In the firewall world, Fortinet is a major player, known for its robust and efficient solutions. However, any network administrator or security manager working with FortiGate likely has stories about major firmware updates. Since version 6.2, each new branch—6.4, 7.0, 7.2, 7.4, and now 7.6—has shown a recurring pattern: multiple revisions are often required before achieving acceptable stability. This reality presents significant challenges, particularly regarding conserve mode, which can quickly turn a simple update into an operational nightmare.
The Problem with Early Versions
When a major new version is released, it usually promises a wealth of improvements: new features, an enriched interface, security patching, and better integration with other Fortinet tools. However, these versions are often still immature.
In the months following their release, the early revisions are typically plagued by bugs and performance issues. Key features intended to enhance security or efficiency may behave unpredictably, or worse, cause critical failures.
Conserve Mode: A Source of Stress
One of the most frustrating aspects for administrators is managing conserve mode. This protection mode, designed to prevent memory overload and ensure the continuity of critical services, often becomes a problem when the firmware lacks stability.
In early versions, conserve mode can be triggered without apparent cause or in response to loads that should have been handled smoothly. This leads to service interruptions, productivity loss, and a decline in confidence in the solution.
Lessons Learned: Patience as a Strategy
Experience has shown that for FortiGate administrators, the best approach is often to adopt a strategy of patience:
- Avoid early revisions: Wait for at least two or three minor updates after the release of a major version before deploying it in production. This allows Fortinet to fix critical bugs and improve stability.
- Never upgrade to a major revision until it has reached at least five or six revisions: By this stage, most significant issues have been identified and resolved, making the firmware much more reliable for production use.
- Test in an isolated environment: Before any upgrade, it is essential to test the new firmware in a pre-production environment. This allows you to assess the risks specific to your infrastructure.
- Monitor forums and release notes: The Fortinet community, as well as release notes, are invaluable resources for tracking feedback from other users and identifying recurring issues.
Why Fortinet Continues on This Path
Fortinet regularly pushes new major versions to stay competitive and respond to the rapid evolution of cybersecurity threats. However, this comes with intensive development and testing cycles.
In a market where security needs evolve rapidly, the pressure to innovate sometimes results in premature releases, with initial revisions acting almost as “beta tests” for the community.
Recommendations for FortiGate Administrators
To navigate the sometimes turbulent waters of major updates, here are some best practices:
- Plan your updates carefully: Don’t rush to adopt the latest version unless absolutely necessary for security reasons.
- Work closely with Fortinet support: In case of issues, Fortinet support can be invaluable in resolving bugs or identifying workarounds.
- Follow Fortinet’s official recommendations: Fortinet regularly publishes articles detailing the recommended firmware versions for each FortiGate model. These versions, often labeled as “Mature,” are selected based on several criteria:
- Significant field deployment: The recommended build must be installed on over 40,000 FortiGates.
- No unresolved critical vulnerabilities: There should be no high-severity vulnerabilities without mitigating steps or workarounds.
Consulting these recommendations is essential to ensure the stability and security of your infrastructure.
Conclusion: A Challenging but Necessary Path
Major firmware updates for FortiGate are a double-edged sword. They bring crucial features and security improvements, but their early versions can be challenging to adopt. Administrators must balance the need for innovation with the quest for stability.
Ultimately, the key is to approach each update with caution, stay informed, and adopt a gradual evolution strategy. Fortinet, for its part, must continue improving its validation processes to provide a better user experience from the first revisions.