Add Alias element translation values

To use Alias elements to represent other network elements in a policy, define the translation values of the Alias elements for each engine that uses the policy. The same Alias element can have different translation values on different engines.

Add Alias element translation values through the engine properties or in the properties of the Alias element itself.

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Steps

  1. Select Configuration.
  2. Click NGFW Engines.
  3. Right-click an engine element, then select Edit <element type>.
  4. In the navigation pane on the left, browse to Policies > Aliases.
  5. Select the Alias element whose value you want to edit.
  6. Define the value for the Alias:
    • If you want the Alias to match any IP address on this engine, right-click the Value cell for the Alias and select Set to Any. Skip to Step 8.
    • Otherwise, right-click the Value cell and select Edit Value.
  7. Browse in the Resources pane for an element you want to use as the translation value on this engine.
    If the element does not exist, you can create one through the right-click menu for the correct element type.
  8. Select the elements and click Add.
    The elements are added to the Alias Value pane.
  9. Click OK to close the Alias Value Properties dialog box.
  10. Click Save and Refresh.

Engine Editor > Policies > Aliases

Use this branch to view and change alias translation values.

Option Definition
Alias Shows the name of the Alias element.
Value Right-click the Value cell and select one of the following options:
  • Edit Value — Opens the Alias Value Properties dialog box.
  • Set to Any — The Alias element matches any value.
  • Set to None — Disables translation for the Alias element.

Alias Properties dialog box

Use this dialog box to define alias properties. Aliases are like variables: they can be given different IP address values in the policy depending on the engine on which the policy is installed.

Option Definition
Name Specifies the alias name in the SMC. Used, for example, to resolve IP addresses to names in the logs.
Category

(Optional)

Categories allow you to flexibly filter your Management Client view.
Select Opens the Category Selection for New Element dialog box.
Comment

(Optional)

An optional comment for your own reference.
Default Value

(Optional)

The value that is used when the policy is installed on a component that does not have a more specific value for the Alias.

If there is no default value, falling back to the default translation returns an empty value. If the Alias is the only element in the rule cell, the rule is invalid and ignored when the policy is installed (a warning is displayed if this happens).

Edit Default Value Opens the Alias Value Properties dialog box.
Component-Specific Values

(Optional)

The values that the Alias is replaced with when used in the policies of the components listed.

If there is no specific translation value for a component, the default value is used instead.

Cluster The list of components for the selected Alias.
Translation Value Shows the translation value assigned to the component.
Edit Translation Value Opens the Alias Value Properties dialog box for the selected component.

Alias Value Properties dialog box

Use this dialog box to edit the translation value of an Alias element for an NGFW Engine.

Option Definition
Resources Use this pane to create and add elements.
Search Opens a search field for the selected element list.

Clicking X removes the search field.

Up Navigates up one level in the navigation hierarchy. Not available at the top level of the navigation hierarchy.
Tools
  • New — Creates an element of the specified type.
  • Show Deleted Elements — Shows elements that have been moved to the Trash.
Add Adds the selected elements to the content list.
Remove Removes the selected elements from the content list.
Set to None Disables translation for the Alias element.
Set to Any The Alias element matches any value.
Remove All Removes all values from the Alias Value field.