NGFW 6.9 Online Help

Home
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 Forcepoint NGFW in the Firewall/VPN role
The positioning of a firewall depends on the network environment and the function of the firewall.

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.
- Deploying the SMC
  When deploying the SMC, there are some general guidelines for positioning components to guarantee the 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.
  - Supported platforms for Forcepoint NGFW deployment
    You can run NGFW Engines on various platforms.
  - Deploying NGFW Engines on cloud-based virtualization platforms
    You can deploy NGFW Engines on cloud-based virtualization platforms, such as the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud and the Microsoft Azure cloud.
  - Running NGFW Engines as Master NGFW Engines
    There are some hardware requirements and configuration limitations when you use an NGFW Engine as a Master NGFW Engine.
  - Hardware requirements for installing Forcepoint NGFW on third-party hardware
    There are some basic hardware requirements when you run Forcepoint NGFW on third-party hardware.
  - Hardware for Firewall Cluster nodes
    You can run different nodes of the same cluster on different types of hardware.
  - Guidelines for deploying Forcepoint NGFW in the Firewall/VPN role
    There are some general deployment guidelines for Firewalls, Master NGFW Engines, and the SMC.
  - Positioning Firewalls
    The Firewall is a perimeter defense, positioned between networks with different security levels.
  - Post-installation steps for Forcepoint NGFW in the Firewall/VPN role
    There are some steps to follow after you have completed the installation, installed a basic policy, and turned the Firewalls online.
  - Cable connection guidelines for Firewalls
    The cabling of Firewalls depends on the engine type and the installation.
- 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

Deploying Forcepoint NGFW in the Firewall/VPN role

The positioning of a firewall depends on the network environment and the function of the firewall.

Supported platforms for Forcepoint NGFW deployment
You can run NGFW Engines on various platforms.
Deploying NGFW Engines on cloud-based virtualization platforms
You can deploy NGFW Engines on cloud-based virtualization platforms, such as the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud and the Microsoft Azure cloud.
Running NGFW Engines as Master NGFW Engines
There are some hardware requirements and configuration limitations when you use an NGFW Engine as a Master NGFW Engine.
Hardware requirements for installing Forcepoint NGFW on third-party hardware
There are some basic hardware requirements when you run Forcepoint NGFW on third-party hardware.
Hardware for Firewall Cluster nodes
You can run different nodes of the same cluster on different types of hardware.
Guidelines for deploying Forcepoint NGFW in the Firewall/VPN role
There are some general deployment guidelines for Firewalls, Master NGFW Engines, and the SMC.
Positioning Firewalls
The Firewall is a perimeter defense, positioned between networks with different security levels.
Post-installation steps for Forcepoint NGFW in the Firewall/VPN role
There are some steps to follow after you have completed the installation, installed a basic policy, and turned the Firewalls online.
Cable connection guidelines for Firewalls
The cabling of Firewalls depends on the engine type and the installation.

© 2020 Forcepoint
Published 8 December 2020