Maximum number of entries has been reached. Object set operator error, -4 discard the setting.

Hi @ksmansoor ,

The “Maximum number of entries … error –4” appears because an unlicensed (permanent-trial) FortiGate-VM caps the system-interface table at only 3–4 entries (physical + VLAN). When you try to add another VLAN, the interface table is full, so FortiOS rejects the command. The official sources Fortinet provides to explain why an unlicensed (or “permanent-trial”) FortiGate-VM refuses to add a fourth interface or VLAN with the error “Maximum number of entries has been reached. Object set operator error, -4”.

https://docs.fortinet.com/document/fortigate/7.4.0/administration-guide/441460/permanent-trial-mode-for-fortigate-vm

https://fortinetweb.s3.amazonaws.com/docs.fortinet.com/v2/attachments/50068c11-014c-11ed-bb32-fa163e15d75b/fortios-v7.2.1-release-notes.pdf

Fixes that do one of the following steps:

1. Apply a paid FortiGate-VM license (VM-01, VM-02, etc.) to raise the interface limit.
2. Use the older 15-day evaluation OVA (allows ~10 interfaces) if it’s just a lab.
3. Delete unused interfaces and stay within the trial limit.

Once the interface quota is lifted or managed, VLAN creation will succeed without the -4 error.

BR.

If my answer provided a solution for you, please mark the reply as solved it so that others can get it easily while searching for similar scenarios.

CCIE #68781