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Preparing the VMware ESXi environment

Preparing the VMware ESXi environment

Use the following procedures to prepare the VMware ESXi environment before installing FortiPolicy:

  1. Downloading the installation files for ESXi.

  2. Selecting an ESXi host for FortiPolicy installation.

  3. Setting up the management network in vSphere.

Downloading the installation files for ESXi

Download the following FortiPolicy installation file:

FortiPolicy-VM64-v7.2.3-buildxxxx-FORTINET.ova

Selecting an ESXi host for FortiPolicy installation

  1. Log into your infrastructure using vSphere.

    These are the same credentials you will use to perform infrastructure discovery from the FortiPolicy console later on.

  2. Select a host in your data center infrastructure where you will install FortiPolicy.

    Note

    FortiPolicy provides NSX coexistence, where VMware NSX can be installed together with FortiPolicy in the same infrastructure.

  3. Confirm that user privileges, memory, CPU, and core requirements are met on your selected host. Configure the host to meet requirements as necessary. See Requirements.

Setting up the management network in vSphere

The FortiPolicy management network configuration allows FortiPolicy to communicate between its management plane microservices, segments, and microsegments.

The management plane allows communication between FortiPolicy microservices and the management console and also connects to the outside world for software updates and so on.

If a management network already exists, FortiPolicy can use that but consider whether to use the existing network very carefully (do not use the kernel network, for example). You will need to specify which existing management network FortiPolicy should use. If no management network is already configured, you will need to set up a management network to be used by FortiPolicy on the selected host.

For more information on installing FortiPolicy for VMware after preparing the VMware ESXi environment, refer to the Installing FortiPolicy for VMware Guide.

Preparing the VMware ESXi environment

Use the following procedures to prepare the VMware ESXi environment before installing FortiPolicy:

  1. Downloading the installation files for ESXi.

  2. Selecting an ESXi host for FortiPolicy installation.

  3. Setting up the management network in vSphere.

Downloading the installation files for ESXi

Download the following FortiPolicy installation file:

FortiPolicy-VM64-v7.2.3-buildxxxx-FORTINET.ova

Selecting an ESXi host for FortiPolicy installation

  1. Log into your infrastructure using vSphere.

    These are the same credentials you will use to perform infrastructure discovery from the FortiPolicy console later on.

  2. Select a host in your data center infrastructure where you will install FortiPolicy.

    Note

    FortiPolicy provides NSX coexistence, where VMware NSX can be installed together with FortiPolicy in the same infrastructure.

  3. Confirm that user privileges, memory, CPU, and core requirements are met on your selected host. Configure the host to meet requirements as necessary. See Requirements.

Setting up the management network in vSphere

The FortiPolicy management network configuration allows FortiPolicy to communicate between its management plane microservices, segments, and microsegments.

The management plane allows communication between FortiPolicy microservices and the management console and also connects to the outside world for software updates and so on.

If a management network already exists, FortiPolicy can use that but consider whether to use the existing network very carefully (do not use the kernel network, for example). You will need to specify which existing management network FortiPolicy should use. If no management network is already configured, you will need to set up a management network to be used by FortiPolicy on the selected host.

For more information on installing FortiPolicy for VMware after preparing the VMware ESXi environment, refer to the Installing FortiPolicy for VMware Guide.