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Introduction to the Forcepoint Next Generation Firewall solution
Before setting up Forcepoint Next Generation Firewall (Forcepoint NGFW), it is useful to know what the different components do and what engine roles are available.
Introduction to Forcepoint NGFW in the IPS and Layer 2 Firewall roles
The NGFW Engines in the IPS and Layer 2 Firewall roles are part of the Forcepoint NGFW solution. The IPS component provides intrusion detection and prevention, and the Layer 2 Firewalls provide access control and deep inspection of traffic.
Main benefits of IPS engines and Layer 2 Firewalls
IPS engines and Layer 2 Firewalls have four key benefits: accuracy, manageability, scalability, and high availability.

About this Help
Introduction to the Forcepoint Next Generation Firewall solution
Before setting up Forcepoint Next Generation Firewall (Forcepoint NGFW), it is useful to know what the different components do and what engine roles are available.
- The Forcepoint Next Generation Firewall solution
  The Forcepoint NGFW solution consists of one or more Forcepoint NGFW Engines and the Forcepoint NGFW Security Management Center (SMC). The SMC is the management component of the Forcepoint NGFW solution.
- Introduction to Forcepoint NGFW in the Firewall/VPN role
  NGFW Engine in the Firewall/VPN role provides access control and VPN connectivity.
- Introduction to Forcepoint NGFW in the IPS and Layer 2 Firewall roles
  The NGFW Engines in the IPS and Layer 2 Firewall roles are part of the Forcepoint NGFW solution. The IPS component provides intrusion detection and prevention, and the Layer 2 Firewalls provide access control and deep inspection of traffic.
  - What IPS engines and Layer 2 Firewalls do
    An IPS engine or a Layer 2 Firewall picks up and examines network traffic in real time. Layer 2 Firewalls and IPS engines perform event correlation and analysis for traffic they inspect.
  - How IPS engines and Layer 2 Firewalls respond to incidents
    There are various responses that an IPS engine and a Layer 2 Firewall can take when it detects traffic of interest. For example, they can log the connection or actively filter out the traffic.
  - Main benefits of IPS engines and Layer 2 Firewalls
    IPS engines and Layer 2 Firewalls have four key benefits: accuracy, manageability, scalability, and high availability.
    - Accuracy of IPS engines and Layer 2 Firewalls
      To provide the best possible accuracy, the IPS and Layer 2 Firewall engines provide multiple detection methods that complement each other.
    - Manageability of IPS engines and Layer 2 Firewalls
      IPS engines and Layer 2 Firewalls provide network administrators the tools to save time, reduce mistakes, and get a network overview.
    - Scalability and high availability of IPS engines and Layer 2 Firewalls
      Scalability and high availability guarantee that the system can adapt to growing needs, simplify planned maintenance, and protect against hardware failure. IPS engines and Layer 2 Firewalls can be flexibly scaled up to form clusters of up to 16 devices that work as a single virtual entity.
  - IPS Cluster load balancing
    In a load-balanced cluster, traffic is dynamically balanced between the nodes.
  - Disconnect mode for IPS engines and Layer 2 Firewalls and how it works
    IPS engines and Layer 2 Firewalls support disconnect mode, which enables constant monitoring of link connections and minimizes delays caused by link failures.
Deployment
Before you can set up the system and start configuring elements, you must consider how the different SMC components should be positioned and deployed.
Setting up
After deploying the SMC components, you are ready to start using the Management Client and carrying out some of the first configuration tasks.
Monitoring
You can use the SMC to monitor system components and third-party devices. You can also view and filter logs, and create Reports from them.
Controlling engines
You can command and set options for engines through the Management Client or on the engine command line. You can also stop traffic manually.
SMC configuration
Security Management Center (SMC) configuration allows you to customize how the SMC components work.
Engine element configuration
You can create and modify Firewalls, IPS engines, Layer 2 Firewalls, Master NGFW Engines and Virtual NGFW Engines. You can configure the engine properties, activate optional features, and configure advanced engine settings.
Routing
Use the Management Client to configure static or dynamic routing, and use a Multi-Link configuration to manage and distribute inbound and outbound connections.
Traffic inspection policies
Policies are key elements that contain rules for allowing or blocking network traffic and inspecting the content of traffic.
Users and authentication
User accounts are stored in internal databases or external directory servers. You can use Forcepoint NGFW in the Firewall/VPN role or external authentication servers to authenticate users.
Virtual private networks
Forcepoint NGFW supports both policy-based and route-based VPNs (virtual private networks).
Maintenance and upgrades
Maintenance includes procedures that you do not typically need to do frequently.
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting helps you resolve common problems in the Forcepoint NGFW and SMC.
Appendices

Main benefits of IPS engines and Layer 2 Firewalls

IPS engines and Layer 2 Firewalls have four key benefits: accuracy, manageability, scalability, and high availability.

Accuracy of IPS engines and Layer 2 Firewalls
To provide the best possible accuracy, the IPS and Layer 2 Firewall engines provide multiple detection methods that complement each other.
Manageability of IPS engines and Layer 2 Firewalls
IPS engines and Layer 2 Firewalls provide network administrators the tools to save time, reduce mistakes, and get a network overview.
Scalability and high availability of IPS engines and Layer 2 Firewalls
Scalability and high availability guarantee that the system can adapt to growing needs, simplify planned maintenance, and protect against hardware failure. IPS engines and Layer 2 Firewalls can be flexibly scaled up to form clusters of up to 16 devices that work as a single virtual entity.

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