Fortinet fortigate-500 User Guide

Internal

RJ-45

10/100Base-T Ethernet

Connection to the internal network.

External

RJ-45

10/100Base-T Ethernet

Connection to the Internet.

DMZ

RJ-45

10/100Base-T Ethernet

Optional connection to a DMZ network.

HA

RJ-45

10/100Base-T Ethernet

Optional connection to other FortiGate-500 units for 
high availability (HA).

1 to 8

RJ-45

10/100Base-T Ethernet

Optional connections to other networks.

CONSOLE

DB-9

9,600 bps

RS-232 
serial

Optional connection to the management computer. 
Provides access to the command line interface (CLI).

Green

The FortiGate unit is powered on.

Off

The FortiGate unit is powered off.

Green

The FortiGate unit is functioning normally.

Off

The FortiGate unit has a problem or is powered off.

Amber

The correct cable is in use and the connected 
equipment has power.

Flashing 
Amber

Network activity at this interface.

Green

The interface is connected at 100 Mbps.

Off

No link established.

Interface

Internal
External

DMZ

192.168.1.99
192.168.100.99
10.10.10.1

HA

0.0.0.0

IP

admin  

(none)

User Name

Password

MANAGEMENT IP   10.10.10.1

Interface

IP

1 to 8

0.0.0.0

Connect the FortiGate-500 unit to a power outlet and to the internal and external networks. 

In NAT/Route mode, each FortiGate-500 unit is visible to the networks that it is 

connected to. All of its interfaces are on different subnets. Each interface that is 

connected to a network must be configured with an IP address that is valid for that 

network.
You would typically use NAT/Route mode when the FortiGate-500 unit is deployed as a 

gateway between private and public networks. In its default NAT/Route mode 

configuration, the unit functions as a firewall. Firewall policies control communications 

through the FortiGate-500 unit. No traffic can pass through the FortiGate-500 unit until 

you add firewall policies.

In NAT/Route mode, firewall policies can operate in NAT mode or in Route mode. In 

NAT mode, the FortiGate-500 unit performs network address translation before IP 

packets are sent to the destination network. In Route mode, no translation takes place.

In Transparent mode, the FortiGate-500 unit is invisible to the network. All of its 

interfaces are on the same subnet. You only have to configure a management IP 

address so that you can make configuration changes. 
You would typically use the FortiGate-500 unit in Transparent mode on a private 

network behind an existing firewall or behind a router. In its default Transparent mode 

configuration, the unit functions as a firewall. No traffic can pass through the 

FortiGate-500 unit until you add firewall policies. 

You can connect up to 12 network segments to the FortiGate-500 unit to control traffic 

between these network segments.

Before beginning to configure the FortiGate-500, you need to plan how to integrate the unit into 

your network. Your configuration plan is dependent upon the operating mode that you select: 

NAT/Route mode (the default) or Transparent mode.

The FortiGate web-based 

manager Setup Wizard 

guides you through the 

initial configuration steps. 

Use it to configure the administrator password, the 

internal, external and DMZ interface addresses, the 

default gateway address, and the DNS server 

addresses. Optionally, use the Setup Wizard to 

configure the internal server settings for NAT/Route 

mode. 
Requirements: 
•

The Ethernet connection between the FortiGate-500 

and management computer. 

•

Internet Explorer version 6.0 or higher on the 

management computer. 

The CLI is a full-featured 

management tool. 
Use it to configure the 

administrator password, 

the interface addresses, 

the default gateway 

address, and the DNS 

server addresses. To 

configure advanced settings, see the Documentation 

CD-ROM.
Requirements: 
•

The serial connection between the FortiGate-500 

and management computer. 

•

A terminal emulation application (HyperTerminal for 

Windows) on the management computer. 

The control buttons and LCD are located on the front 

panel of the FortiGate-500. Use them to configure the 

internal, external and DMZ interface addresses, and the 

default gateway address. To configure the other 

interface addresses, and the DNS server addresses, 

use the web-based manager or the CLI.
Requirements: 
•

Physical access to the FortiGate-500. 

Choose among three different tools to configure the FortiGate-500. 

Check that the package contents are complete. 

Power Cable

Rack-Mount Brackets

Null-Modem Cable

(RS-232)

Documentation

Ethernet Cables:

Orange - Crossover

Grey - Straight-through

USER MANUAL

FortiGate-500

Copyright 2003 Fortinet Incorporated. All rights reserved.
Trademarks
Products mentioned in this document are trademarks.

1 to 8

Interface

LCD

Control

Buttons

Internal,External,DMZ

HA Interface

Removable

Hard Drive

Power

Connection

RS-232 Serial

Connection

Status

LED

Power
Switch

Power

LED

1. Place the unit on a stable surface or mount it in a 19-inch rack. It requires 

1.5 inches (3.75 cm) clearance on each side to allow for cooling. 

2. Make sure the power switch on the back of the unit is turned off before 

connecting the power and network cables.

3. MAIN MENU appears when the unit is up and running.

Power cable connects to power outlet

Optional null modem cable connects 

to serial port on management computer

Straight-through Ethernet cable connects to Internet (public switch, router or modem)

Straight-through Ethernet cable connects to DMZ network

Straight-through Ethernet cable connects to another FortiGate-500 for HA

 

Straight-through Ethernet cable connects

to LAN or switch on internal network

Crossover Ethernet cable connects to

management computer on internal network

or

Straight-through Ethernet cables connect to other networks

© Copyright 2004 Fortinet Incorporated. All rights reserved. 
Trademarks 
Products mentioned in this document are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Regulatory Compliance
FCC Class A Part 15 CSA/CUS
03 November 2004

Refer to the Documentation CD-ROM for information on how to control traffic, and how to configure HA, antivirus protection, Web content filtering, Spam filtering, intrusion 

prevention (IPS), and virtual private networking (VPN).