NGFW Online Help

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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.
Managing elements
Certain tasks are common to most elements. Some of these tasks are not mandatory for defining an element, but are still helpful as you get your SMC up and running.
How Categories help you view only certain elements
Categories allow you to restrict which elements are displayed in the Management Client. When you activate a Category Filter, elements that do not belong to one of the selected Categories are filtered out of your view.
Examples of Categories
The examples illustrate some common uses for Categories and general steps on how each scenario is configured.

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.
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.
- Using the Management Client
  The Management Client provides the user interface for setting up, managing, and monitoring all features in the SMC.
- Network address translation (NAT) and how it works
  Network address translation (NAT) means changing the IP address or port information in packets. Most often, NAT is used to allow internal hosts to communicate via networks where their actual address is not routable and to conceal the internal network structure from outsiders.
- Configuring system communications
  System communications involve traffic between SMC components, traffic between SMC components and external components that are a part of the system configuration, and external access into the system.
- Managing certificates for system communications
  Certificates are proof of identity that SMC components and NGFW Engines use to authenticate themselves in communications.
- Managing elements
  Certain tasks are common to most elements. Some of these tasks are not mandatory for defining an element, but are still helpful as you get your SMC up and running.
  - Introduction to elements
    Apart from a few minor exceptions, all configurations are created in the SMC, where information is stored as reusable elements.
  - Benefits of exporting or importing elements
    The ability to export and import most kinds of elements allows you to reuse or restore them without having to create them again.
  - Restore elements from Snapshots
    You can restore all elements from a Policy Snapshot or select the elements to be restored.
  - Lock elements
    An administrator who is allowed to edit an element can lock the element and add a comment to explain the reason for locking it.
  - Unlock elements
    Unlock an element so that you can edit or delete it.
  - How the Trash works
    Before deleting an element, you move it to the Trash.
  - How Categories help you view only certain elements
    Categories allow you to restrict which elements are displayed in the Management Client. When you activate a Category Filter, elements that do not belong to one of the selected Categories are filtered out of your view.
    - Grouping Category elements with Category Tag elements
      If you have many custom Category elements, you can group the Categories using Category Tag elements. Category Tags can also be used to filter elements in Management Client views.
    - Category configuration overview
      You can create and combine Categories in a custom Category Filter.
    - Create new Category elements
      You can create as many Categories as you need, and you can base the Categories on any criteria.
    - Add Category elements to groups using Category Tag elements
      Add Categories to groups using Category Tags for easier management of categorized elements.
    - Select Categories for elements
      You can select any number of Categories for each element without restrictions.
    - Activate Category Filters
      In most views, you can select a Category Filter to restrict which elements are displayed. You can also filter by more than one Category at a time.
    - Activate the default Category Filters for Domain elements
      When you create a Domain, you can set the default Category Filters that are automatically used when you log on to the Domain.
    - Filter elements by Category Tag
      Use Category Tags to filter categorized elements in different Management Client views.
    - Combine Category elements in custom filters
      You can combine several Category Filters to display elements that are in any of the selected Categories.
    - Examples of Categories
      The examples illustrate some common uses for Categories and general steps on how each scenario is configured.
      - Example: Creating category elements for a firewall and an IPS configuration
        This scenario shows an example of using categories to show only Firewall or IPS engine configurations.
      - Example: Combining category elements
        This scenario shows an example of combining categories that are used at different sites.
  - Select Element dialog box
    Use this dialog box to select the elements that are used in many different parts of the Management Client.
  - Legacy elements and options
    Elements and options related to features that are no longer supported might be visible in the Management Client if you configured them using an earlier Forcepoint NGFW software version, and are included only for backward compatibility.
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

Examples of Categories

The examples illustrate some common uses for Categories and general steps on how each scenario is configured.

Example: Creating category elements for a firewall and an IPS configuration
This scenario shows an example of using categories to show only Firewall or IPS engine configurations.
Example: Combining category elements
This scenario shows an example of combining categories that are used at different sites.

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