Rowell Dionicio

Get Techie With It

Archives for May 2022

Passed Palo Alto Networks Certified Security Administrator (PCNSA)

By Leave a Comment

In the beginning of this year I had successfully passed the PCNSA exam using the Pearson OnVue system.

Pearson OnVue is a way to take the exam from home (online proctoring). It’s not as easy as the in-person testing centers. You need to clear your desk area and prove there is nothing to either side of you that could help you cheat. In the end, I had to undock my laptop because of camera or microphone issues.

Palo Alto Networks PCNSA

My notes were kept in a Notion page as I wrote typed out features and options I sure wouldn’t memorize.

Palo Alto Networks publishes a free Study Guide but it was not enough to rely on alone. It wasn’t as in-depth as I imagined.

To improve my odds of passing I used a PA-820 firewall and attempted to complete each objective through lab work.

I used the Administrative Guide as a reference for detailed configuration items. It requires a little digging but it’s not too bad. I recommend bookmarking the link for your studies or download the PDF.

Another reason for training I used was from Beacon which I think requires partner level access, which I have.

There really is a lot to cover in this exam so any hands on practice you can get to help nail the topics will benefit you.

Some of the topics I recommend really understanding:

  • How security profiles work
  • How different NAT configurations work
  • Understand the flow of traffic and how they are checked against security policies and profiles
  • Understand what needs a license and what that license affects

5 Years Running

By Leave a Comment

It’s been 5 years since Packet6 became an LLC. What started off as a blog later transformed into a side hustle business.

Many organizations getting help from IT providers weren’t happy. They weren’t seeing the outcome they desired.

IT providers did not have the Wi-Fi expertise in-house to solve these Wi-Fi problems quickly and efficiently.

This is why Packet6 focused on enterprise Wi-Fi. It wasn’t easy at first. The first few clients were difficult to get when no sales team or marketing existed.

Instead, I relied on writing. By targeting the issues I knew different organizations faced, I was able to get paying clients from Google search. After speaking to these clients, I learned they’ve been burned by other IT Providers. They felt that no one could fix their Wi-Fi problems.

I knew specializing in Wi-Fi would be beneficial for Packet6. People want a specialist to solve complex issues.

Later, I realized customer service was also lacking in our industry. My goal was to always be of help to clients. Even if it meant helping them for free, when another IT provider would try to make profit from just having a conversation with a client.

The last 5 years have not been walk in the park. Packet6 is still a side hustle but it’s a serious one. I have to juggle my time carefully. And be strategic with my vacation hours with my full-time employer.

But the real value in this side hustle are the opportunities it has opened up for my family. We’ve been able to purchase real estate, bring home additional income, and create new relationships. Sometimes, my family travels with me. After some client work, we have a mini-vacation.

Today, we’re thinking of new strategies to work on the business instead of in the business. How can I free up more of my time, mentor others, and delegate work. We’re working on processes for growth.

The next 5 years will be interesting. And I’m looking forward to it!