Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation

When deployingPrisma Access for Remote Networks(connecting branch offices), the licensing and throughput model is based onaggregate bandwidthallocated to specificcompute locations(regions).

Bandwidth Allocation (Option D):Administrators must purchase and allocate a specific amount of bandwidth (e.g., 500 Mbps, 1 Gbps) to a Prisma Access "Compute Location" (e.g., US West, Europe Central). This allocated bandwidth is then shared as a pool among all the branch sites (Remote Networks) that onboard and terminate their IPSec tunnels at that specific location. The system does not allocate bandwidth on a strict per-site basis but rather enforces the limit on the aggregate throughput of the compute node itself.

Policy Enforcement (Option A):Security policies for Prisma Access are enforcedin the cloud(at the Prisma Access Service Processing Node), not pushed down to the branch ION devices for local enforcement. The ION device handles local segmentation (ZBFW) and traffic steering, but the "Remote Network" security stack resides in the cloud.

Path Usage (Option C):Prisma SD-WAN is designed to utilizeActive/Activepaths. When a branch has multiple internet circuits connected to Prisma Access, the CloudBlade and ION automatically build tunnels on all compatible paths and can load-balance traffic across them based on application performance (SLA), rather than defaulting to a strict Active/Standby model for internet traffic.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation

The CLI command debug controller reachability (e.g., debug controller reachability 1) is the specific diagnostic tool designed to verify the entire connectivity chain required for management plane availability.

Unlike a simple ICMP ping (Option A), which only tests Layer 3 connectivity to an IP address, the debug controller reachability command performs a sequential set of tests:

DNS Resolution:It attempts to resolve the specificLocatorservice URL (locator.cgnx.net or region-specific FQDN) to verify DNS functionality.

TCP Connectivity:It tests the ability to establish a TCP connection to the controller on port 443 (HTTPS).

SSL/TLS Handshake: It validates that the device can successfully negotiate the secure tunnel required for authentication.

If this command fails at the DNS step, the issue is likely a missing DNS server in the interface config. If it fails at the TCP step, it implies an upstream firewall is blocking outbound port 443. This targeted output allows the engineer to pinpoint exactly why the device is offline in the portal.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation

TheFlow BrowserandApp Response Timemetrics in Prisma SD-WAN are critical tools for isolating the fault domain—determining whether a problem lies in the "Network" or the "Application."

Network Transfer Time (NTT) / Round Trip Time (RTT):These metrics measure the time it takes for packets to traverse the network (WAN/LAN) and for acknowledgments to return. A low NTT (e.g., <50ms) confirms that the network pipes (SD-WAN overlay, Underlay circuits) are healthy and transporting packets quickly.

Server Response Time (SRT):This metric specifically measures the time between the server receiving a request and the server sending the first byte of the response. It essentially measures the "processing time" of the backend server.

In the scenario described, the network metrics (NTT/RTT) are excellent, effectively ruling out WAN congestion, packet loss, or latency (Option A and C). However, theServer Response Time (SRT)is very high (500ms). This signature is a definitive indicator that the network delivered the request instantly, but theapplication server took a long time to process it. This points the troubleshooting effort toward the server infrastructure (e.g., a slow SQL query, an overloaded web server, or lack of compute resources) rather than the SD-WAN environment.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation

In Prisma SD-WAN (formerly CloudGenix), the establishment ofSecure Fabric(VPN) tunnels is automated but relies heavily on the correct definition of theNetwork Contextfor each interface. If a tunnel fails to form on a newly added s2econdary circuit, it is typically due to a misconfiguration in how the interface is defined in the ION portal.

1. Interface Scope (Statement D):

The Scope setting on an interface determines its function in the network topology.

Global Scope:This defines the interface as aWAN-facingport. The ION device will only attempt to build VPN tunnels (overlay) on interfaces configured with Global scope.

Local Scope:This defines the interface as aLAN-facingport (for users, switches, or APs). If the administrator mistakenly sets the scope to "Local" for the new internet line, the ION treats it as a private LAN segment and willnotinitiate any tunnel negotiation or WAN signaling on that port.

2. Interface Role/Circuit Category (Statement A):

Prisma SD-WAN uses Circuit Categories (often referred to as Interface Roles in general networking terms, or specifically "Circuit Category" in the ION UI) to determine peering logic.

To form a tunnel over a public internet link to a Data Center, the circuit attached to the interface must be categorized as"Internet".

The controller uses this category to match compatible endpoints. It knows that a "Private WAN" (MPLS) link cannot directly tunnel to an "Internet" link without a gateway. If the new circuit is not correctly selected/categorized as "Internet" (e.g., left undefined or set to a different category), the system will not attempt to build the standard IPSec overlay to the Data Center's public IP address.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation

TheRMA replacementprocess in Prisma SD-WAN is designed to be seamless, leveraging the decoupling of logical configuration from physical hardware.

Replace Device Workflow:The administrator should use the "Replace Device" (or RMA) function within the portal. This workflow allows you to select the "Defective" device (old serial) and the "Replacement" device (new serial).

Configuration Transfer:Once executed, the system automatically binds the existingDevice Shell(which contains all interface configs, routing policies, and site associations) to the new hardware's serial number. The new device, once connected to the internet, will "call home," identify itself, and download the exact configuration of the previous unit.

License Transfer:While the configuration moves automatically, the Support License transfer typically requires a specific step in the Customer Support Portal (CSP) or happens automatically if processed as a formal RMA order. Options A and D are incorrect because they involve manual reconfiguration, which is unnecessary and error-prone. Option C is incorrect as the ION platform relies on cloud-based config management, not local USB backups for hardware swaps.

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

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.