Unexpected Config Loss After Importing FortiGate to FortiManager

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
September 25, 2025
4 replies
846 views

Hello Fortimanager admins,

I’ve encountered an unusual issue and would like your feedback. After connecting my FortiManager (v7.4.7) to a preconfigured FortiGate (v7.4.8), the firewall’s configuration was lost. The networking configuration (such as interfaces) remained intact, but all other settings disappeared.

The only action I performed was importing the firewall’s configuration into FortiManager as usual.

Has anyone experienced this behavior or knows why it might happen?

Thanks in advance,

Best answer by asrour

hi @Anonymous_User

Model devices are used for ZTP with brand new Fortigates (or after FGT factory reset) and whatever is configured in the Model device in FortiManager (manually or via provisioing templates) will be pushed from FMG to FGT when the FGT is registered and connected, this will lead to any configuration loss

If you are adding a configured FGT to FMG, you need to either add it using "Discover Device" or configure the central management fabric connector in the FortiGate

Model devices | FortiManager 7.6.4 | Fortinet Document Library

asrour

Staff

Hi @Anonymous_User

How did you add the Fortigate to Fortimanager?

Did you add it as a model device or discover device?

ByteHavenAuthor

Explorer III

Hello Asrour,

it was added as a model device, in a CSV file.

BR,

asrourAnswer

Staff

hi @Anonymous_User

Model devices are used for ZTP with brand new Fortigates (or after FGT factory reset) and whatever is configured in the Model device in FortiManager (manually or via provisioing templates) will be pushed from FMG to FGT when the FGT is registered and connected, this will lead to any configuration loss

If you are adding a configured FGT to FMG, you need to either add it using "Discover Device" or configure the central management fabric connector in the FortiGate

Model devices | FortiManager 7.6.4 | Fortinet Document Library