Technical Tip: How to update the license for FortiGate in Transparent mode without internet (offline)

[asengar]

Description

This article describes how to update the license offline when there is no internet access to the FortiGate.

Scope

FortiOS 7.2.0 and above.

Solution

• When the firewall is operated in the Transparent mode in the network and only used for Intranet traffic as a switch to inspect and forward the traffic, so without internet connectivity the license update or the FortiGuard database update is not possible automatically.
• In FortiOS below 7.2.0, internet access was mandatory for updating the license, or it was done with the help of FortiManager (no manual update).
• From version 7.2.0 and later it is possible to download the offline license for the hardware device by logging into the support portal.
  
  

Steps to Download the Offline License File:

1. Login to the support portal from the registered account for the device license file is needed.
   https://support.fortinet.com/welcome/#/
   
   
2. Once logged into the portal, in the dashboard the assets information will be displayed, select the FortiGate.
   
   
3. Once selecting FortiGate, the list of firewalls in the network will appear along with the serial number product details.
   
   
4. Select the serial number of the device that needs to download the license file.
5. In the license and key section, select Get the license file, the license file will be downloaded in the format .lic with the device serial number FGT******947Off-NetworkLicenseFile.lic.
   
   
6. Once the .lic file is downloaded upload the file in the FortiGate.
   
   
7. In FortiGate go to System -> FortiGuard -> Manual update -> Upload the file downloaded. 
   
   
8. Initially, the services will be showing as pending and once the file is uploaded successfully it will change to licensed and registered for FortiCare support.
   
   To manually upload the license from CLI, give the below command:
   
   

   execute restore manual-license {ftp | tftp} <license file name> <server> [args]

   
   Note: The manual offline license upload is only available for hardware models in 7.2. With FortiOS 7.4, this is also possible for VM licenses.
   
   In case the firmware of the firewall is below 7.2.0 then this is not feasible, so it is necessary to upgrade the device to 7.2.0 and later follow the upgrade path and then follow the same procedure.

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