Differences Between Device Group and Template in Panorama in Paloalto
- Mar 8
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 27
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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