Hi EMS adminsStarting from 7.4.4, in addition to the EMS binary installation method on Linux VM, Fortinet introduced a new installation mode which is VM image: a customized/hardened Linux with pre-installed EMS software, where we can't access the Linux shell, and only the new EMS shell is available.My questions are:As there are now 2 installation modes, is there one specific mode that is recommended?As this is the first release with the VM image install mode, is it recommended to install it in production? I mean is it enough stable? Will I find all the commands I need for all kinds of configuration and troubleshooting that I may need? E.g.: Can I check OS and DB log files? Can run tcpdump or similar sniffer command for traffic troubleshooting?I guess the standalone installation mode (with binary file) will be discontinued and the VM image install will be the unique available mode, right? So if I have now a standalone installation in my current prod and want to anticipate by moving to VM image mode, is there an available conversion method? Or should I proceed with a migration?

SuperUser

Solved

FortiClient EMS installation modes

Forum|Forum|10 months ago
October 21, 2025
9 replies
1688 views

Hi EMS admins

Starting from 7.4.4, in addition to the EMS binary installation method on Linux VM, Fortinet introduced a new installation mode which is VM image: a customized/hardened Linux with pre-installed EMS software, where we can't access the Linux shell, and only the new EMS shell is available.

My questions are:

As there are now 2 installation modes, is there one specific mode that is recommended?
As this is the first release with the VM image install mode, is it recommended to install it in production? I mean is it enough stable? Will I find all the commands I need for all kinds of configuration and troubleshooting that I may need? E.g.: Can I check OS and DB log files? Can run tcpdump or similar sniffer command for traffic troubleshooting?
I guess the standalone installation mode (with binary file) will be discontinued and the VM image install will be the unique available mode, right? So if I have now a standalone installation in my current prod and want to anticipate by moving to VM image mode, is there an available conversion method? Or should I proceed with a migration?

FortiClient EMS

Best answer by MZBZ

Hello @AEK

1. The new EMS Appliance 7.4.4 is part of the previous EMS VM 7.4.3. Neither one is recommended and selection is merely based on the project requirement and admin experience/knowledge of Linux OS.

2. As I mentioned, this is a continuation of the previous 7.4.3 VM image. EMSCLI tool has been improved to provide more OS-related control in 7.4.5 (which can also be added to 7.4.4 via hotfix id 1200663)

3. EMS DB backup-restore works on any EMS setup as long as the version matches. Starting from 7.4.5 we will support restoring a DB from older EMS 7.4 version as well! You can easily restore a backup from an EMS appliance to a standalone EMS or a complex EMS HA cluster. I cannot comment on the future path for EMS release structure; however, considering requirements for complex HA setups, the binary file will most probably be available in the futrure.

Hopefully these provide answer to your questions.

Anthony_E

Staff

Hello Abdlekrim,

I hope you are doing well.

Thank you for using the Community Forum. I will seek to get you an answer or help. We will reply to this thread with an update as soon as possible.

Thanks,

Best Regards

AEKAuthor

SuperUser

Hi Anthony

Thanks for your message and for handling my request.

AEK

Anthony_E

Staff

Hello Abdelkrim,

Sorry, we are still looking for someone to help you.

We will come back to you ASAP.

Thanks

Best Regards

AEKAuthor

SuperUser

Thanks again Anthony. I appreciate.

AEK

MZBZAnswer

Staff

Hello @AEK

1. The new EMS Appliance 7.4.4 is part of the previous EMS VM 7.4.3. Neither one is recommended and selection is merely based on the project requirement and admin experience/knowledge of Linux OS.

2. As I mentioned, this is a continuation of the previous 7.4.3 VM image. EMSCLI tool has been improved to provide more OS-related control in 7.4.5 (which can also be added to 7.4.4 via hotfix id 1200663)

3. EMS DB backup-restore works on any EMS setup as long as the version matches. Starting from 7.4.5 we will support restoring a DB from older EMS 7.4 version as well! You can easily restore a backup from an EMS appliance to a standalone EMS or a complex EMS HA cluster. I cannot comment on the future path for EMS release structure; however, considering requirements for complex HA setups, the binary file will most probably be available in the futrure.

Hopefully these provide answer to your questions.

AEKAuthor

SuperUser

Hi MB

Thanks for the information. All is much clearer now.

AEK

AEKAuthor

SuperUser

Hello @MZBZ

Now as EMS 7.4.5 is released, I'm searching in the new features and CLI ref but can't find how to access to more OS commands.

My main concern so far is tcpdump and NTP configuration.

Any useful info would be appreciated.

AEK

MZBZ

Staff

Docs will be updated in the upcoming days...

AEKAuthor

SuperUser

I know when marketing team has a target then the product is released even if the docs is are not ready yet ;)

AEK

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