Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The correct choice highlights the functionality of Zone-Based Firewall (ZBF) configurations in inspecting specific types of traffic, such as TCP, UDP, ICMP, and FTP. In a ZBF configuration, each zone can be defined with policies that specifically dictate how traffic should be handled, either by permitting, denying, or inspecting it.

Inspection means that the firewall analyzes the traffic for certain characteristics, ensuring that it corresponds to an established connection or aligns with the policy rules set forth. This inspection process allows for stateful inspection of traffic, improving security by monitoring data packets and ensuring they are legitimate and part of a allowed traffic flow.

In the context of traffic flowing from zone 'z1' to zone 'z2', the emphasis on inspection signifies that the firewall is actively evaluating the packets for validity rather than merely allowing them to pass undetected. Such inspection ensures that any suspicious activity can be identified and acted upon, enhancing the integrity of the network security posture.

The focus on inspection rather than simple passage of packets highlights an important distinction within ZBF analytics, which is critical for safeguarding data flows, particularly in an IPv6 environment where certain considerations differ from IPv4.