSPF

  B. RIP

  C. BGP

  D. IGRP

  Correct Answer: AC

  Explanation: The two routing options that are supported by VM-Series are: OSPF BGP Routing is a process that determines the best path for sending network packets from a source to a destination. Routing options are protocols or methods that enable routing between different networks or devices. VM-Series firewall is a virtualized version of the Palo Alto Networks next-generation firewall that can be deployed on various cloud or virtualization platforms. VM-Series firewall supports various routing options that allow it to participate in dynamic routing environments and exchange routing information with other routers or devices. OSPF and BGP are two routing options that are supported by VM- Series. OSPF is a routing option that uses link-state routing algorithm to determine the shortest path between routers within an autonomous system (AS). BGP is a routing option that uses path vector routing algorithm to determine the best path between routers across different autonomous systems (ASes). RIP and IGRP are not routing options that are supported by VM-Series, but they are related protocols that can be used for other purposes. References: [Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE)], [VM-Series Deployment Guide], [Routing Overview], [What is OSPF?], [What is BGP?]

• Question 3:

  Where do CN-Series devices obtain a VM-Series authorization key?

  A. Panorama

  B. Local installation

  C. GitHub

  D. Customer Support Portal

  Correct Answer: A

  Explanation: CN-Series devices obtain a VM-Series authorization key from Panorama. Panorama is a centralized management server that provides visibility and control over multiple Palo Alto Networks firewalls and devices. A VM-Series authorization key is a license key that activates the VM-Series firewall features and capacities. CN-Series devices obtain a VM-Series authorization key from Panorama by registering with Panorama using their CPU ID and requesting an authorization code from Panorama's license pool. Panorama then generates an authorization key for the CN-Series device and sends it back to the device for activation. CN-Series devices do not obtain a VM-Series authorization key from local installation, GitHub, or Customer Support Portal, as those are not valid or relevant sources for license management. References: Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE), [Panorama Overview], [VM-Series Licensing Overview], [CN-Series Licensing]

• Question 4:

  Regarding network segmentation, which two steps are involved in the configuration of a default route to an internet router? (Choose two.)

  A. Select the Static Routes tab, then click Add.

  B. Select Network > Interfaces.

  C. Select the Config tab. then select New Route from the Security Zone Route drop-down menu.

  D. Select Network > Virtual Router, then select the default link to open the Virtual Router dialog.

  Correct Answer: AD

  Explanation: To configure a default route to an internet router, you need to select Network > Virtual Router, then select the default link to open the Virtual Router dialog. Then, select the Static Routes tab, then click Add. You can then specify the destination as 0.0.0.0/0 and the next hop as the IP address of the internet router1. References: Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE)

• Question 5:

  Why are VM-Series firewalls and hardware firewalls that are external to the Kubernetes cluster problematic for protecting containerized workloads?

  A. They are located outside the cluster and have no visibility into application-level cluster traffic.

  B. They do not scale independently of the Kubernetes cluster.

  C. They are managed by another entity when located inside the cluster.

  D. They function differently based on whether they are located inside or outside of the cluster.

  Correct Answer: A

  Explanation: VM-Series firewalls and hardware firewalls that are external to the Kubernetes cluster are problematic for protecting containerized workloads because they are located outside the cluster and have no visibility into application-level cluster traffic. Kubernetes is a platform that provides orchestration, automation, and management of containerized applications. Kubernetes cluster traffic consists of traffic between containers within a pod, across pods, or across namespaces. VM-Series firewalls and hardware firewalls that are external to the Kubernetes cluster cannot inspect or control this traffic, as they only see the encapsulated or aggregated traffic at the network layer. This creates blind spots and security gaps for containerized workloads. VM-Series firewalls and hardware firewalls that are external to the Kubernetes cluster are not problematic for protecting containerized workloads because they do not scale independently of the Kubernetes cluster, are managed by another entity when located inside the cluster, or function differently based on whether they are located inside or outside of the cluster, as those are not valid reasons or scenarios for firewall deployment in a Kubernetes environment. References: Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE), [CN-Series Concepts], [VM-Series on Kubernetes]

• Question 6:

  Which two valid components are used in installation of a VM-Series firewall in an OpenStack environment? (Choose two.)

  A. OpenStack heat template in JSON format

  B. OpenStack heat template in YAML Ain't Markup Language (YAML) format

  C. VM-Series VHD image

  D. VM-Series qcow2 image

  Correct Answer: BD

  Explanation: The two valid components that are used in installation of a VM-Series firewall in an OpenStack environment are: OpenStack heat template in YAML Ain't Markup Language (YAML) format VM-Series qcow2 image OpenStack is a cloud computing platform that provides infrastructure as a service (IaaS) for deploying and managing virtual machines (VMs) and other resources. OpenStack environment requires network security that can protect the traffic between VMs or other cloud services from cyberattacks and enforce granular security policies based on application, user, content, and threat information. VM-Series firewall is a virtualized version of the Palo Alto Networks next-generation firewall that can be deployed on various cloud or virtualization platforms, including OpenStack. OpenStack heat template in YAML format is a valid component that is used in installation of a VM-Series firewall in an OpenStack environment. OpenStack heat template is a file that defines the resources and configuration for deploying and managing a VM-Series firewall instance on OpenStack. YAML is a human-readable data serialization language that is commonly used for configuration files. YAML format is supported for OpenStack heat templates for VM-Series firewalls. VM-Series qcow2 image is a valid component that is used in installation of a VM- Series firewall in an OpenStack environment. VM-Series qcow2 image is a file that contains the software image of the VM-Series firewall for OpenStack. qcow2 is a disk image format that supports features such as compression, encryption, snapshots, and copy-on-write. qcow2 format is supported for VM-Series images for OpenStack. OpenStack heat template in JSON format and VM-Series VHD image are not valid components that are used in installation of a VM-Series firewall in an OpenStack environment, as those are not supported formats for OpenStack heat templates or VM-Series images. References: Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE), [Deploy the VM-Series Firewall on OpenStack], [What is YAML?], [What is qcow2?]

• Question 7:

  Which two criteria are required to deploy VM-Series firewalls in high availability (HA)? (Choose two.)

  A. Assignment of identical licenses and subscriptions

  B. Deployment on a different host

  C. Configuration of asymmetric routing

  D. Deployment on same type of hypervisor

  Correct Answer: AB

  Explanation: To deploy VM-Series firewalls in high availability (HA), you need to assign identical licenses and subscriptions, and deploy them on a different host. Assigning identical licenses and subscriptions ensures that both firewalls have the same features and capabilities. Deploying them on a different host ensures that they are not affected by the same host failure. References: [VM-Series High Availability]

• Question 8:

  What are two requirements for automating service deployment of a VM-Series firewall from an NSX Manager? (Choose two.)

  A. vCenter has been given Palo Alto Networks subscription licenses for VM-Series firewalls.

  B. Panorama has been configured to recognize both the NSX Manager and vCenter.

  C. The deployed VM-Series firewall can establish communications with Panorama.

  D. Panorama can establish communications to the public Palo Alto Networks update servers.

  Correct Answer: BC

  Explanation: The two requirements for automating service deployment of a VM-Series firewall from an NSX Manager are: Panorama has been configured to recognize both the NSX Manager and vCenter. The deployed VM-Series firewall can establish communications with Panorama. NSX Manager is a software component that provides centralized management and control of the NSX environment, including network virtualization, automation, and security. Service deployment is a process that involves deploying and configuring network services, such as firewalls, load balancers, or routers, on the NSX environment. VM-Series firewall is a virtualized version of the Palo Alto Networks next-generation firewall that can be deployed on various cloud or virtualization platforms, including NSX. Panorama is a centralized management server that provides visibility and control over multiple Palo Alto Networks firewalls and devices. Panorama has been configured to recognize both the NSX Manager and vCenter is a requirement for automating service deployment of a VM-Series firewall from an NSX Manager. vCenter is a software component that provides centralized management and control of the VMware environment, including hypervisors, virtual machines, and other resources. Panorama has been configured to recognize both the NSX Manager and vCenter by adding them as VMware service managers and enabling service insertion for VM-Series firewalls on NSX. This allows Panorama to communicate with the NSX Manager and vCenter, retrieve information about the NSX environment, and deploy and manage VM-Series firewalls as network services on the NSX environment. The deployed VM-Series firewall can establish communications with Panorama is a requirement for automating service deployment of a VM-Series firewall from an NSX Manager. The deployed VM-Series firewall can establish communications with Panorama by registering with Panorama using its serial number or IP address, and receiving configuration updates and policy rules from Panorama. This allows the VM-Series firewall to operate as part of the Panorama management domain, synchronize its settings and status with Panorama, and report its logs and statistics to Panorama. vCenter has been given Palo Alto Networks subscription licenses for VM-Series firewalls and Panorama can establish communications to the public Palo Alto Networks update servers are not requirements for automating service deployment of a VM-Series firewall from an NSX Manager, as those are not related or relevant factors for service deployment automation. References: [Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE)], [Deploy the VM-Series Firewall on VMware NSX-T], [Panorama Overview], [VMware Service Manager], [Register the Firewall with Panorama]

• Question 9:

  How is traffic directed to a Palo Alto Networks firewall integrated with Cisco ACI?

  A. By using contracts between endpoint groups that send traffic to the firewall using a shared policy

  B. Through a virtual machine (VM) monitor domain

  C. Through a policy-based redirect

  D. By creating an access policy

  Correct Answer: C

  Explanation: Traffic is directed to a Palo Alto Networks firewall integrated with Cisco ACI through a policy-based redirect. Cisco ACI is a software-defined network (SDN) solution that provides network automation, orchestration, and visibility. A policy-based redirect is a mechanism that allows Cisco ACI to redirect traffic from one endpoint group (EPG) to another EPG through a service device, such as a Palo Alto Networks firewall. The firewall can then inspect and enforce security policies on the redirected traffic before sending it back to Cisco ACI. Traffic is not directed to a Palo Alto Networks firewall integrated with Cisco ACI by using contracts between endpoint groups that send traffic to the firewall using a shared policy, through a virtual machine (VM) monitor domain, or by creating an access policy, as those are not valid methods for traffic redirection in Cisco ACI. References: Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE), [Deploy the VM-Series Firewall on Cisco ACI], [Cisco ACI Policy-Based Redirect]

• Question 10:

  What does the number of required flex credits for a VM-Series firewall depend on?

  A. vCPU allocation

  B. IP address allocation

  C. Network interface allocation

  D. Memory allocation

  Correct Answer: A

  Explanation: The number of required flex credits for a VM-Series firewall depends on vCPU allocation. Flex credits are a flexible licensing model that allows customers to purchase and consume software NGFWs as needed, without having to specify the platform or deployment model upfront. Customers can use flex credits to provision VM-Series firewalls on any supported cloud or virtualization platform. The number of required flex credits for a VM-Series firewall depends on vCPU allocation, which is the number of virtual CPUs assigned to the VM-Series firewall instance. The vCPU allocation determines the performance and capacity of the VM-Series firewall instance, such as throughput, sessions, policies, rules, and features. The number of required flex credits for a VM-Series firewall does not depend on IP address allocation, network interface allocation, or memory allocation, as those are not factors that affect the licensing cost or consumption of flex credits. References: Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE), [Flex Credits Datasheet], [Flex Credits FAQ], [VM-Series System Requirements]