Top 45 Basic
Firewall
Configuration
Interview Q&A
with Explanations
45 MCQ Q&A for Basic Firewall Configuration | [email protected] | +91 9739521088
Contents
1. What is the process for the initial setup of a Palo Alto Firewall? .................................... 4
2. Explain the interface types in Palo Alto Firewalls and their configurations. .................... 4
3. How do you configure the management interface on a Palo Alto firewall? ..................... 4
4. What are the steps to configure Source NAT in a Palo Alto firewall? ............................. 5
5. Describe the process of Destination NAT configuration. ................................................ 5
6. How is Static NAT configured in Palo Alto firewalls? ......................................................... 5
7. How do you create zones and security policies in a Palo Alto firewall? .......................... 6
8. Explain the configuration of OSPF in a Palo Alto firewall. .............................................. 6
9. How do you configure BGP on a Palo Alto firewall? ....................................................... 6
10. What is the purpose of a Virtual Router, and how is it configured? .............................. 6
11. How do you configure High Availability (HA) in Palo Alto firewalls? ............................. 7
12. What is the purpose of a security profile, and how is it applied in Palo Alto? ............... 7
13. How do you configure GlobalProtect VPN on a Palo Alto firewall? .............................. 7
14. Explain the use of an Application Override policy in Palo Alto...................................... 8
15. How do you configure URL filtering in Palo Alto firewalls? ........................................... 8
16. How do you perform traffic monitoring using Palo Alto firewalls? ................................. 8
17. What is User-ID, and how is it configured? .................................................................. 8
18. How do you configure Decryption policies in Palo Alto?............................................... 9
19. Explain the steps to create a custom App-ID in Palo Alto firewalls. .............................. 9
20. How do you configure a Site-to-Site VPN on Palo Alto firewalls? ................................. 9
21. What is the purpose of log forwarding, and how do you configure it?........................... 9
22. How do you configure DHCP on a Palo Alto firewall? ................................................ 10
23. What is the purpose of WildFire in Palo Alto, and how is it configured? ..................... 10
24. How do you configure external dynamic lists (EDLs) in Palo Alto? ............................ 10
25. How do you set up NAT for overlapping IP addresses in Palo Alto firewalls? ............ 11
26. How do you troubleshoot failed connections in Palo Alto firewalls? ........................... 11
27. What is Zone Protection, and how do you configure it? ............................................. 11
28. How do you configure Dynamic Address Groups in Palo Alto? .................................. 11
29. Explain the concept of Panorama in Palo Alto Networks............................................ 12
30. How do you implement traffic shaping in Palo Alto firewalls? ..................................... 12
31. How do you configure a failover policy in Palo Alto Firewalls? ................................... 12
32. How does Palo Alto firewall handle SSL Decryption, and what are the configuration
steps?.............................................................................................................................. 12
33. How do you configure an IPsec VPN in Palo Alto? .................................................... 13
45 MCQ Q&A for Python for Basic Firewall Configuration| [email protected] | +91 9739521088
45 MCQ Q&A for Basic Firewall Configuration | [email protected] | +91 9739521088
34. What is a Dynamic IP Pool, and how do you configure it in Palo Alto? ...................... 13
35. How do you configure an IPv6 address on a Palo Alto firewall interface? .................. 13
36. How do you configure SSL/TLS Service Profile in Palo Alto? .................................... 14
37. How do you enable logging for denied traffic on Palo Alto firewalls?.......................... 14
38. How can you prevent DDoS attacks using Palo Alto firewalls? .................................. 14
39. How do you configure NAT Policy for a DMZ network in Palo Alto? ........................... 15
40. How do you configure network interfaces for Virtual Routers in Palo Alto firewalls? .. 15
41. What is the purpose of a Traffic Profile in Palo Alto firewall? ..................................... 15
42. How do you configure application-based policy rules in Palo Alto? ............................ 16
43. How do you configure Time-based security policies in Palo Alto? .............................. 16
44. What is a Security Profile Group in Palo Alto, and how do you configure it? .............. 16
45. How do you configure Active/Passive HA with Link Monitoring in Palo Alto? ............. 17
45 MCQ Q&A for Python for Basic Firewall Configuration| [email protected] | +91 9739521088
45 MCQ Q&A for Basic Firewall Configuration | [email protected] | +91 9739521088
1. What is the process for the initial setup of a Palo Alto
Firewall?
The initial setup of a Palo Alto Firewall involves connecting to the device, assigning a
management IP address, and configuring basic parameters. Access the firewall via the
console port or default web interface (default IP: 192.168.1.1). Use credentials admin/admin
for login. Navigate to the Device tab, set a static IP address for the management interface,
and ensure network connectivity. Save the configuration and test access via SSH or HTTPS.
Example:
During a deployment, I configured the management interface with IP 10.0.0.1/24 and set a
default gateway to 10.0.0.254. This allowed remote management access.
2. Explain the interface types in Palo Alto Firewalls and their
configurations.
Palo Alto firewalls support Layer 2, Layer 3, and Virtual Wire interfaces:
Layer 2: Used for VLANs; configure the interface in Layer 2 mode and assign a
VLAN.
Layer 3: Used for routing; assign an IP address and enable dynamic/static routing.
Virtual Wire: Transparent mode; traffic passes between two interfaces without IP
assignment.
Example:
I configured a Layer 3 interface with IP 192.168.1.1/24 for internal traffic and enabled
DHCP to assign IPs dynamically.
3. How do you configure the management interface on a Palo
Alto firewall?
The management interface is set up under Device > Setup > Management. Assign a static
IP, subnet mask, and default gateway. Configure DNS settings for resolving domain names.
Limit access by specifying allowed IP ranges and enabling HTTPS/SSH.
Example:
I set the management interface to 172.16.1.10/24, added a gateway 172.16.1.1, and
restricted access to the IT team’s subnet 172.16.1.0/24.
45 MCQ Q&A for Python for Basic Firewall Configuration| [email protected] | +91 9739521088
45 MCQ Q&A for Basic Firewall Configuration | [email protected] | +91 9739521088
4. What are the steps to configure Source NAT in a Palo Alto
firewall?
Source NAT translates internal private IPs to public IPs for outbound internet traffic. Go to
Policies > NAT, create a new rule, and specify source zones, destination zones, and
translated IP ranges. Under NAT type, select Dynamic IP and Port.
Example:
Configured a rule to translate all traffic from the 192.168.0.0/24 subnet to the public IP
203.0.113.10.
5. Describe the process of Destination NAT configuration.
Destination NAT maps public IP addresses to internal private servers. Create a NAT rule,
specify destination zones, public IP, and translated IP. Use security policies to allow
incoming traffic.
Example:
Set up a Destination NAT rule to map public IP 203.0.113.20 to internal web server
192.168.1.100 for port 80.
6. How is Static NAT configured in Palo Alto
firewalls?
Static NAT maps one-to-one IP addresses, providing consistent mapping. In the NAT rule,
set both source and destination addresses to remain unchanged during translation.
Example:
Configured Static NAT for a database server with a public IP of 198.51.100.10 mapped to
10.1.1.10.
45 MCQ Q&A for Python for Basic Firewall Configuration| [email protected] | +91 9739521088
45 MCQ Q&A for Basic Firewall Configuration | [email protected] | +91 9739521088
7. How do you create zones and security policies in a Palo Alto
firewall?
Zones segment traffic logically. Under Network > Zones, create zones and assign interfaces.
Security policies control traffic flow between zones; under Policies > Security, define
rules with source/destination zones, IPs, and allowed actions.
Example:
Created a Trust zone for internal users and an Untrust zone for internet access. Configured
a policy allowing traffic from Trust to Untrust for HTTP/HTTPS.
8. Explain the configuration of OSPF in a Palo Alto firewall.
OSPF is configured under Network > Virtual Routers. Define OSPF areas and link
interfaces to those areas. Advertise networks and set parameters like cost and priority.
Example:
Configured OSPF area 0.0.0.0 and advertised the 10.0.0.0/24 and 172.16.1.0/24
networks.
9. How do you configure BGP on a Palo Alto firewall?
BGP setup involves configuring peers and advertising networks under Network > Virtual
Routers > BGP. Add neighbors, set AS numbers, and define routing policies.
Example:
Established BGP peering with ISP using AS 64512 and advertised the 192.168.0.0/16
network.
10. What is the purpose of a Virtual Router, and how is it
configured?
A Virtual Router (VR) handles routing within the firewall. Configure it under Network >
Virtual Routers. Add static routes, enable dynamic routing protocols (OSPF, BGP), and
assign interfaces.
45 MCQ Q&A for Python for Basic Firewall Configuration| [email protected] | +91 9739521088
45 MCQ Q&A for Basic Firewall Configuration | [email protected] | +91 9739521088
Example:
Set up a VR with a default static route (0.0.0.0/0) to the gateway 10.0.0.254, enabling
internet access for internal subnets.
11. How do you configure High Availability (HA) in Palo Alto
firewalls?
High Availability (HA) ensures redundancy. Under Device > High Availability,
configure the firewalls in Active/Passive or Active/Active mode. Set the Group ID, Peer IP,
and authentication key. Synchronize configurations between firewalls and define link
monitoring for failover.
Example:
I configured an Active/Passive HA pair with one firewall as primary and another as backup.
The primary failed over seamlessly during testing.
12. What is the purpose of a security profile, and how is it
applied in Palo Alto?
Security profiles protect against threats. Examples include antivirus, anti-spyware, and URL
filtering profiles. Apply these under Policies > Security by attaching profiles to rules.
Example:
I created a URL filtering profile to block social media and applied it to a policy for the Trust
zone.
13. How do you configure GlobalProtect VPN on a Palo Alto
firewall?
GlobalProtect is set up under Network > GlobalProtect. Configure a portal and gateway,
set authentication methods, and assign client configurations. Create a security policy to allow
VPN traffic.
Example:
I configured GlobalProtect for remote users with MFA, ensuring secure access to internal
resources.
45 MCQ Q&A for Python for Basic Firewall Configuration| [email protected] | +91 9739521088
45 MCQ Q&A for Basic Firewall Configuration | [email protected] | +91 9739521088
14. Explain the use of an Application Override policy in Palo
Alto.
Application Override bypasses App-ID and uses port-based rules for specific traffic.
Configure it under Policies > Application Override. Define source/destination zones,
IPs, and ports.
Example:
I used Application Override to allow a custom internal application running on port 9001
without inspection.
15. How do you configure URL filtering in Palo Alto firewalls?
URL filtering restricts web access. Under Objects > URL Filtering, define categories
(e.g., social media, gambling). Apply the profile in security policies to enforce restrictions.
Example:
I blocked access to streaming sites for employees during work hours by applying a URL
filtering profile.
16. How do you perform traffic monitoring using Palo Alto
firewalls?
Use the Monitor > Logs section for traffic logs, threat logs, and session details. Set up log
forwarding to a Syslog server for centralized analysis.
Example:
I identified unusual traffic to an unknown IP using traffic logs and mitigated a potential
threat.
17. What is User-ID, and how is it configured?
User-ID maps user identities to IPs. Configure it under Device > User Identification
and integrate with directory services like Active Directory. Apply user-based policies.
Example:
I allowed specific user groups access to a financial application by integrating User-ID with
Active Directory.
45 MCQ Q&A for Python for Basic Firewall Configuration| [email protected] | +91 9739521088
45 MCQ Q&A for Basic Firewall Configuration | [email protected] | +91 9739521088
18. How do you configure Decryption policies in Palo Alto?
Under Policies > Decryption, create rules to decrypt HTTPS traffic. Install a decryption
certificate on client systems and apply rules based on source/destination zones.
Example:
I enabled HTTPS decryption for outbound traffic to inspect threats while excluding financial
and healthcare sites.
19. Explain the steps to create a custom App-ID in Palo Alto
firewalls.
Under Objects > Applications, create a custom App-ID. Define application criteria like
protocol, port, and patterns. Use it in security policies.
Example:
I created a custom App-ID for an in-house VoIP application and applied it to prioritize traffic.
20. How do you configure a Site-to-Site VPN on Palo Alto
firewalls?
Under Network > IPsec Tunnels, configure the tunnel, define peers, and set IKE/IPsec
parameters. Create security policies to allow traffic.
Example:
I established a Site-to-Site VPN with a partner's network for secure file sharing over the
public internet.
21. What is the purpose of log forwarding, and how do you
configure it?
Log forwarding sends logs to external servers like Syslog or Panorama for centralized
management. Configure it under Device > Log Forwarding.
45 MCQ Q&A for Python for Basic Firewall Configuration| [email protected] | +91 9739521088
45 MCQ Q&A for Basic Firewall Configuration | [email protected] | +91 9739521088
Example:
I configured Syslog integration to send all threat logs to a SIEM for advanced correlation and
reporting.
22. How do you configure DHCP on a Palo Alto firewall?
Under Network > DHCP, enable DHCP on an interface and define IP pools, lease duration,
and DNS servers.
Example:
I configured a DHCP server on the internal interface, dynamically assigning IPs to the
192.168.10.0/24 network.
23. What is the purpose of WildFire in Palo Alto, and how is it
configured?
WildFire analyzes unknown threats. Enable it under Device > Setup > WildFire. Attach it
to a security profile for real-time threat analysis.
Example:
I detected a zero-day malware file by enabling WildFire on outbound email traffic.
24. How do you configure external dynamic lists (EDLs) in Palo
Alto?
EDLs import threat feeds for blocking. Configure them under Objects > External
Dynamic Lists, specifying the source URL. Use in policies.
Example:
I blocked IPs from a known malicious list by integrating an EDL from my threat intelligence
provider.
45 MCQ Q&A for Python for Basic Firewall Configuration| [email protected] | +91 9739521088
45 MCQ Q&A for Basic Firewall Configuration | [email protected] | +91 9739521088
25. How do you set up NAT for overlapping IP addresses in
Palo Alto firewalls?
Use bi-directional NAT with policy-based rules. Translate source and destination IPs to avoid
overlap.
Example:
I translated traffic between 192.168.1.0/24 and a remote site using 172.16.1.0/24 to
prevent conflict.
26. How do you troubleshoot failed connections in Palo Alto
firewalls?
Use the Test command in CLI (test security-policy-match) and logs in the GUI under
Monitor > Traffic.
Example:
I identified a policy mismatch causing blocked SSH traffic and adjusted the security policy.
27. What is Zone Protection, and how do you configure it?
Zone Protection defends against flood attacks. Configure it under Network > Zones > Zone
Protection Profile.
Example:
I enabled SYN flood protection with thresholds to safeguard the perimeter network from
DDoS attacks.
28. How do you configure Dynamic Address Groups in Palo
Alto?
Dynamic Address Groups (DAGs) allow dynamic policy updates. Configure them under
Objects > Address Groups and use them in policies.
Example:
I used a DAG to block IPs flagged as malicious by an automated threat feed.
45 MCQ Q&A for Python for Basic Firewall Configuration| [email protected] | +91 9739521088
45 MCQ Q&A for Basic Firewall Configuration | [email protected] | +91 9739521088
29. Explain the concept of Panorama in Palo Alto Networks.
Panorama provides centralized management for multiple firewalls. Configure it under Device
> Setup > Panorama. Import and push configurations to connected firewalls.
Example:
I used Panorama to standardize security policies across 20 firewalls in different regions.
30. How do you implement traffic shaping in Palo Alto firewalls?
Use QoS under Network > QoS to prioritize traffic. Define QoS profiles and apply them to
interfaces.
Example:
I assigned higher priority to VoIP traffic using QoS to ensure call quality during peak hours.
31. How do you configure a failover policy in Palo Alto
Firewalls?
To configure a failover policy, set up HA (High Availability) under Device > High
Availability > General. Define the monitoring interfaces, set the failover threshold, and
enable HA synchronization. The failover mechanism will switch to the secondary firewall if
the primary fails based on health checks.
Example:
I configured an HA failover for both power supply and interface monitoring, ensuring a
smooth transition in case of hardware failure.
32. How does Palo Alto firewall handle SSL Decryption, and
what are the configuration steps?
SSL Decryption inspects encrypted traffic by intercepting and decrypting SSL sessions.
Configure under Policies > Decryption. Create decryption policies to define which traffic
to decrypt (e.g., specific URLs or applications) and specify the decryption method (SSL
Forward Proxy or SSL Inbound Inspection).
45 MCQ Q&A for Python for Basic Firewall Configuration| [email protected] | +91 9739521088
45 MCQ Q&A for Basic Firewall Configuration | [email protected] | +91 9739521088
Example:
I configured SSL Forward Proxy to decrypt and inspect outbound web traffic to detect
malware in encrypted communications.
33. How do you configure an IPsec VPN in Palo Alto?
To configure an IPsec VPN, go to Network > IPsec Tunnels, and configure parameters
such as Tunnel Interface, IKE gateway, and IPsec crypto profiles. Define security policies
that allow traffic through the VPN tunnel and configure routing to use the tunnel.
Example:
I configured an IPsec VPN tunnel for secure communication between two office locations,
using AES-256 encryption for the connection.
34. What is a Dynamic IP Pool, and how do you configure it in
Palo Alto?
A Dynamic IP Pool is used in NAT configurations to allocate a range of public IPs for
outbound traffic. Under Policies > NAT, choose Dynamic IP and Port, then specify the
source address pool for translation.
Example:
I configured a dynamic IP pool for a web server farm, translating internal IPs to a pool of
public IPs for internet access.
35. How do you configure an IPv6 address on a Palo Alto
firewall interface?
Go to Network > Interfaces, select the interface, and configure the IPv6 address under
IPv6 > Address. Enable IPv6 support on the interface and configure routing protocols for
IPv6 (e.g., OSPFv3 or BGP).
Example:
I configured IPv6 for an internal interface with the address 2001:db8:abcd:0001::1/64 and
enabled OSPFv3 for dynamic routing.
45 MCQ Q&A for Python for Basic Firewall Configuration| [email protected] | +91 9739521088
45 MCQ Q&A for Basic Firewall Configuration | [email protected] | +91 9739521088
36. How do you configure SSL/TLS Service Profile in Palo
Alto?
Under Device > Certificate Management > SSL/TLS Service Profile, configure
SSL/TLS profiles by selecting a certificate, specifying the interface, and setting service
parameters for encrypted services.
Example:
I configured an SSL/TLS Service Profile with a valid certificate for secure access to
management interfaces and services on the firewall.
37. How do you enable logging for denied traffic on Palo Alto
firewalls?
Under Device > Log Settings, configure the logging level for threat and traffic logs.
Ensure the Security Policy includes Log at Session End for denied traffic, and
configure the log forwarding to an external syslog server if required.
Example:
I enabled logging for denied traffic to track attempts to access restricted resources and sent
logs to the centralized SIEM system.
38. How can you prevent DDoS attacks using Palo Alto
firewalls?
Palo Alto firewalls provide DDoS protection through Zone Protection and DoS protection
profiles. Configure these under Network > Zones > Zone Protection Profile and
Objects > DoS Protection Profile. You can apply rate-limiting, SYN flood protection,
and traffic anomaly detection.
Example:
I applied SYN flood protection to the perimeter network zone to prevent DDoS attacks and
configured DoS profiles to rate-limit traffic on critical interfaces.
45 MCQ Q&A for Python for Basic Firewall Configuration| [email protected] | +91 9739521088
45 MCQ Q&A for Basic Firewall Configuration | [email protected] | +91 9739521088
39. How do you configure NAT Policy for a DMZ network in
Palo Alto?
For a DMZ network, configure NAT to allow services like web servers to be accessed from
the internet. Create a static NAT rule to map a public IP to the private server IP in the DMZ,
then define security policies to allow traffic to the DMZ.
Example:
I created a static NAT rule to forward incoming HTTP traffic on 203.0.113.10:80 to an
internal web server 192.168.10.100.
40. How do you configure network interfaces for Virtual Routers
in Palo Alto firewalls?
Under Network > Interfaces, select the interface and assign it to a Virtual Router (VR)
under Virtual Routers. Enable routing protocols (e.g., OSPF, BGP) on those interfaces and
configure the routing policy for network traffic.
Example:
I assigned the Ethernet1/1 interface to a Virtual Router and enabled OSPF to share routing
information with other network devices.
41. What is the purpose of a Traffic Profile in Palo Alto firewall?
Traffic Profiles, such as QoS (Quality of Service), are used to manage bandwidth and
prioritize traffic. Under Objects > QoS, create traffic profiles to define the bandwidth limits
and class of service, then apply them in security policies.
Example:
I configured a QoS profile to prioritize VoIP traffic over general browsing to ensure clear
voice calls during peak network usage.
45 MCQ Q&A for Python for Basic Firewall Configuration| [email protected] | +91 9739521088
45 MCQ Q&A for Basic Firewall Configuration | [email protected] | +91 9739521088
42. How do you configure application-based policy rules in Palo
Alto?
Under Policies > Security, create rules and use the Application tab to specify the
applications allowed or blocked. Application-based policies allow more granular control by
filtering traffic based on the application instead of just port numbers.
Example:
I configured a policy to block all non-business-related applications such as P2P and gaming,
while allowing business-critical apps like Microsoft Teams.
43. How do you configure Time-based security policies in Palo
Alto?
Time-based policies are configured under Policies > Security. You can specify time
ranges for when certain rules should be active, such as blocking access during non-working
hours.
Example:
I configured a time-based policy to block access to social media sites after 6 PM, ensuring
productivity during work hours.
44. What is a Security Profile Group in Palo Alto, and how do
you configure it?
A Security Profile Group allows you to apply multiple security profiles (such as antivirus,
URL filtering, etc.) to a single policy. Under Objects > Security Profile Groups, create
a profile group and attach it to security policies.
Example:
I created a Security Profile Group that combined antivirus, file blocking, and URL filtering
profiles, then applied it to all inbound traffic policies.
45 MCQ Q&A for Python for Basic Firewall Configuration| [email protected] | +91 9739521088
45 MCQ Q&A for Basic Firewall Configuration | [email protected] | +91 9739521088
45. How do you configure Active/Passive HA with Link
Monitoring in Palo Alto?
To configure Active/Passive HA with Link Monitoring, go to Device > High
Availability > General, configure link monitoring for interfaces to track their status, and
set the priority for the failover scenario.
Example:
I configured link monitoring on both primary and secondary firewalls for the internet-facing
interface, ensuring failover occurs if the primary link goes down.
45 MCQ Q&A for Python for Basic Firewall Configuration| [email protected] | +91 9739521088
