diff --git a/lib/ansible/module_utils/network/panos/panos.py b/lib/ansible/module_utils/network/panos/panos.py
index 47624e04c2c..f50257dcf2a 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/module_utils/network/panos/panos.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/module_utils/network/panos/panos.py
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ HAS_PANDEVICE = True
 try:
     import pandevice
     from pandevice.base import PanDevice
+    from pandevice.firewall import Firewall
     from pandevice.panorama import DeviceGroup, Template, TemplateStack
     from pandevice.policies import PreRulebase, PostRulebase, Rulebase
     from pandevice.device import Vsys
@@ -95,21 +96,32 @@ class ConnectionHelper(object):
                     'pandevice', pandevice.__version__,
                     _vstr(self.min_pandevice_version)))
 
-        d, host_arg = None, None
-        if module.params['provider'] and module.params['provider']['host']:
-            d = module.params['provider']
-            host_arg = 'host'
-        elif module.params['ip_address'] is not None:
-            d = module.params
-            host_arg = 'ip_address'
+        pan_device_auth, serial_number = None, None
+        if module.params['provider'] and module.params['provider']['ip_address']:
+            pan_device_auth = (
+                module.params['provider']['ip_address'],
+                module.params['provider']['username'],
+                module.params['provider']['password'],
+                module.params['provider']['api_key'],
+                module.params['provider']['port'],
+            )
+            serial_number = module.params['provider']['serial_number']
+        elif module.params.get('ip_address', None) is not None:
+            pan_device_auth = (
+                module.params['ip_address'],
+                module.params['username'],
+                module.params['password'],
+                module.params['api_key'],
+                module.params['port'],
+            )
+            msg = 'Classic provider params are deprecated; use "provider" instead'
+            module.deprecate(msg, '2.12')
         else:
-            module.fail_json(msg='New or classic provider params are required.')
+            module.fail_json(msg='Provider params are required.')
 
         # Create the connection object.
         try:
-            self.device = PanDevice.create_from_device(
-                d[host_arg], d['username'], d['password'],
-                d['api_key'], d['port'])
+            self.device = PanDevice.create_from_device(*pan_device_auth)
         except PanDeviceError as e:
             module.fail_json(msg='Failed connection: {0}'.format(e))
 
@@ -120,6 +132,12 @@ class ConnectionHelper(object):
                     'PAN-OS', _vstr(self.device._version_info),
                     _vstr(self.min_panos_version)))
 
+        # Optional: Firewall via Panorama connectivity specified.
+        if hasattr(self.device, 'refresh_devices') and serial_number:
+            fw = Firewall(serial=serial_number)
+            self.device.add(fw)
+            self.device = fw
+
         parent = self.device
         not_found = '{0} "{1}" is not present.'
         pano_mia_param = 'Param "{0}" is required for Panorama but not specified.'
@@ -221,7 +239,7 @@ class ConnectionHelper(object):
             # Spec: vsys or vsys_dg or vsys_importable.
             vsys_name = self.vsys_dg or self.vsys or self.vsys_importable
             if vsys_name is not None:
-                self.device.vsys = module.params[vsys_name]
+                parent.vsys = module.params[vsys_name]
 
             # Spec: rulebase.
             if self.rulebase is not None:
@@ -294,18 +312,19 @@ def get_connection(vsys=None, device_group=None,
             'type': 'dict',
             'required_one_of': [['password', 'api_key'], ],
             'options': {
-                'host': {'required': True},
+                'ip_address': {'required': True},
                 'username': {'default': 'admin'},
                 'password': {'no_log': True},
                 'api_key': {'no_log': True},
                 'port': {'default': 443, 'type': 'int'},
+                'serial_number': {'no_log': True},
             },
         },
     }
 
     if with_classic_provider_spec:
         spec['provider']['required'] = False
-        spec['provider']['options']['host']['required'] = False
+        spec['provider']['options']['ip_address']['required'] = False
         del(spec['provider']['required_one_of'])
         spec.update({
             'ip_address': {'required': False},