Fortigate Vm License Trial Install -

This process applies to major hypervisors: VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, KVM, and VirtualBox.

Key Characteristics

| Feature | Details | |---------|---------| | Duration | 15 days from the moment of license generation (not from VM first boot) | | Feature Set | Full, unrestricted. Includes all NGFW features: SSL inspection, IPS, Application Control, Web Filtering, AntiVirus, VPN (IPsec/SSL), VDOMs (max 10), SD-WAN, and Security Fabric integration. | | Throughput | Unrestricted (limited only by underlying VM resources). | | Support | No FortiCare support. Community forums and self-help only. | | Subscription Services | Fully active (IPS, AV, Web Filtering updates) for the 15 days. | | Redistribution | Not permitted. License is bound to the VM’s unique serial number (derived from VM UUID and hardware). | | Renewal | Not extendable. After 15 days, the VM reverts to a limited "retail" state (only basic NAT/routing; security features stop). |

The Ultimate Guide to FortiGate VM License Trial Install: From Download to Deployment

Part 7: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does the trial license support high availability (HA)? Yes, but you would need two trial licenses. Each FortiGate VM requires its own unique license file. fortigate vm license trial install

Q2: Can I run the trial in a public cloud like AWS or Azure? No – cloud marketplaces have separate "pay-as-you-go" trials (e.g., 30-day free credits). The BYOL trial license is for on-prem hypervisors only.

Q3: How many days is the current trial? As of FortiOS 7.4+, typical trials are 15 days. Always check the license file details: execute license info. This process applies to major hypervisors: VMware ESXi

Q4: Can I reset the trial by reverting a snapshot? No. Licensing checks the system time and first boot timestamp. Reverting a snapshot after expiration will not work.

Q5: Is the trial limited by throughput? Yes, but it’s generous (e.g., 1 Gbps for VM01). Enough for lab environments with 100-200 Mbps traffic. Step 2: Deploy the FortiGate VM Step 3:

Step 2: Deploy the FortiGate VM

Step 3: Initial Access & Basic Setup

  1. Power on the VM. The console will display boot logs.
  2. Wait for the login prompt (username: admin, password: blank).
  3. Run basic setup: 
    config system interface
    edit port1
        set mode static
        set ip 192.168.1.99 255.255.255.0
        set allowaccess https ping ssh
    next
end
  4. Connect your PC to the same subnet (192.168.1.x/24) and browse to https://192.168.1.99.

Note: Accept the self-signed certificate warning.