44 Fortinet Inc.
Connecting the FortiGate unit to your networks Transparent mode installation
To connect the FortiGate unit:
1Connect the Internal interface to the hub or switch connected to your internal network.
2Connect the External interface to the Internet.
Connect to the public switch or router provided by your Internet Service Provider.
Figure 6: FortiGate-50A network connections
In Transparent mode, the FortiGate unit does not change the layer 3 topology. This
means that all of its interfaces are on the same IP subnet and that it appears to other
devices as a bridge. Typically, the FortiGate unit would be deployed in Transparent
mode when it is intended to provide antivirus and content scanning behind an existing
firewall solution.
A FortiGate unit in Transparent mode can also perform firewalling. Even though it
takes no part in the layer 3 topology, it can examine layer 3 header information and
make decisions on whether to block or pass traffic.
Internet

Internal

External

FortiGate-50A

Internal Network

Hub, Switch
or Router
Management
Computer
Public Switch
or Router
INTERNAL EXTERNAL
LINK 100 LINK 100
PWR STATUS
A