What is FortiManager?

FortiManager is an appliance which utilizes machine learning and events to gather relevant network capacity and utilization information for network administrators, including capacity and utilization statistics.

It integrates seamlessly with Forti Analyzer for efficient analysis.

FortiManager also allows users to control multiple ADOMs, configure policy sets, manage devices as well as control ADOMs containing multiple ADOMs simultaneously (device manager lists all objects while the AP manager handles APs).

VPN Manager enables user VPN configuration; Fabric View connects third-party cloud applications; FortiGuard Switch Manager facilitates template creation and deployment at scale and mass; Security Operations Center provides heads up displays which can be enhanced; FortiGuard managers come both as physical machines (HW/VMs); this enables scaling on hardware without live issues becoming an issue.

FortiManager is an effective device and configuration management solution, enabling users to add devices, define system templates, check device statuses, import policies/objects from devices already deployed and create new policies accordingly.

If the manager was deployed after device deployment has begun then existing policies/objects may also be imported as-is into FortiManager while users can create additional ones over time.

Benefits of FortiManager

First and foremost is configuration revisioning tracking from one central point, providing greater understanding of changes made, approvals or declines from users as a whole.

Furthermore, Forti Manager serves as an official Forti-guard distribution server, pulling signature updates directly from Forti-guard devices themselves for greater efficiency.

Forti Manager can be used for scheduling updates, VPNs and mesh star VPNs through dynamic mesh topologies.

It differs from its counterpart in that more detailed logging information can be handled compared with an analyzer, additionally it supports APIs SDK API JSON API and XML API as API types.

Forti Manager is an effective solution for monitoring network traffic and security, featuring three main tabs – reporting, view and event – designed to facilitate this task.

Users can create reports using charts referencing datasets like user usage or website activity while the Forti View provides users with top 10 destinations, sources traffic conversations within their network.

Forti Manager offers users the capability to set notification profiles for reports, specifying frequency and recipient emailing of alerts.

Users may further personalize report layout by including charts, filters or text into its composition.

Forti Manager offers nearly identical configurations in some areas, making studying easier for examination.

All tabs such as device manager, policy and objects, Forti card settings and system settings can be found within Forti Manager.

Forti Manager’s Forti Analyzer feature provides real-time and historic logging, event management, reports and analytics on 14-ette devices’ login data that is pulled together using custom or built-in SQL syntax to produce reports that customers may use to show network performance or security managers can utilize to inform platform threats.

Forti Manager provides users with an accessible tool for managing devices, networks and analyzing data.

Users can utilize it as both an administrator or as an analyzer; both roles provide login, reporting and event management tasks – lower to mid-range models can support up to two gigabits while higher models may allow up to four gigabits depending on license model.

In order to switch modes between Forti Manager and Forti Analyzer users can navigate into System Settings then System Information Widget then Enabling this option rebooting device is required before making this change.

Prerequisites of FortiManager

Here are a few items which will assist in getting acquainted with FortiManager, Fortinet’s centralized management solution:

Basic networking knowledge: In order to use FortiManager effectively and manage FortiGate devices and network infrastructure effectively, one needs an in-depth knowledge of IP addressing, subnetting and routing techniques as well as basic networking principles like IPv4/IPv6 addresses etc.

Knowledge of FortiGate firewalls: Since FortiManager primarily involves administering FortiGate devices, gaining a thorough knowledge of their characteristics, settings, and functions is vitally important.

You should become acquainted with FortiOS (FortiGate operating system).

FortiManager software: Make sure an instance of FortiManager is accessible, whether this means setting it up on-premises or via cloud deployment depending on what works for your company’s requirements.

There are two versions: Standard and Advanced; carefully consider their differences before choosing which best meets your requirements.

Get to Know FortiManager Online Interface: Use FortiManager’s online interface to setup and maintain your network infrastructure, including FortiGate devices. To understand its design and operation fully, explore each tab or section within this online tool.

FortiManager Licensing: Make sure your company possesses all necessary licenses by familiarizing yourself with FortiManager’s licencing requirements and understanding all available features and capacities for FortiManager.

Understand FortiManager Policies: FortiGate device configuration and management can be accomplished using FortiManager policies, making device administration much simpler than before.

Become acquainted with their various policy types to better understand how they apply to devices – web filter, VPN, firewall rules.

FortiManager Reporting: Discover how you can monitor network activity and detect security concerns using FortiManager’s reporting features.

Integration of FortiManager: FortiManager may be integrated with third-party products and other Fortinet solutions such as Forti Analyzer and FortiMail to enhance network administration and security.

Explore how these connections operate so as to maximize network management efficiency and effectiveness.

FortiManager Automation: Simplify network administration duties using FortiManager’s automation features such as policy templates and scheduled activities to reduce errors and save time – learn to utilize these tools efficiently!

Use FortiManager documentation: Product datasheets, release notes and user manuals are included as part of FortiManager documentation and may provide specific answers as well as more context about features or setup.

FortiManager training: If you want to broaden your understanding and abilities with FortiManager, consider signing up for FortiManager training provided by Fortinet or approved training partners.

These sessions could assist in using FortiManager more skilfully to manage network infrastructures.

Join the FortiManager community and collaborate with other users while drawing knowledge from their experiences.

It includes blogs, forums, and resources which may assist with solving specific issues while staying current with FortiManager best practices and new features – for instance the FortiManager Tutorial.

FortiManager Tutorial

FortiGuard Manager Appliance

The FortiGuard Manager Appliance offers users an efficient way to control their network infrastructure and policies with its user-friendly interface, offering features such as device settings, broad policy settings, firmware updates with schedule capability as well as import custom images into each device to ensure proper functionality.

Users may even import custom images onto each device while making sure everything operates optimally.

Policy and objects sections allow users to establish customized policies for network interfaces.

This ensures a standardized approach across different locations – for instance if multiple FortiGuard gates exist security profiles can be assigned per device individually; L D A P servers can even be targeted towards certain FortiGuard gates for enhanced control.

FortiGuard Manager Appliance supports many features, such as policy packages, device settings and security profiles. Users can create standardised approaches using wildcards or per device mapping items so the same policy will apply across locations.

Mastery of AP Manager the AP manager is an effective tool that enables users to assign templates for creating Wi-Fi profiles, upgrade firmware and monitor connected devices from a centralised interface.

Furthermore, its fabric view integrates seamlessly with Cisco ACI while Forte Guard Manager allows pushing Forte Guard updates through whitelisted IPs for greater ease and control of VPN deployments.

Security Analysis Report

Businesses use Security Analysis Reports as an invaluable way of analysing network traffic, threats, and other relevant data.

Fortinet offers various reports such as admin or system of image reports that help companies sell the necessity for these reports.

Fortinet offers unlimited single sign-on limits, giving businesses the power to schedule reports for leadership review or control storage info.

Furthermore, its stackable analyzers enable multiple analyzers to be run in collector mode simultaneously with data being sent directly to a mail server; providing for more efficient management of devices and their capabilities.

Device and Network Management

Forti Manager’s tabs cover system settings, administrative controls, DOM control, device manager, policy and objects, footer guard and analyzer.

The Forti manager includes system settings, administrative controls, DOM control, device manager, policy and objects, footer guard and analyzer sections; device manager controls devices at device-level with regards to global, local policies, objects, security profiles, web filtering updates as well as updates in regards to updates to IPS updates; while footer guard can act as private FortiGuard distribution server serving local copies synchronizing local copies with network copies while downloading firmware according to devices managed.

Modes of Learning FortiManager

Fortinet has developed an advanced network security management system called FortiManager.

To become adept in using it to configure FortiGate devices effectively and manage them effectively, various modalities or approaches to learn it exist; below are typical modes of FortiManager learning:

Online Documentation: Fortinet provides extensive online documentation regarding FortiManager Online Training on website, providing access to release notes, administrator manuals and user guides downloadable here.

FortiManager Training Courses: Fortinet offers online and in-person FortiManager online courses or FortiManager course covering everything from fundamental settings to complex functionality and security best practices – they cover it all!

FortiManager Webinars and demonstrations: Fortinet has developed webinars and demonstrations designed to assist new FortiManager Online Training users in familiarizing themselves with its features and capabilities, from listening to recorded sessions or attending in person. These may either help ease acclimation to FortiManager.

FortiManager Community: At Fortinet, there’s an active user and expert community available to offer assistance when necessary, regarding FortiManager class usage.

Join other users and contribute your thoughts by joining their user forum – you could make some incredible friends this way.

Practical Experience: Configuring FortiManager online Classes in a lab setting is the ideal way to become familiar with it.

FortiGate virtual machines and FortiManager may be utilized, while in production environments you could employ both.

FortiManager Guides and Documentation: Fortinet offers various guides and documentation related to FortiManager to aid users in learning it better, such as release notes, configuration templates, user and administrator manuals as well as release notes.

FortiManager Certification

Fortinet’s FortiManager Network Security Management System offers comprehensive, integrated, and automated cybersecurity solutions, offering centralised administration, reporting, policy enforcement for their FortiGate next-generation firewalls as well as other security appliances.

FortiManager also allows them to keep an audit trail for each policy that’s enforced against their FortiGate next-gen firewalls ensuring continuity for future implementations of policies from Fortinet’s future solutions.

FortiManager certification by Fortinet serves to verify the skills and expertise of professionals involved with designing, deploying, and maintaining FortiManager systems.

There are various levels to this program ranging from FortiManager 1 (FM1) to FortiManager 3 (FM3) that signify increasing levels of knowledge and experience.

FM1 certifications are intended for entry-level professionals just starting their FortiManager journey, offering them the fundamental understanding they require of this solution.

FM3 credentials on the other hand are intended for more experienced FortiManager practitioners with significant expertise in planning, deploying, and supporting complex deployments of FortiManager implementations.

FortiManager certification requires passing one or more Fortinet’s examinations covering architecture, configuration and administration as well as reporting/analytics/integration with other Fortinet systems.

FortiManager certification brings many advantages for both individuals and companies alike, including:

Validating FortiManager abilities and knowledge, increasing employment chances and career advancement prospects, building reputation in cybersecurity industry as well as access to special Fortinet resources and communities are among the benefits derived by testing FortiManager abilities and knowledge.

Organizations benefit greatly from having certified FortiManager personnel on their teams, as this ensures installations and maintenance operations run safely.