NGFW 6.8 Online Help

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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.
Deploying the SMC
When deploying the SMC, there are some general guidelines for positioning components to guarantee the security of the system.
Overview of SMC deployment
The positioning of SMC components depends on the size and complexity of the network environment.

About this Help
This online Help was created for Forcepoint Next Generation Firewall (Forcepoint NGFW), version 6.8.0.
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.
- Deploying the SMC
  When deploying the SMC, there are some general guidelines for positioning components to guarantee the security of the system.
  - Overview of SMC deployment
    The positioning of SMC components depends on the size and complexity of the network environment.
    - Supported platforms for SMC deployment
      SMC server components can be installed on third-party hardware or they are available as a dedicated Forcepoint NGFW Security Management Center Appliance (SMC Appliance).
    - General SMC deployment guidelines
      The basic SMC installation consists of a Management Server, a Log Server, and the Management Client.
  - Security considerations for SMC deployment
    The information stored in the Security Management Center (SMC) is highly valuable to anyone conducting or planning malicious activities in your network. Someone who gains administrator rights to the Management Server can change the configurations.
  - Positioning the Management Server
    The Management Server is positioned on a corporate headquarters or data center central site where it can reach all other Security Management Center (SMC) components.
  - Positioning Log Servers
    Log Servers store engine-generated logs and traffic captures. Several Log Servers can be located both on a central site as well as at remote sites.
  - Positioning Management Clients
    The Management Client provides an interface for managing and monitoring the system.
  - Alternative methods for accessing the Management Client
    As an alternative to downloading and installing the Management Client on each workstation that an administrator uses, you can run the Management Client in a web browser, or you can download the Management Client from the Management Server.
  - Example: SMC deployment
    In this example deployment, a company has operations in three different locations. There are some NGFW Engines and administrators who are responsible for managing the local equipment at each site.
  - Post-installation steps for the SMC
    After installing the SMC, you must complete some configuration tasks to guarantee the efficient management and security of the system.
- Deploying Forcepoint NGFW in the Firewall/VPN role
  The positioning of a firewall depends on the network environment and the function of the firewall.
- Deploying Forcepoint NGFW in IPS and Layer 2 Firewall roles
  The positioning of an IPS engine or Layer 2 Firewall depends on the network environment and the function of the IPS engine or Layer 2 Firewall.
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 NGFW 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.
NGFW Engine configuration
You can create and modify Firewalls, IPS engines, Layer 2 Firewalls, Master NGFW Engines and Virtual NGFW Engines. You can configure the NGFW Engine properties, activate optional features, and configure advanced NGFW 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 VPN (virtual private network) tunnels between VPN gateways. For full remote access, Forcepoint NGFW supports both IPsec and SSL VPN tunnels for VPN clients.
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

Overview of SMC deployment

The positioning of SMC components depends on the size and complexity of the network environment.

Supported platforms for SMC deployment
SMC server components can be installed on third-party hardware or they are available as a dedicated Forcepoint NGFW Security Management Center Appliance (SMC Appliance).
General SMC deployment guidelines
The basic SMC installation consists of a Management Server, a Log Server, and the Management Client.

© 2020 Forcepoint
Published 19 May 2020