Technical Tip: How to determine Firmware build number when System Information shows Interim build number

[alif]

Description
When upgrading firmware on a FortiGate (standalone or HA Cluster), it is important to follow the recommended upgrade path. 

The first step is to determine the current firmware build number by looking at System Information -> Firmware Version from GUI or via '# get system status' command from CLI.

Solution
From GUI Dashboard, the firmware version along with the build number is displayed as follows:

To determine the build number from CLI, run the following command:

FGT81E-2 # get sys status
Version: FortiGate-81E v6.2.10,build1250,210824 (interim)        <----- '210824' means released on 24th August, 2021.
Virus-DB: 88.00961(2021-09-08 06:20)
Extended DB: 88.00162(2021-08-06 23:19)
IPS-DB: 6.00741(2015-12-01 02:30)
IPS-ETDB: 0.00000(2001-01-01 00:00)
APP-DB: 6.00741(2015-12-01 02:30)
INDUSTRIAL-DB: 6.00741(2015-12-01 02:30)
Serial-Number: FGT81E
IPS Malicious URL Database: 3.00125(2021-09-07 06:31)
Botnet DB: 4.00704(2021-07-27 19:07)
BIOS version: 05000007
System Part-Number: P18823-02
Log hard disk: Available
Hostname: FGT81E-2
Private Encryption: Disable
Operation Mode: NAT
Current virtual domain: root
Max number of virtual domains: 10
Virtual domains status: 1 in NAT mode, 0 in TP mode
Virtual domain configuration: disable
FIPS-CC mode: disable
Current HA mode: standalone
Branch point: 1250
Release Version Information: interim
System time: Wed Sep  8 16:51:17 2021

Regarding interim builds, please note that an interim release is a firmware version which is used internally for Quality Assurance and testing purposes.

It is not recommended upgrading production devices to interim builds, as they have not gone through the same testing as a General Availability (GA) build.

Related Links.
https://docs.fortinet.com/upgrade-tool
https://support.fortinet.com/