Getting started
FortiGate-100 Installation and Configuration Guide 31
Connecting to the command line interface (CLI)
As an alternative to the web-based manager, you can install and configure the
FortiGate unit using the CLI. Configuration changes made with the CLI are effective
immediately without the need to reset the firewall or interrupt service.
To connect to the FortiGate CLI, you need:
a computer with an available communications port,
the null modem cable included in your FortiGate package,
terminal emulation software such as HyperTerminal for Windows.
To connect to the CLI:
1Connect the null modem cable to the communications port of your computer and to
the FortiGate Console port.
2Make sure that the FortiGate unit is powered on.
3Start HyperTerminal, enter a name for the connection, and select OK.
4Configure HyperTerminal to connect directly to the communications port on the
computer to which you have connected the null modem cable and select OK.
5Select the following port settings and select OK.
6Press Enter to connect to the FortiGate CLI.
The following prompt appears:
FortiGate-100 login:
7Type admin and press Enter twice.
The following prompt appears:
Type ? for a list of commands.
For information on how to use the CLI, see the FortiGate CLI Reference Guide.
Factory default FortiGate configuration settings
The FortiGate unit is shipped with a factory default configuration. This default
configuration allows you to connect to and use the FortiGate web-based manager to
configure the FortiGate unit onto your network. To configure the FortiGate unit onto
your network you add an administrator password, change network interface IP
addresses, add DNS server IP addresses, and configuring routing if required.
Note: The following procedure describes how to connect to the CLI using Windows
HyperTerminal software. You can use any terminal emulation program.
Bits per second 9600
Data bits 8
Parity None
Stop bits 1
Flow control None