Forcepoint NGFW Admin key terms

Central component that stores the security configuration, distributes policies to engines, and collects logs and alerts. Administrators connect to it with the Management Client to build and deploy policy.

Java-based graphical application used to log in to the Management Server, define elements, edit policies, and monitor the system. It does not itself store configuration; all changes are saved on the server.

The node that inspects and forwards traffic according to policy. It can run as a firewall, IPS, layer-2 firewall, or master engine role, and may be a physical appliance or a virtual instance.

A single physical or virtual device that hosts one or more NGFW engines. Nodes are defined in the Management Client and are the units to which configuration and licenses are applied.

An engine instance created inside a Master NGFW Engine, each with its own policy and interfaces. Multiple virtual engines share the master's hardware and let one appliance serve several separate security domains.

A special engine role that hosts and manages multiple virtual engines on shared hardware. It allocates interfaces and resources to each virtual engine and does not itself enforce a normal traffic policy.

Browser-based setup tool used on a new appliance to set contact addresses, time zone, admin credentials, and the Management Server connection. It must be completed before the node can receive policy.

The act of uploading a compiled configuration from the Management Server to an engine so the engine begins enforcing it. Until a push succeeds, changes made in the client have no effect on traffic.

Ordered rule set that decides whether traffic is allowed, discarded, or inspected further. Each rule matches on source, destination, service, and other criteria, and the first matching rule applies.

A single entry in a policy consisting of matching conditions plus an action such as Allow, Discard, or Continue. Rules are evaluated top to bottom, so placement controls which one takes effect.

A rule whose action is Continue, meaning evaluation passes to the next matching rule instead of stopping. It is used to apply additional inspection or logging to traffic already allowed elsewhere.

A rule that redirects evaluation to a separate sub-policy and then returns to the rule after the jump. It organizes large rule sets into reusable, logically grouped sections.

Rule that rewrites source or destination addresses and ports as packets pass through the engine. Static NAT maps one-to-one, while dynamic NAT hides many hosts behind a pool of addresses.

Any reusable object defined in the Management Client, such as a host, network, service, user, or time range. Rules reference elements instead of raw values, which keeps policy readable and maintainable.

Policy that defines which traffic is sent to deep inspection engines such as IPS, antivirus, or application control. It works alongside the firewall policy rather than replacing it.

Process of examining packet payloads and file content beyond headers, using signature and behavior analysis. It detects intrusions, malware, and evasive applications that simple port-based rules miss.

Pattern or behavioral rule used by the intrusion prevention engine to identify malicious or suspicious traffic. Signatures are updated regularly and can be tuned to reduce false positives.

An alert or block triggered on traffic that is actually benign. Reducing false positives usually involves tuning signatures, excluding trusted hosts, or adjusting inspection exceptions.

Policy assigned to a node or engine role that supplies default rules and settings for engines that do not have their own local policy. It simplifies management of many similar engines.

A network port on an engine configured with an address, zone, and role such as Normal, Inline, or Capture. Interface type determines how traffic entering it is handled by the engine.

Logical grouping of interfaces that represents a trust level or network segment, such as internal or external. Policies and NAT rules often reference zones instead of individual interfaces.

List of routes the engine uses to decide where to send outbound packets. Each entry pairs a destination network with a next-hop gateway and metric, and the most specific match wins.

Feature that selects a route based on criteria such as source address or service rather than destination alone. It supports multi-homing and directing specific traffic out a chosen link.

Configuration that uses more than one external connection, with outbound traffic balanced or failed over between them. It can also maintain connectivity for inbound services across links.

Two engines configured so one actively handles traffic while the other stands by, synchronizing state so it can take over. Failover is triggered by heartbeat loss or a monitored link failure.

Periodic message exchanged between HA nodes over a dedicated link to confirm each peer is alive. Missing heartbeats cause the standby node to assume the active role.

Continuous copying of connection and inspection state from the active node to the standby. It allows existing sessions to survive a failover without being reset.

The switch of traffic handling from a failed active node to its standby peer. Properly synchronized state keeps established connections alive through the transition.

Group of engine nodes cooperating to provide a single logical firewall, often combining HA with load sharing. Cluster members share a virtual identity and coordinate which node handles each flow.

Component that receives, stores, and indexes log and alert data from engines. Analysts query it for traffic records, alerts, and reports, and it can be separate from the Management Server.

A record generated when traffic matches a rule or an alert fires, containing addresses, ports, action, and rule identity. Logs are the primary evidence for auditing and troubleshooting.

Notification generated by the system when a defined condition occurs, such as a critical IPS hit or an engine going offline. Alerts can trigger email or other automated responses.

Management Client view showing live status of engines, traffic volume, and recent alerts. It gives administrators a quick health check before drilling into detailed logs.

Error returned when an engine rejects a pushed configuration, often due to an unreachable server, license problem, or invalid rule. The client reports the cause and the engine keeps its previous policy.

Command-line tools run on an engine to inspect interfaces, routes, connections, and logs when the GUI is insufficient. They are the main resource for isolating connectivity and policy problems.

Recording of raw packets on an interface for analysis of what actually crossed the wire. It distinguishes whether traffic was dropped by policy, routing, or an upstream device.

Entitlement bound to a node that enables features such as IPS, antivirus, or VPN and sets capacity limits. Missing or expired licenses can block policy installation or disable inspection.

Process of exporting the Management Server configuration and engine settings so they can be recovered after failure or migration. Regular backups protect against data loss and speed recovery.

Procedure of moving Management Server and engines to a newer software release, usually server first then engines. It requires checking compatibility, taking backups, and verifying policy after the change.