Key Differences Between Device Group and Template in Panorama
In Palo Alto Networks Panorama, Device Groups and Templates serve different purposes, but both are essential for centralized firewall management. Here's a clear breakdown of their differences:

Key Differences Between Device Group and Template in Panorama
In Palo Alto Networks Panorama, Device Groups and Templates serve different purposes, but both are essential for centralized firewall management. Here's a clear breakdown of their differences:


🔍 1. Purpose
Feature | Description |
Device Group | Used to manage security policies, NAT rules, and security profiles (e.g., Antivirus, Anti-Spyware, URL Filtering, etc.). |
Template | Used to manage network settings, interface configurations, system settings, and device-specific settings like DNS, NTP, and Logging. |
🔍 2. Scope
Feature | Scope |
Device Group | Focuses on policy-based configurations that affect firewall security and control. |
Template | Focuses on device-level settings like networking, system configurations, and interface management. |
🔍 3. Configuration Examples
Feature | Configuration Examples |
Device Group | 🔹 Security Policies (Inbound/Outbound) 🔹 NAT Policies 🔹 Decryption Policies 🔹 Application/URL Filtering Rules 🔹 Security Profiles |
Template | 🔹 Interface Settings 🔹 Static/Dynamic Routing 🔹 Zone Creation 🔹 DNS/NTP Settings 🔹 Admin User Configuration 🔹 Log Forwarding Configuration |
🔍 4. Firewall Assignment
Feature | Firewall Assignment |
Device Group | Multiple firewalls can be assigned to a single device group if they share similar security policies. |
Template | Multiple firewalls can be assigned to a single template if they share identical network or system settings. |
🔍 5. Hierarchical Structure
Feature | Hierarchical Capability |
Device Group | Supports parent-child hierarchy for shared and specialized policy inheritance. |
Template | Uses Template Stack to combine multiple templates for flexible configuration layers. |
🔍 6. Common Commands (CLI)
Feature | CLI Command Examples |
Device Group | show device-group (To view device group configurations) |
Template | show template (To view template configurations) |
🔍 7. Commit Process
Feature | Commit Process |
Device Group | Select Commit and Push → Select Device Group and push policies to firewalls. |
Template | Select Commit and Push → Select Template to apply network/system changes. |
🚨 Summary Table
Aspect | Device Group | Template |
Focus | Policies & Security Rules | Network & System Settings |
Example Config | Security Rules, NAT, Profiles | Interfaces, DNS, NTP, Admin Settings |
Assignment | Based on security zones | Based on networking topology |
Commit Method | Commit and Push → Device Group | Commit and Push → Template |
🔍 1. Purpose
Feature | Description |
Device Group | Used to manage security policies, NAT rules, and security profiles (e.g., Antivirus, Anti-Spyware, URL Filtering, etc.). |
Template | Used to manage network settings, interface configurations, system settings, and device-specific settings like DNS, NTP, and Logging. |
🔍 2. Scope
Feature | Scope |
Device Group | Focuses on policy-based configurations that affect firewall security and control. |
Template | Focuses on device-level settings like networking, system configurations, and interface management. |
🔍 3. Configuration Examples
Feature | Configuration Examples |
Device Group | 🔹 Security Policies (Inbound/Outbound) 🔹 NAT Policies 🔹 Decryption Policies 🔹 Application/URL Filtering Rules 🔹 Security Profiles |
Template | 🔹 Interface Settings 🔹 Static/Dynamic Routing 🔹 Zone Creation 🔹 DNS/NTP Settings 🔹 Admin User Configuration 🔹 Log Forwarding Configuration |
🔍 4. Firewall Assignment
Feature | Firewall Assignment |
Device Group | Multiple firewalls can be assigned to a single device group if they share similar security policies. |
Template | Multiple firewalls can be assigned to a single template if they share identical network or system settings. |
🔍 5. Hierarchical Structure
Feature | Hierarchical Capability |
Device Group | Supports parent-child hierarchy for shared and specialized policy inheritance. |
Template | Uses Template Stack to combine multiple templates for flexible configuration layers. |
🔍 6. Common Commands (CLI)
Feature | CLI Command Examples |
Device Group | show device-group (To view device group configurations) |
Template | show template (To view template configurations) |
🔍 7. Commit Process
Feature | Commit Process |
Device Group | Select Commit and Push → Select Device Group and push policies to firewalls. |
Template | Select Commit and Push → Select Template to apply network/system changes. |
🚨 Summary Table
Aspect | Device Group | Template |
Focus | Policies & Security Rules | Network & System Settings |
Example Config | Security Rules, NAT, Profiles | Interfaces, DNS, NTP, Admin Settings |
Assignment | Based on security zones | Based on networking topology |
Commit Method | Commit and Push → Device Group | Commit and Push → Template |
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