NGFW 6.9 Online Help

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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.
VPNs in Forcepoint NGFW
A VPN extends a secured private network over public networks by encrypting connections so that they can be transported over insecure links without compromising confidential data.
Types of VPNs in Forcepoint NGFW
Forcepoint NGFW provides two types of VPNs. The main difference between the two is how traffic is selected to use the VPN.
Policy-based VPNs in Forcepoint NGFW
In policy-based VPNs, the Access rules determine which traffic is sent into the VPN tunnels.

About this Help
This online help was created for Forcepoint Next Generation Firewall (Forcepoint NGFW), version 6.9.0.
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.
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.
- VPNs in Forcepoint NGFW
  A VPN extends a secured private network over public networks by encrypting connections so that they can be transported over insecure links without compromising confidential data.
  - Types of VPNs in Forcepoint NGFW
    Forcepoint NGFW provides two types of VPNs. The main difference between the two is how traffic is selected to use the VPN.
    - Limitations of VPNs in Forcepoint NGFW
      These limitations apply to VPNs in Forcepoint NGFW.
    - Policy-based VPNs in Forcepoint NGFW
      In policy-based VPNs, the Access rules determine which traffic is sent into the VPN tunnels.
      - Site-to-site and mobile VPNs in Forcepoint NGFW
        You can create VPNs between VPN gateway devices or between a VPN client and a VPN gateway device.
      - Types of encryption for tunnels in policy-based VPNs
        Tunnels in policy-based VPNs can use IPsec or SSL VPN encryption.
    - How route-based VPNs work
      In route-based VPNs, any traffic that is routed to a tunnel interface and allowed by Access rules is automatically sent through the tunnel to the peer endpoint.
  - Pre-shared key (PSK) authentication in VPNs
    A pre-shared key is a string of characters that is used as an authentication key. You can use pre-shared keys for site-to-site VPN authentication and with third-party VPN clients.
  - Certificate-based authentication in VPNs
    In all site-to-site VPNs and in mobile VPNs with third-party VPN clients, you can use certificates for authentication.
  - Configuring VPNs with external gateway devices
    An External VPN Gateway is any VPN gateway that is not controlled by the same Management Server (and the same administrative Domain) on which you are configuring the gateway element.
  - Logs related to VPNs
    VPN negotiations and VPN traffic are logged as informational messages and can be viewed in the Logs view like any other logs.
  - Clustering and VPNs
    A Forcepoint NGFW cluster can be used as a gateway in policy-based and route-based VPNs. There are no additional configuration steps compared to a Single Firewall.
  - VPNs and Multi-Link for SD-WAN
    Using Multi-Link enhances the reliability of the VPN communications by ensuring the availability of network connections.
  - VPN Broker
    The VPN Broker creates highly-scalable, full-mesh VPN environments. VPN tunnels are automatically created between NGFW Engines when they communicate with each other. The VPN tunnels are automatically removed when they are no longer needed.
- Configuring VPNs
  VPNs allow creating secure, private connections through networks that are not otherwise secure.
- Example VPN configurations
  The following example configurations outline common VPN use cases.
- Managing VPN certificates
  A digital certificate is a proof of identity. Forcepoint NGFW in the Firewall/VPN role supports using certificates for authenticating gateways and the Forcepoint VPN Client.
- Reconfiguring existing VPNs
  You can reconfigure and tune existing VPNs.
- VPN client settings
  Forcepoint VPN Client does not have controls for many settings that are needed for establishing a VPN. These settings are defined in the SMC. Forcepoint VPN Client downloads the settings from the gateways it connects to. VPN clients are only supported in policy-based VPNs.
- Configuring the SSL VPN Portal
  The SSL VPN Portal uses secure sockets layer (SSL) encryption to allow authenticated users to establish secure connections to internal HTTP and HTTPS services through a standard web browser or through a client application that allows direct network access.
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

Policy-based VPNs in Forcepoint NGFW

In policy-based VPNs, the Access rules determine which traffic is sent into the VPN tunnels.

Site-to-site and mobile VPNs in Forcepoint NGFW
You can create VPNs between VPN gateway devices or between a VPN client and a VPN gateway device.
Types of encryption for tunnels in policy-based VPNs
Tunnels in policy-based VPNs can use IPsec or SSL VPN encryption.

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Published 8 December 2020