Skip to main content
stroia
Staff
Staff
January 21, 2026

Technical Tip: A FortiManager with a trial license cannot be used as FDS

  • January 21, 2026
  • 0 replies
  • 390 views
Description This article describes the entitlement that FortiManager needs to be used as an FDS Server.
Scope FortiManager.
Solution

The FortiManager can be used as FDS: FortiGuard Distribution Server, as explained here: Configuring devices to use the built-in FDS.

In case the FortiManager is activated with a trial license, the FDS service does not work.

 

Following the Troubleshooting procedure indicated here: Technical Tip: Verifying FortiGuard connectivity on FortiManager.

 

In the output of the command: diagnose fmupdate view-linkd-log fds.

 

The following error message will be displayed: 

 

2026/01/20_16:38:25.466 warn    fds_svrd[6719]: __update_fmg_lic_status: FMG-VMTM<output omitted> FDS service DISABLED as FMG has NO VALID contract

 

And logging to the FortiCloud Account where the FortiManager trial license was registered, going to: Product -> Product List and selecting the Serial Number of the FortiManager, the ENTITLEMENT Section is empty, it is necessary to have the 'Firmware & General Updates' option to use the FortiManager as FDS.

 

How to change the FortiManager license, after a new non-trial license was registered in the FortiCloud account, is explained here: Upgrading to an add-on license.