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Mastering Palo Alto Networks
Mastering Palo Alto Networks

Mastering Palo Alto Networks: The complete journey to firewall mastery from setup to advanced security , Third Edition

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Mastering Palo Alto Networks

Summary

Now that you’ve completed this chapter, you are able to identify the strengths of using a zone-based firewall versus a route-based one. You understand how applications can be identified even though they may all be using the same protocol and port, and you understand how deep packet inspection is achieved in single-pass parallel processing. Most importantly, you have a firm grasp of which phases a packet goes through to form a session. It’s okay if this information seems a bit overwhelming; we will see more practical applications, and implications, in the next two chapters. We will be taking a closer look at how security and NAT rules behave once you start playing with zones, and how to anticipate expected behavior by simply glancing at the rules.

If you are preparing for the PCNSE exam, this chapter covered parts of the Planning and Core Concepts and Deploy and Configure domains. Make note of Figure 1.2 regarding packet processing, remember that route lookups...

Technical requirements

For this chapter, a basic understanding of network appliances is required as we will be looking at physically connecting to a device, configuring the management environment, and choosing the data plane interface’s deployment mode. Basic knowledge of standing up a virtual appliance in a virtual environment, including connecting it to virtual switches or virtual interfaces and providing it with network access on a hypervisor, is also required.

Gaining access to the user interface

If you are deploying your firewall on a cloud provider like Azure or AWS, take a look at Chapter 15, Cloud-Based Firewall Deployment.

When taking a new device out of the box or setting up a VM on a local hypervisor, such as VMware ESXi, Fusion, NSX, Hyper-V, KVM, and so on, one of the first things that needs to be accomplished is making it possible to gain access to the user interface, be it a web interface or a console connection. We’ll go over the most common ways of gaining this access in this section.

One of the first things you may need to do is to connect a console cable to gain access to the command-line interface (CLI). Older models only come with an RJ45 console port, so for those, you will need a standard DB9-to-RJ45 console cable, optionally patched through a serial-to-USB cable so a modern laptop is able to interface with the port. The pinout for the DB9 should be as follows:

1 - Empty - Data Carrier Detect...

Adding licenses and setting up dynamic updates

Before we can start adding licenses, the device needs to be registered. You will need to note down the device’s serial number or, if you do not have a support portal account, the sales order number to create a new account. The sales order number will typically be sent to you by your distributor or reseller after you’ve placed your order.

Open a new tab or browser and navigate to https://support.paloaltonetworks.com. If you do not have an account yet, you will first need to create a new one so that you can gain access to the portal from where you will be able to manage all your devices, activate your licenses, download software packages and updates, and access support cases. If you already have a Customer Support Portal (CSP) account, you can skip to Registering a new device.

Creating a new account

When creating a new account, you will be asked for an email address and whether you want to register using a serial...

Upgrading the firewall

In this section, you will learn how to upgrade your firewall and what steps need to be taken to ensure a smooth process. We will review important information to keep in mind when preparing your maintenance window and providing a contingency plan. In-depth upgrade procedures are provided in Chapter 9, Upgrading Firewalls and Panorama.

Understanding the partitions

Before we start the upgrade procedure, there’s an important bit of information you need to know. Like most Linux systems, the hard disk has been partitioned into specific segments. These segments serve a specific purpose.

A few important ones are as follows:

  • / is the root partition, which is where the operating system is installed
  • /opt/pancfg is where the configuration files and dynamic update files are kept
  • /opt/panrepo is the repository for downloaded operating system (PAN-OS) images
  • /opt/panlogs is the partition where logdatabase is stored

There...

Understanding the interface types

When you open the Network | Interfaces menu, you will see an assortment of physical interfaces. There are several different interface types that will cause an interface to behave in a specific way. We will first cover the four basic interface types and continue with the more specialist ones after:

  • Virtual Wire (VWire) is a “Layer 1” passthrough set of two interfaces
  • Layer 3 is routed interfaces
  • Layer 2 is “switched” interfaces that rely on VLAN tags rather than routing tables
  • Tap is a “sniffing” interface

Let’s discuss them in more detail.

VWire

Just as the name suggests, VWire is intended to be a “bump in the wire.” VWire always consists of two physical interfaces—no more and no less. There is no low-level interference with VLAN tags and there are no routing options; packets are inspected in flow.

Using a VWire interface can be...

Summary

In this chapter, you learned how to create a support account, register a new device, and add licenses. You are now able to identify all the different support licenses and select the appropriate subscription licenses to address your needs. You can upgrade and update a device so that its firmware is up to date and the latest application and threat signatures are loaded to protect the network. You learned how to protect the management interface so that only legitimate users can connect, and you can assign different accesses and privileges to administrators. You are able to configure all the physical interfaces, like Layer 3 and VWire, and know when each is most appropriate. You can also leverage logical interfaces like tunnel interfaces and loopback interfaces when they are needed.

If you’re preparing for the PCNSE, you should take note that upgrading requires the base image to be downloaded before you can move forward to a maintenance release. The recommended threshold...

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Key benefits

  • Master Palo Alto Networks firewalls with hands-on labs and expert guidance
  • Stay up to date with the latest features, including cloud and security enhancements
  • Learn how to set up and leverage Strata Cloud Manager
  • Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook

Description

Mastering Palo Alto Networks is the ultimate guide for anyone looking to become proficient in configuring and managing Palo Alto firewalls. Written by a seasoned security consultant and author with 25 years of expertise in network security, this book provides a comprehensive approach to mastering Palo Alto Networks’ firewalls. If you’ve struggled with managing firewall policies, setting up VPNs, or integrating cloud security, this book will provide clear solutions. You’ll get to grips with the fundamentals, and go through the entire process step by step—from initial setup to advanced configurations, gaining a solid understanding of both on-premise and cloud-based security solutions. Packed with practical examples and expert tips, chapters show you how to deploy and optimize firewall policies, secure your network, and troubleshoot issues effectively. With a focus on real-world applications, this guide covers essential topics like traffic management, threat prevention, VPN setup, and integration with Prisma Access for cloud security. By the end of this book, you’ll have the confidence and expertise to manage even the most complex network security environments, making this a must-have resource for anyone working with Palo Alto Networks.

Who is this book for?

This book is perfect for network security professionals, IT administrators, and engineers looking to master Palo Alto firewalls. Whether you’re new to network security or aiming to deepen your expertise, this guide will help you overcome configuration challenges and optimize security. Basic networking knowledge is required, but no prior experience with Palo Alto is necessary.

What you will learn

  • Set up and configure Palo Alto firewalls from scratch
  • Manage firewall policies for secure network traffic
  • Implement VPNs and remote access solutions
  • Optimize firewall performance and security settings
  • Use threat prevention and traffic filtering features
  • Troubleshoot common firewall issues effectively
  • Integrate Palo Alto firewalls with cloud services
  • Configure Strata Cloud Manager for network security management
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Publication date : May 30, 2025
Length: 646 pages
Edition : 3rd
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781836644811
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Length: 646 pages
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Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781836644811
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Table of Contents

17 Chapters
Understanding the Core Technologies Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Setting up a New Device Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Building Strong Policies Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Taking Control of Sessions Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Services and Operational Modes Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Identifying Users and Controlling Access Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Managing Firewalls Through Panorama Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Managing Firewalls Through Strata Cloud Manager Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Upgrading Firewalls and Panorama Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Logging and Reporting Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Advanced Protection Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Troubleshooting Common Session Issues Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
A Deep Dive Into Troubleshooting Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Cloud-Based Firewall Deployment Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Other Books You May Enjoy Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Index Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

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