Fortigate with other router

[BlazerT]

Hi,

I have a question. We purchased Fortigate 61F and want to use it in our office LAN infrastructure placed behind router, which is QHora 301W. Is it possible to operate on NAT/Routing mode without any issues with addressing etc.  (I don't want to use it in trransparent mode) ? If you have any documents/threads describing it I'd be grateful for any advice and help.

[Christian_89]

Yes, it is possible to use the FortiGate 61F in NAT/routing mode in your office LAN infrastructure without any issues. The FortiGate firewall can handle NAT (Network Address Translation) and routing functions effectively to provide security and connectivity for your network.

To set up the FortiGate 61F in NAT/routing mode, you would typically connect the WAN interface of the FortiGate to the LAN interface of the QHora 301W router. The WAN interface of the FortiGate would be configured with an IP address provided by the QHora router, which acts as the upstream gateway to the internet.

Here are the general steps to configure the FortiGate 61F in NAT/routing mode:

1. Connect the WAN interface of the FortiGate 61F to the LAN interface of the QHora 301W router.

2. Configure the WAN interface on the FortiGate with the appropriate IP address, subnet mask, default gateway (which would be the LAN IP address of the QHora router), and DNS servers provided by your ISP.

3. Configure the LAN interface on the FortiGate with an IP address and subnet mask that matches your office LAN network. This will be the default gateway for devices on your LAN.

4. Set up NAT policies on the FortiGate to translate internal private IP addresses to the public IP address assigned to the WAN interface of the FortiGate. This allows internal devices to communicate with the internet using the public IP address.

5. Configure routing on the FortiGate to ensure proper communication between your LAN and the internet. This may involve setting up static routes or dynamic routing protocols, depending on your network setup.

6. Implement firewall policies on the FortiGate to control traffic flow between different security zones (e.g., LAN, WAN).

It's important to note that the specific configuration steps may vary depending on your network requirements and the firmware version of the FortiGate. It is recommended to consult the FortiGate documentation and administrator guides for detailed instructions on setting up NAT, routing, and firewall policies.

Fortinet provides comprehensive documentation and resources on their website, including the FortiGate product documentation, deployment guides, and knowledge base articles. You can visit the Fortinet support portal or search for specific topics related to FortiGate 61F configuration to find relevant documents and threads that provide guidance for your specific use case.

Additionally, if you require assistance with the configuration, it is recommended to reach out to Fortinet support or consult with a qualified network administrator who is familiar with FortiGate firewalls to ensure a smooth and secure deployment.