NGFW 6.9 Online Help

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Maintenance and upgrades
Maintenance includes procedures that you do not typically need to do frequently.
Managing log data
Log management consists of configuring when log data produced, which log entries are stored, and when stored log entries are deleted or archived. To prevent the Log Server storage from filling up, log data management tools help you manage log entries automatically.
Examples of log management
These examples illustrate some common uses for log management and general steps on how each scenario is configured.

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.
Maintenance and upgrades
Maintenance includes procedures that you do not typically need to do frequently.
- Configuration of automatic updates and upgrades
  You can configure the Management Server to automatically download and install dynamic update packages, remote upgrades for engines, and licenses.
- Backing up and restoring system configurations
  Backups contain the necessary configuration information to restore the SMC to the state it was in when the backup was taken.
- Managing log data
  Log management consists of configuring when log data produced, which log entries are stored, and when stored log entries are deleted or archived. To prevent the Log Server storage from filling up, log data management tools help you manage log entries automatically.
  - Log data management and how it works
    Log data management keeps the number of logs at a reasonable level and prevents log files from filling the storage space.
  - Reducing unnecessary log generation
    The primary way to manage logging is to set up the system to create all necessary logs and alerts and a minimum of unnecessary log entries.
  - Archive log data
    You can set up an Archive Log Task to copy log data from the active storage on the Log or Management Server to some other location.
  - Delete log data
    To permanently delete generated log data, you can delete it from the active storage or delete it as it arrives to the Log Server using pruning filters.
  - Export log data
    Exporting log data allows you to copy log data to a location outside of the Security Management Center (SMC) without archiving the log data.
  - View history of completed Log Tasks
    You can view all previously executed tasks related to logs from a history file.
  - Overwrite old log or audit entries when log storage is full
    By default, Log Servers stop receiving log entries when the log storage is full, and Management Servers shut down when the audit storage is full. You can optionally overwrite old log entries when the log storage is full.
  - Examples of log management
    These examples illustrate some common uses for log management and general steps on how each scenario is configured.
    - Example: archiving old log data
      This scenario shows an example of archiving and deleting logs to free up disk space on the Log Server.
    - Example: filtering out irrelevant logs
      This scenario shows an example of using Log Data Pruning to temporarily discard unnecessary logs.
- Managing and scheduling Tasks
  Tasks define parameters of system maintenance operations. You can run maintenance operations manually or automatically according to a schedule you set.
- Managing licenses
  All SMC components and NGFW Engines must be licensed as a proof of purchase. In addition, some additional features can be activated by installing a feature license.
- Upgrading the SMC
  You can upgrade the Management Servers, Management Clients, Log Servers, and Web Portal Servers in your SMC.
- Upgrading NGFW Engines
  You can upgrade Firewalls, IPS engines, Layer 2 Firewalls, and Master NGFW Engines.
- Manual dynamic updates
  Dynamic Update packages include changes and additions to the system Policies, Situations, and other elements of the SMC.
- SMC Appliance maintenance
  The SMC Appliance has a specific patching process that keeps the SMC software, operating system, and appliance firmware up-to-date.
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting helps you resolve common problems in the Forcepoint NGFW and SMC.
Appendices

Examples of log management

These examples illustrate some common uses for log management and general steps on how each scenario is configured.

Example: archiving old log data
This scenario shows an example of archiving and deleting logs to free up disk space on the Log Server.
Example: filtering out irrelevant logs
This scenario shows an example of using Log Data Pruning to temporarily discard unnecessary logs.

© 2020 Forcepoint
Published 8 December 2020