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 and scheduling Tasks
Tasks define parameters of system maintenance operations. You can run maintenance operations manually or automatically according to a schedule you set.
Creating Task Definitions
You can create new Tasks to help you maintain your system. All Tasks are Domain-specific.

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.
- 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.
  - Getting started with Tasks
    You can use Task elements for manual or automatic maintenance operations in the SMC.
  - Task configuration overview
    Before you can run a Task, you must define the parameters for the Task element. If you want the task to be run automatically, you can also set up the Task execution schedule.
  - Task types
    There are several types of predefined system Task Definitions. In addition, you can create custom Task Definitions.
  - Creating Task Definitions
    You can create new Tasks to help you maintain your system. All Tasks are Domain-specific.
    - Create Backup Tasks
      Create a Task for backing up servers.
    - Create Refresh Policy Tasks
      Create a Task for refreshing a policy on selected engines or Domains.
    - Create Validate Policy Tasks
      Create a Task for validating a policy on selected engines.
    - Create Refresh Policy on Master Engines and Virtual Security Engines Tasks
      The Refresh Policy on Master Engines and Virtual Security Engines Task is used for refreshing the currently installed policy on the selected Master NGFW Engines and all Virtual NGFW Engines that are associated with the Master NGFW Engines.
    - Create Upload Policy Tasks
      Create a Task for uploading a policy on selected engines.
    - Create Remote Upgrade Tasks
      Create a Task for remotely upgrading the software on selected engines.
    - Create sgInfo Tasks
      Create a sgInfo Task to collect information about your system for Forcepoint support.
  - Schedule Tasks
    After creating Task Definition elements, you can schedule tasks to run at a convenient time.
  - Start Tasks manually
    To run a Task immediately, start it from the Task Definitions list.
  - Pause the scheduled execution of Tasks
    If you want to temporarily stop a Scheduled Task from running at the scheduled time, you can suspend the Scheduled Task.
  - Remove Tasks from schedules
    You can remove Tasks from the schedule by moving the schedule information (Task Schedule) from the Task Definition to the Trash.
  - Stop running Tasks
    Abort a Task that is no longer needed.
- 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

Creating Task Definitions

You can create new Tasks to help you maintain your system. All Tasks are Domain-specific.

Create Backup Tasks
Create a Task for backing up servers.
Create Refresh Policy Tasks
Create a Task for refreshing a policy on selected engines or Domains.
Create Validate Policy Tasks
Create a Task for validating a policy on selected engines.
Create Refresh Policy on Master Engines and Virtual Security Engines Tasks
The Refresh Policy on Master Engines and Virtual Security Engines Task is used for refreshing the currently installed policy on the selected Master NGFW Engines and all Virtual NGFW Engines that are associated with the Master NGFW Engines.
Create Upload Policy Tasks
Create a Task for uploading a policy on selected engines.
Create Remote Upgrade Tasks
Create a Task for remotely upgrading the software on selected engines.
Create sgInfo Tasks
Create a sgInfo Task to collect information about your system for Forcepoint support.

Related concepts

Log data management and how it works

Related reference

© 2020 Forcepoint
Published 8 December 2020