Fortinet FortiGate-VM01 License User Manual

1. Introduction

This user manual provides essential information regarding the Fortinet FortiGate-VM01 License, specifically the 3-year 24x7 FortiCare UTM Protection subscription. This license is designed to provide robust, dynamic protection against a wide array of known and unknown security threats, leveraging Fortinet's extensive global threat research and continuous updates.

The FortiGate-VM01 license integrates FortiGuard security subscription services and FortiCare support services to ensure comprehensive security and operational continuity for your virtualized environments.

Image: A visual representation of the Fortinet FortiGate-VM01 Activation Key product box, signifying the license purchase.

2. Key Features and Benefits

The FortiGate-VM01 license with UTM Protection and FortiCare offers a unified approach to network security, delivering several key benefits:

• Comprehensive Threat Protection: Extends defense across the entire digital attack surface, providing industry-leading protection against sophisticated attacks.
• Dynamic Updates: Leverages the Fortinet Global Threat Research Team's work for continuous, automatic updates for antivirus, intrusion prevention, web filtering, and antispam services.
• Proactive Security Research: Utilizes intelligence from multiple security disciplines to protect against both known and emerging threats.
• Broadest Protection: Benefits from feedback from a worldwide installed base and cooperation with major infrastructure vendors.
• Integrated Support: Includes FortiCare Support Services (24x7 in this license) for technical assistance and service continuity.

3. License Activation and Management

This product is a license for the FortiGate-VM01 virtual appliance. Activation typically involves applying the provided license key to your FortiGate-VM01 instance through the Fortinet support portal or the device's management interface.

3.1. New License Activation

For new deployments, follow the instructions provided by Fortinet for registering your FortiGate-VM01 virtual appliance and applying the FC-10-FVM01-963-02-36 license key. This process typically involves:

1. Accessing the Fortinet Support Portal.
2. Registering your FortiGate-VM01 serial number.
3. Applying the purchased license key (FC-10-FVM01-963-02-36).
4. Ensuring the FortiGate-VM01 can connect to FortiGuard services for updates.

3.2. License Renewal

This license can also serve as a renewal for an existing FortiGate-VM01. Fortinet designed support and subscriptions to be continuous. It is crucial to renew your license before the expiration date to avoid any lapse in service. A lapse in the service period means that your FortiGate-VM01 will no longer receive critical security updates and support, potentially exposing your network to threats.

4. Operating Principles: Unified Threat Management (UTM)

The FortiGate-VM01, powered by this license, provides Unified Threat Management (UTM) by integrating multiple security functions into a single platform. This includes:

• Firewall: Controls network traffic based on security rules.
• VPN: Securely connects remote users or networks.
• Intrusion Prevention System (IPS): Detects and prevents network intrusions.
• Antivirus/Anti-malware: Protects against viruses, worms, and other malicious software.
• Web Filtering: Controls access to websites based on content categories.
• Antispam: Filters unwanted email.
• Application Control: Manages and monitors application usage.

These functions work synergistically, updated continuously by FortiGuard, to provide a robust defense against evolving cyber threats.

5. FortiGuard Security Subscriptions

FortiGuard services deliver continuous, automatic updates to your FortiGate-VM01, ensuring it is protected against the latest threats. The UTM Protection bundle includes a comprehensive suite of these services:

Image: An overview graphic illustrating the concept of Fortinet Security Subscriptions and their role in protecting against cyber threats.

5.1. Key FortiGuard Services Included:

• Next-Generation Application Control and IPS: Provides application identification and intrusion prevention, critical for next-generation firewalls. Updates include new IPS signatures and application definitions daily.
• Antivirus: Protects against malware, viruses, and other malicious content. FortiGuard Labs identifies and neutralizes millions of malware variants.
• Web Application Security Service: Protects web applications from various attacks, including SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and more.
• Antispam: Filters unwanted and often malicious email. Updates include new and updated spam rules every single week.
• Vulnerability Scan: Helps identify and manage the latest software vulnerabilities on endpoints and servers.
• Botnet IP and Domain Reputation: Blocks communication attempts to known botnet command & control servers and malicious domains.
• Mobile Security Service: Protects mobile devices against threats by identifying and blocking malicious applications and websites.
• Advanced Threat Protection (FortiSandbox Cloud): Extends threat protection with sandboxing capabilities to detect unknown threats and zero-day exploits.

Image: A detailed graphic outlining various FortiGuard Subscription Options, including Next-Generation Application Control and IPS, Antivirus, Web Filtering, Antispam, Vulnerability Scan, Botnet IP and Domain Reputation, Mobile Security Service, and Advanced Threat Protection.

6. FortiCare Support Services

The FC-10-FVM01-963-02-36 license includes 24x7 FortiCare Support Services, ensuring round-the-clock access to mission-critical support.

Image: Icons representing FortiCare 8x5, 24x7, and 360 support services, highlighting different levels of technical assistance.

6.1. FortiCare 24x7 Service

This service provides:

• Round-the-clock access to technical support 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Advanced Replacement Service: For hardware failures (though this is a software license, it pertains to the underlying FortiGate-VM appliance).
• Firmware Upgrades: Access to firmware updates for your FortiGate-VM01.
• Technical Assistance: Via web portal, online chat, and telephone.

6.2. FortiCare 360 Service (Advanced Services)

While your license includes 24x7, FortiCare 360 is an advanced service that combines 24x7 support with proactive elements:

• Cloud-based Analytics: For proactive identification of potential security and performance issues.
• Personalized Monthly Audit Reports: Providing health checks and recommendations.
• Expert Guidance: To help avoid unplanned service disruptions and detect problems before they affect performance.

6.3. FortiCare Premium RMA Service

This service is designed to minimize downtime and is offered in three options:

• Next-day Delivery: Parts delivered the day following RMA approval by Fortinet support.
• 4-Hour Courier: Parts delivered on-site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week within 4 hours of RMA approval by Fortinet support.
• 4-Hour On-site Engineer: Parts delivered on-site with an engineer, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week within 4 hours of RMA approval by Fortinet support.

Image: A detailed diagram illustrating the various components and levels of FortiCare Support Services, including 8x5, 24x7, 360, and Premium RMA options.

7. Specifications

8. Troubleshooting

As this product is a software license, troubleshooting primarily revolves around license activation, service continuity, and connectivity to FortiGuard/FortiCare services.

8.1. Common Issues and Solutions:

• License Not Active: Ensure the license key has been correctly applied on the Fortinet Support Portal and synchronized with your FortiGate-VM01. Verify internet connectivity from the FortiGate-VM01 to Fortinet's update servers.
• Service Interruption: Check the license expiration date. If the license has expired, renew it immediately. A lapse in service will stop updates and support.
• Updates Not Received: Confirm that your FortiGate-VM01 has proper DNS resolution and network access to FortiGuard servers. Check system logs for any connectivity errors.
• Performance Degradation: While not directly related to the license, ensure your virtual environment meets the minimum resource requirements for the FortiGate-VM01. Consult Fortinet documentation for sizing guidelines.

8.2. Contacting Support:

For persistent issues or complex technical problems, utilize your FortiCare 24x7 support. Have your FortiGate-VM01 serial number and license information ready when contacting support.

You can access FortiCare support via the Fortinet Support Portal, online chat, or telephone, as detailed in the FortiCare section of this manual.

9. Warranty and Support Information

This Fortinet FortiGate-VM01 license includes a 3-year 24x7 FortiCare UTM Protection contract. This contract serves as your comprehensive support and warranty for the duration of the license.

9.1. FortiCare Coverage:

The FortiCare 24x7 service provides:

• Technical Support: Access to Fortinet's technical support team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for the entire 3-year period.
• Firmware Updates: Access to all major and minor firmware releases for your FortiGate-VM01.
• FortiGuard Updates: Continuous updates for all included FortiGuard services (Antivirus, IPS, Web Filtering, etc.) to ensure protection against the latest threats.
• Advanced Replacement: While this is a software license, this benefit applies to the underlying FortiGate-VM appliance in case of a covered hardware failure, ensuring minimal downtime.

9.2. Service Continuity:

It is imperative to ensure the continuity of your FortiCare and FortiGuard services by renewing your license before its expiration. Fortinet designs its support and subscriptions to be continuous, and any lapse in service can compromise your security posture.

For renewal options and further details on your service contract, please refer to the Fortinet Support Portal or contact your Fortinet reseller.