Introduction, About FortiGate SSL VPN | Fortinet FORTIOS V3.0 MR7


Introduction	About FortiGate SSL VPN

Introduction

This section introduces you to FortiGate™ Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) VPN technology and provides supplementary information about Fortinet™ publications.

The following topics are included in this section:

•About FortiGate SSL VPN

•About this document

•FortiGate documentation

•Related documentation

•Customer service and technical support

About FortiGate SSL VPN

FortiGate SSL VPN technology makes it safe to do business over the Internet. In addition to encrypting and securing information sent from a web browser to a web server, FortiGate SSL VPN can be used to encrypt most Internet-based traffic.

With the FortiGate unit’s built-in SSL VPN capabilities, small home offices, medium-sized businesses, enterprises, and service providers can ensure the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted over the Internet. The FortiGate unit provides enhanced authentication and restricted access to company network resources and services.

The two modes of SSL VPN operation, supported in NAT/Route mode only, are:

•web-only mode, for thin remote clients equipped with a web browser only

•tunnel mode, for remote computers that run a variety of client and server applications

When the FortiGate unit provides services in web-only mode, a secure web connection between the remote client and the FortiGate unit is established using the SSL VPN security in the FortiGate unit and the SSL security in the web browser. After the connection has been established, the FortiGate unit provides access to selected services and network resources through a web portal.

Where users have complete administrative rights over their computers and use a variety of applications, tunnel mode allows remote clients to access the local internal network as if they were connected to the network directly. In tunnel mode, a secure SSL connection is established initially for the FortiGate unit to download SSL VPN client software (an ActiveX plugin) to the web browser. After the user installs the SSL VPN client software, they can initiate a VPN tunnel with the FortiGate unit whenever the SSL connection is open.

When the SSL VPN feature is used, all client traffic is encrypted and sent to the SSL VPN. This includes both traffic intended for the private network and Internet traffic that is normally sent unencrypted. Split tunneling ensures that only the traffic for the private network is sent to the SSL VPN gateway. Internet traffic is sent through the usual unencrypted route. This conserves bandwith and alleviates bottlenecks. The split tunneling feature is not enabled by default.

FortiOS v3.0 MR7 SSL VPN User Guide
01-30007-0348-20080718	7

FORTIOS V3.0 MR7 specifications

Fortinet's FortiOS v3.0 MR7 marks a significant advancement in network security and management, providing organizations with enhanced features, technologies, and characteristics to better protect their IT environments. This version of FortiOS is designed to facilitate comprehensive security and optimized performance, ensuring that organizations can safeguard their networks against evolving threats.

One of the main features in FortiOS v3.0 MR7 is its robust firewall capabilities. The stateful firewall technology enables dynamic packet filtering based on predefined security policies. This strengthens the organization's perimeter defense by allowing or denying traffic based on user-defined rules. Additionally, the integrated Application Control feature extends the firewall's capabilities by identifying and controlling applications regardless of port usage, enabling organizations to enforce security policies on a finer-grained level.

FortiOS v3.0 MR7 also introduces advanced intrusion prevention system (IPS) functionalities. The next-generation IPS utilizes deep packet inspection and real-time threat intelligence to detect and block attacks before they can compromise the network. Coupled with Fortinet’s threat research team, which ensures timely updates of security signatures, this system helps organizations mitigate risks posed by sophisticated cyber threats.

Another key characteristic of FortiOS v3.0 MR7 is its enhanced VPN capabilities. The support for both SSL and IPsec VPN allows secure remote access for employees and offers flexible options for secure communication over the internet. This feature is essential for organizations that embrace remote work, ensuring that sensitive data remains protected regardless of the user's location.

In addition to its powerful security features, FortiOS v3.0 MR7 includes advanced reporting and logging capabilities. Users can generate detailed reports that highlight security events, traffic patterns, and performance metrics. This data not only improves visibility into network security but also assists in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Moreover, the platform's user-friendly interface enhances the overall management experience. Administrators can quickly configure settings, monitor activity, and respond to incidents effectively. With centralized management capabilities, FortiOS v3.0 MR7 allows organizations to manage multiple devices from a single console, simplifying operations and reducing administrative overhead.

In summary, Fortinet's FortiOS v3.0 MR7 integrates a wealth of security features, including a stateful firewall, advanced IPS, VPN support, and comprehensive reporting functions. Together, these technologies ensure that organizations can maintain a strong security posture in an increasingly complex threat landscape.