Pass the Paloalto Networks Network Security Administrator SD-WAN-Engineer Questions and answers with ExamsMirror

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation

Site Templates(often referred to as Site Configuration Templates) are a critical tool for the Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) of large-scale deployments in Prisma SD-WAN.

1. Device Pre-staging (Statement C):

One of the primary capabilities of Site Templates is the creation of Device Shells. A device shell is a configuration container that exists in the controller before the physical hardware is installed or connected. By using a template, an administrator can pre-provision the entire configuration (interfaces, routing, subnets) for the "Site" and "Element" (Device). When the physical ION device is later connected to the internet and claimed (associated with the shell via its Serial Number), it immediately inherits this pre-staged configuration, enabling a true "plug-and-play" deployment.

2. Mandatory Variables (Statement B):

To successfully instantiate a functional site from a generic template, specific unique identifiers are required in the variable data set (typically a CSV file).

Site Name:Identifies the location in the portal.

ION Software Version:Ensures the device boots to the specific validated code version required for the deployment, preventing inconsistencies.

ION Serial Number / Device Name:Required to bind the logical configuration (Shell) to the physical hardware. Even if the serial is added later during the claim process, thestructureof the template and the deployment workflow mandates these variables to ensure the device can be uniquely identified and managed within the fabric.

Note on Option D:While it is technically possible to re-deploy a template, theBest Practicefor "Day 2" operations (updating or modifying configuration after deployment) is to usePrisma SD-WAN Stacks(Network Stacks, Security Stacks, etc.). Stacks allow for granular, policy-based updates across multiple sites without the destructive or rigid nature of re-applying a full site initialization template. Therefore, D is not the aligned best practice.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation

Prisma SD-WAN (formerly CloudGenix) defines three distinctOperational Modesfor a branch site, which determine how the ION device processes traffic and interacts with the network.

Analytics Mode (Monitor):In this mode, the ION device is typically deployed inline or in a "promiscuous" monitor state to gain visibility into network traffic without actively enforcing path selection policies.1It "learns" applications, bandwidth usage, and network characteristics (auditing) but does not steer traffic or block flows.2This is often used during Proof of Concepts (POVs) or the initial "burn-in" phase of a deployment to generate reports without risking network disruption.

Control Mode:This is the full production state. In Control Mode, the ION device actively enforcesPath Policies,QoS Policies, andSecurity Policies. It builds Secure Fabric VPN tunnels, steers traffic based on application SLAs (e.g., sending voice over MPLS and bulk data over Broadband), and handles failover events.3This is the required mode for a fully functional SD-WAN site.

Disabled Mode:This mode effectively shuts down the site's SD-WAN functionality from the controller's perspective. It is an administrative state used when a site is being decommissioned, provisioned but not yet live, or isolated for troubleshooting. In this state, the device does not participate in the fabric.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation

Prisma SD-WAN (formerly CloudGenix) integrates with Palo Alto NetworksIoT Securityto provide comprehensive visibility into all devices at a branch, including those that are not directly connected to the ION device. While the ION automatically detects and classifies devices connected directly to its interfaces via traffic inspection (DPI), DHCP, and ARP analysis, gaining visibility intooff-branch devices(devices connected to downstream switches or access points) requires additional discovery mechanisms that can query the network infrastructure or ingest its logs.

1. SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol):This is the primary active discovery method for off-branch devices. The Prisma SD-WAN ION device acts as a sensor that actively polls local network switches and wireless controllers using SNMP. By querying theARP tablesandMAC address tables(Bridge MIBs) of these intermediate network devices, the ION can identify endpoints that are connected to the switch ports, even if those endpoints are not currently sending traffic through the ION. This allows the system to map the topology and discover silent or lateral-traffic-only devices.

2. Syslog:In conjunction with SNMP, the IoT Security solution can utilize Syslog messages to discover and profile devices. Network infrastructure devices (like switches and WLAN controllers) can be configured to send Syslog messages to the collection point (which enables the IoT Security service) whenever a device connects or disconnects (e.g., port up/down events, DHCP snooping logs, or 802.1x authentication logs). These logs provide real-time data about device presence and identity (MAC/IP mappings) for devices that are not directly adjacent to the ION, ensuring 100% visibility across the branch network segments. LLDP (A) and CDP (B) are typically Link Layer discovery protocols used for discoveringdirectly connectedneighbors and do not propagate beyond the immediate link, making them unsuitable for discovering devices multiple hops away or behind a switch.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation

The Prisma SD-WAN (CloudGenix) solution is designed with a separation of the control plane (Controller) and the data plane (ION devices).1In the event that an ION device loses connectivity to the Cloud Controller (often referred to as running in "headless mode"), the device continues to forward traffic and maintain existing VPN tunnels using the keys it currently holds.2

However, for security purposes, theVPN session keys(shared secrets) used for the Secure Fabric have a finite validity period. The system is designed such that these keys are rotated regularly.3If the controller is unreachable, the ION device can continue to rotate keys locally and maintain the VPNs for a maximum default period of72 hours(exactly3 days).4

If the connection to the controller is not restored within this 72-hour window, the keys will eventually expire, and the ION will be unable to retrieve new authorized key material from the controller.5Consequently, the VPN tunnels will go down, and the "out of shared secret key" error will be observed in the VPN status logs. This mechanism ensures that a permanently compromised or stolen device cannot maintain network access indefinitely without central authorization.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation

In Prisma SD-WAN,Custom Applicationsare global policy objects managed centrally on the controller.

Immediate Propagation:When an administrator creates or modifies a Custom Application definition (e.g., updating the IP subnet or port for an internal app), the Prisma SD-WAN controller automatically pushes this update toallconnected ION devices in the tenant.

No Manual Push:Unlike some legacy firewall management paradigms (like Panorama "Commit and Push"), the Prisma SD-WAN architecture is "intent-based" and continuously synchronized. A change to a global object like an App Definition is considered a live configuration change and is distributed immediately via the secure control channel.

No Reboot:The ION data plane updates its classification engine dynamically without interrupting traffic or requiring a reboot. This ensures that policy enforcement (steering "Inventory_App" to the correct path) remains accurate in real-time.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation

According to Palo Alto Networks Prisma SD-WAN administrator documentation regarding Path Policy configuration, specific rules apply when utilizingStandard VPNs(IPSec tunnels to non-ION devices, such as Prisma Access or third-party firewalls) as anL3 Failure Path.

When a Path Policy rule is configured, the administrator defines Active Paths, Backup Paths, and L3 Failure Paths. The L3 Failure Path is a "last resort" mechanism used when all Active and Backup paths are unavailable (Layer 3 down).

If Standard VPN is selected as the L3 Failure Path type, the system explicitly requires that the administrator also associates it with a specific Standard Services and DC Group within that same policy rule.

The ION device uses theStandard Services and DC Groupto identify the specific remote endpoint (tunnel destination) where the traffic should be routed. Unlike a "Direct" (Internet) path which can simply route out to the WAN, a Standard VPN represents a logical tunnel. If the policy rule designates "Standard VPN" as the failure path but leaves the "Standard Services and DC Group" field empty or unselected, the ION effectively has a directive to "use a VPN" but lacks the instruction onwhichVPN group to use for this specific application context. Consequently, even if the IPSec tunnel to Prisma Access is physically up and stable, the policy engine cannot resolve the next hop for the "SuperSaaSApp" traffic, resulting in the packets being dropped. To resolve this, the administrator must edit the Path Policy rule to ensure the specific Standard Service/DC Group representing Prisma Access is checked/selected for the L3 Failure Path.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation

Prisma SD-WAN utilizes Link Quality Monitoring (LQM) to maintain a real-time health score for every WAN path.

To ensure the system knows the quality of a path before sending critical user traffic onto it, the ION device uses Active Probing.

Mechanism:The ION sends synthetic probe packets (typically UDP) across the Secure Fabric (VPN tunnels) and Direct Internet paths to its peers. These probes measure Latency, Jitter, andPacket Loss.

Active vs. Passive:While the systemdoesuse Passive Monitoring (observing actual user flows) when traffic is present to reduce overhead, Active Probes are essential for idle links or backup paths. Without active probing, the ION would have no data to make an intelligent steering decision for thefirstpacket of a new video call. This ensures that "Real-Time" policies always have up-to-date metrics to select the best path immediately.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation

This scenario depicts a High Availability (HA) topology utilizing theION 1200-Smodel'sFail-to-Wire (bypass)capabilities to share WAN links between two devices without needing external switches for every WAN connection.

1. WAN Link Availability (Statement A):

The diagram illustrates a "daisy-chain" cabling method supported by the ION 1200-S bypass pairs.

ISP A (Green):Connects directly to the "Standby" (Left) unit first. Since the Standby unit remains powered on, it maintains direct access to ISP A.

LTE/5G (Blue):Connects to the "Active" (Right) unit first. The connection then loops through a bypass pair on the Active unit to the Standby unit. When power is removed from the "Active" unit, thefail-to-wire relayson its Ethernet ports close physically. This creates a passive electrical bridge that connects the LTE modem directly to the Standby unit. The Standby unit (now becoming Active) will detect the link state change and successfully utilize the LTE connection. Therefore, both WAN links remain usable.

2. LAN Failover Mechanism (Statement C):

Prisma SD-WAN ION devices typically use a VRRP-like mechanism for LAN redundancy.

When the "Active" node fails (loses power), the "Standby" node stops receiving keepalives and promotes itself to the Active state.

To ensure downstream switches and clients immediately send traffic to the new Active unit, it must update their ARP tables. It does this by broadcasting aGratuitous ARP (GARP)packet for the Virtual IP (VIP) address of the Switch Virtual Interfaces (SVIs). This action informs the network that the MAC address associated with the Gateway I1P is now reachable via the port connected to the new Active ION.234

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation

In the Prisma SD-WAN Data Center (DC) model, the terminology for BGP peers defines their role in the topology and how the system generates route maps.

Core Peer:This peer type is designated for theLAN-sideconnection (facing the DC Core Switch or internal Routers). Its primary purpose is tolearnthe subnets/prefixes hosted in the data center so the ION can advertise them to the remote branches. The system automatically creates route maps to facilitate this redistribution into the fabric.

Edge Peer:This peer type is designated for theWAN-sideconnection (facing the Edge Router or MPLS PE). Its primary purpose is to provide reachability to the underlay network.

Distinction:Selecting the correct type affects the defaultRoute MapsandPrefix Listsgenerated by the controller. Configuring a Core Peer correctly ensures that the DC's internal subnets are properly learned and propagated to the overlay, whereas an Edge Peer configuration focuses on WAN next-hop reachability.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation

TheION 9000is the flagship high-performance hardware model designed for large Data Centers and Campus Cores.

10GbE Connectivity (C):The defining hardware differentiator for the ION 9000 is its inclusion of multiple10 Gigabit Ethernet (SFP+)interfaces. This allows it to interconnect with Data Center core switches at 10Gbps speeds, supporting the multi-gigabit aggregate throughput required for hub sites aggregating traffic from hundreds of branches.

ION 3000:The ION 3000 is a branch-tier device limited to1 Gigabit Ethernet (copper/SFP)interfaces.

Bypass Pairs (B):Both models (and others like ION 2000/7000) support Bypass Pairs.

LTE/PoE (A/D):These are typically features of smaller branch/edge models (like ION 1200), not the high-end DC concentrators.