Importing and exporting device lists

Using the Import Device List and Export Device List option, you can import or export a large number of devices, ADOMs, device VDOMs, and device groups. The device list is a compressed text file in JSON format.

You can also use the Export to CSV option to export a device list to CSV format. However, you cannot use the CSV format to import a device list to FortiManager. You can only import a device list that was exported to JSON format.

Advanced configuration settings such as dynamic interface bindings are not part of import/export device lists. Use the backup/restore function to backup the FortiManager configuration.

Proper logging must be implemented when importing a list. If any add or discovery operations fail, there must be appropriate event logs generated to help you trace what occurred.

To export a device list to compressed JSON format:

1. Enable the GUI options:
   1. Go to System Settings > Settings.
   2. Expand the Display Options on GUI section, and select Show Device List Import/Export buttons.
   3. Click Apply.
2. Go to Device Manager > Device & Groups.
3. In the toolbar, select Table View from the dropdown menu.
4. Select a device group, such as Managed FortiGate.
5. From the More menu, select Export Device List.

   The Choose ADOM dialog box is displayed.

   

6. Click Current ADOM to export the device list from the current ADOM, or click All ADOM to export the device list from all ADOMs.

   A device list in JSON format is exported in a compressed file (device_list.dat).

To export a device list to CSV format:

1. Go to Device Manager > Device & Groups.
2. In the toolbar, select Table View from the dropdown menu.
3. Select a device group, such as Managed Devices.
4. From the More menu, select Export to CSV.

   The Export to CSV dialog box is displayed.

   

5. (Optional) Change the file name.
6. Select whether to export all columns or only customized columns.
7. Select whether to include FortiAP, FortiSwitch, and FortiExtender information.
8. Click Download.

To import a device list:

1. Go to Device Manager > Device & Groups.
2. Select a device group, such as Managed Devices.
3. In the toolbar, select Table View from the dropdown menu.
4. From the More menu, select Import Device List.
5. Click Browse and locate the compressed device list file (device_list.dat) that you exported from FortiManager, or drag and drop the file onto the dialog box.
6. Click OK.