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FortiGate-100A Administration Guide Version 2.80 MR7
FortiGate-100A Administration Guide 01-28007-0068-20041203 131
System virtual domain
FortiGate virtual domains provide multiple logical firewalls and routers in a single
FortiGate unit. Using virtual domains, one FortiGate unit can provide exclusive firewall
and routing services to multiple networks so that traffic from each network is
effectively separated from every other network.
You can develop and manage interfaces, VLAN subinterfaces, zones, firewall policies,
routing, and VPN configuration for each virtual domain separately. For these
configuration settings, each virtual domain is functionally similar to a single FortiGate
unit. This separation simplifies configuration because you do not have to manage as
many routes or firewall policies at one time.
When a packet enters a virtual domain on the FortiGate unit, it is confined to that
virtual domain. In a given domain, you can only create firewall policies for connections
between VLAN subinterfaces or zones in the virtual domain. Packets never cross the
virtual domain border.
The remainder of FortiGate functionality is shared between virtual domains. This
means that there is one IPS configuration, one antivirus configuration, one web filter
configuration, one protection profile configuration, and so on shared by all virtual
domains. As well, virtual domains share firmware versions, antivirus and attack
databases, and user databases. For a complete list of shared configuration settings,
see “Shared configuration settings” on page 133.
Virtual domains are functionally similar in NAT/Route and in Transparent mode. In
both cases interfaces, VLAN subinterfaces, zones, firewall policies, routing, and VPN
configurations are exclusive to each virtual domain and other configuration settings
are shared. A major difference between NAT/Route and Transparent mode is that in
Transparent mode, interfaces, and VLAN interfaces do not have IP addresses and
routing is much simpler.
The FortiGate unit supports 2 virtual domains: root and one addition virtual domain.
This chapter describes:
• Virtual domain properties
• Virtual domains
• Configuring virtual domains