Palo Alto Networks (PANW) Certified Cybersecurity Entry-level Technician (PCCET) Practice Exam

Which type of traffic can stay contained in a single physical server?

1. North-south

2. East-west

3. Unknown

4. Trusted traffic

The correct answer is: East-west

The classification of east-west traffic refers to the data flow that occurs within a data center, between devices such as servers and storage systems, as opposed to traffic that enters or exits the network (north-south traffic). When considering which type of traffic can stay contained within a single physical server, east-west traffic is most applicable because it typically involves communications that are internal to a specific environment, such as interactions among applications, databases, and services running on the same physical server or within the local network. Focusing on east-west traffic helps illustrate the dynamics of resource utilization and how applications collaborate directly without needing to utilize external network pathways. This containment is vital for enhancing performance and reducing latency. Furthermore, it can also bolster security measures as it minimizes exposure to threats present in external traffic. In contrast, north-south traffic refers to data that flows in and out of the data center, which inherently involves multiple servers or devices and cannot remain confined to a single physical server. Options like unknown and trusted traffic do not specifically denote a traffic type in relation to physical boundaries and thus are not relevant to the question of containment within a server. By understanding the distinction between these traffic flows, it becomes clear why east-west traffic is essential for operations confined to a single physical server