Is Forticare really necessary?

[yaoran]

What things will I lose if I don't purchase a Forticare license in the case where I don't need support?
I am specifically referring to the Forticare license for FGT, FAZ, FMG, and FAC.

[AEK]

Here is what you will lose.

My production devices just can't live without RMA, firmware updates and TAC support.

https://www.fortinet.com/content/dam/fortinet/assets/solution-guides/sb-forticare-services.pdf

Hope it helps.

[yaoran]

Thanks. This looks very useful.

[reckalta1]

FortiCare and FortiGuard subscriptions are not required to operate the device, but a FortiCare subscription is required to receive firmware updates, which may be something you want.

[yaoran]

Do FortiCare and FortiGuard have separate licenses?

[Yurisk]

With the number of security vulnerabilities/patches, and bug fixes with each new FortiOS release, it is almost impossible to live in the Fortiland w/o at least Forticare subscription to update firmware. At least on Internet-connected devices. In closed networks (MPLS/VRF/etc) it can be more relaxed, but still kinda uncomfortable. 

[yaoran]

Let's say I am using these Fortinet tools as a hobbyist to test things out for fun, not to protect a production network. Would having a Forticare license be necessary? And why?