| Description | This article offers a guide to help first-time users set up a FortiGate appliance. |
| Scope | All versions of FortiGate. |
| Solution |
Step 1 - Sign up for a Fortinet support account: https://support.fortinet.com
Step 2 - Complete the account setup.
Step 3 - Sign in to the newly created Fortinet support account.
Step 4 - Register the new FortiGate appliance.
Step 5 - Complete FortiGate registration by entering the FortiCloud Key and Fortinet Partner:
Step 6 - Verify and confirm all FortiGate registration details.
Step 7 - Complete the registration process or add more devices.
Step 8 - Select the partner account it is is the case.
Step 9 - Go to asset management and open the product list or just select the products overview.
Step 10 - Purchase a support license via the Fortinet partner and manage Fortinet products.
Step 11 - Verify entitlement for Firmware & General Updates. Also, read the QuickStart guide for the correct appliance type (example appliance QuickStart guide for the 40F-3G4G & 60F Series).
Step 12 - Open the Support link and select Firmware Download.
Step 13 - Go to Downloads and select the product (FortiGate), then select the latest Firmware Image folder:
Step 14 - Navigate to the desired Mature or Feature Release.
Step 15 - Download the Firmware, Release Notes and SNMP MIB files for the desired version and device type.
Step 16 - Set up a TFTP server on the host system and move the downloaded firmware image into the TFTP's root folder. Alternatively, jump to Step 24 if there are no plans to write the latest firmware onto the FortiGate appliance yet.
Relevant articles: - Technical Tip: Formatting and loading FortiGate firmware image using TFTP – tftpd64. - Technical Tip: Loading FortiGate firmware image using TFTP. - Technical Tip: Formatting and loading FortiGate firmware image using TFTP.
MacOS example (no additional software required)
Step 17 - Connect the LAN port of the host to port 1 of the FortiGate appliance with a standard LAN cable and change the IP address of the network interface to 192.168.1.110 (or any other 192.168.1.x, except .1 and .99).
Step 18 - Connect the host to the console port of the FortiGate appliance. Do this directly with USB/USB-C if the host has a COM port. USB cables are not included with the FortiGate appliance and must be obtained separately.
Step 19 - Open a terminal client and start a terminal session (9600 8-N-1), such as TeraTerm for Windows or CoolTerm for Mac, Windows or Linux.
Step 20 - Power up the FortiGate appliance.
Step 21 - Press any key to display the configuration menu.
Step 22 - Navigate through the configuration menu to set the IP address of the TFTP, the name of the firmware image etc.
Step 23 - Enter T to initiate the firmware installation to the FortiGate appliance.
Step 24 - Open the web browser and connect to the WebUI of the FortiGate appliance through https://192.168.1.99 and log in as admin (no password).
Step 25 - Set a password.
Step 26 - Review the information and select Begin.
Step 27 - Specify a hostname.
Step 28 - Select a Dashboard type.
Step 29 - Watch the What's new video.
Step 30 - Verify the status of the freshly installed FortiGate appliance.
Step 31 - Review the alerts notification and resolve the alerts shown.
Step 32 - Complete the configuration of the appliances' interfaces, routes, security policy etc.
Step 33 - If the firmware wasn't updated yet, it's advised to update it now through the WebUI. Additionally, check out Fortinet's Upgrade Path Tool.
Step 34 - Backup the FortiGate configuration.
Step 35 - Put the FortiGate appliance into production. The FortiGate can now be freely used. |
