Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Step-by-Step Explanation:Automating the deployment of VM-Series firewalls is a critical capability for scaling security in cloud and virtualized environments. The Palo Alto Networks Systems Engineer Professional - Software Firewall documentation identifies several tools and methods for automating VM-Series deployment, ensuring efficiency and consistency.

Bootstrap the VM-Series firewall (Option A): Bootstrapping is a method to automate the initial configuration, licensing, and content updates of a VM-Series firewall. By preparing a bootstrap package (containing files like init-cfg.txt, license files, and content updates) and storing it in a location accessible to the VM (e.g., a cloud storage bucket or local disk), customers can deploy VM-Series firewalls without manual intervention. The documentation highlights bootstrapping as a key automation technique for rapid, repeatable deployments in public and private clouds.

Palo Alto Networks GitHub repository (Option B): Palo Alto Networks provides scripts, templates, and automation tools on its GitHub repository to assist with VM-Series firewall deployment. These resources include scripts for infrastructure-as-code (IaC) tools like Terraform, Ansible, and Python, enabling customers to automate deployment, configuration, and scaling of VM-Series firewalls in environments like AWS, Azure, and GCP. The documentation references these resources as valuable for automation and integration with DevOps workflows.

Panorama Software Firewall License plugin (Option D): Panorama, Palo Alto Networks’ centralized management platform, supports a Software Firewall License plugin that automates licensing and deployment for VM-Series firewalls. This plugin integrates with Panorama to manage licenses dynamically, pushing configurations and licenses to VM-Series instances during deployment, reducing manual effort and ensuring scalability. The documentation describes this as a key automation feature for managing software firewalls in large-scale deployments.

Options C (Panorama Software Library image) and E (Shared Disk Software Library folder) are incorrect. While Panorama can store images and configurations, there is no specific “Panorama Software Library image” mentioned for VM-Series deployment automation in the documentation. Similarly, a “Shared Disk Software Library folder” is not a recognized tool or method for VM-Series automation; bootstrapping or GitHub scripts are more relevant and documented approaches.

References: Palo Alto Networks Systems Engineer Professional - Software Firewall, Section: VM-Series Deployment Automation, Bootstrapping Guide, GitHub Repository Documentation, Panorama Management and Licensing Documentation.