Technical Tip: Discovering the System Information Widget on a FortiGate VM Running FortiOS v8.0
Description
This article explores the System Information widget on a FortiGate VM running FortiOS v8.0. It explains the purpose of each field and demonstrates how to verify its displayed values using both the graphical user interface (GUI) and the FortiGate CLI.
Scope
FortiGate VM, FortiOS v8.0.0, VMware Workstation Pro 17.
Solution
This procedure focuses on the System Information widget of a FortiGate VM running FortiOS v8.0 by combining observations made through the graphical user interface with verification performed using the FortiGate command-line interface (CLI).
This approach establishes a direct relationship between the visual interface and the underlying system information, helping administrators build confidence before performing future administration and configuration tasks.
Explore the Dashboard:
After signing in to the FortiGate GUI, the Dashboard opens automatically and provides an overview of the current system status. It serves as the primary starting point for monitoring the FortiGate VM and locating key system information:
Discover the System Information widget:
The System Information widget provides a summary of the current FortiGate VM's configuration and status. This information identifies the running system and serves as a convenient starting point for verifying key system details.
The following figure uses colored highlights to associate each field in the System Information widget with the corresponding values verified later using the FortiGate CLI:
To access the FortiGate CLI, follow the procedures described in the Fortinet Administration Guide, Connecting to the CLI.
Discover the Hostname:
The Hostname identifies the FortiGate VM. Its value appears in the System Information widget and can be verified in the FortiGate CLI.
The System Information widget and the FortiGate CLI present the same information through different interfaces.
The following commands retrieve the configured Hostname from the FortiGate VM:
Discover the Serial Number:
The Serial Number uniquely identifies the FortiGate VM. Its value appears in the System Information widget and can be verified in the FortiGate CLI.
The following command displays the FortiGate VM Serial Number:
Discover the Firmware:
The Firmware identifies the FortiOS version currently running on the FortiGate VM. Its value appears in the System Information widget and can be verified in the FortiGate CLI.
The following command shows the current FortiOS version running on the FortiGate VM:
Discover the Operation Mode:
The Operation Mode identifies how the FortiGate VM is currently configured to operate. Its value appears in the System Information widget and can be verified in the FortiGate CLI.
The following commands identify the current operating mode configured on the FortiGate VM:
Discover the System Time:
The System Time displays the current system date and time. Its value appears in the System Information widget and can be verified in the FortiGate CLI.
The following commands report the current system date and time:
Discover the Uptime:
The Uptime displays the elapsed time since the FortiGate VM was last started. Its value appears in the System Information widget and can be verified in the FortiGate CLI.
The following command reports the current uptime of the FortiGate VM:
Discover the Public IP:
The Public IP displays the current public IP address used by the network for Internet communication. Its value appears in the System Information widget and can be verified in the FortiGate CLI.
The following commands retrieve the current public IP address used by the network:
The System Information widget on the Dashboard of a FortiGate VM running FortiOS v8.0 was examined through the graphical user interface (GUI) and independently verified using the FortiGate CLI, demonstrating how both interfaces present the same system information from different perspectives.
Understanding how to verify key system information is an important foundation for effective administration, troubleshooting, and future configuration tasks. By becoming familiar with these verification techniques, administrators can confidently validate the operational state of a FortiGate VM before making configuration changes.
This article demonstrated how to identify and verify the key information presented by the System Information widget, providing administrators with a practical foundation for validating the operational state of a FortiGate VM.
