Setting Up The System

Choosing the operation mode

Once the FortiMail unit is mounted and powered on, and you have completed initial configuration, you can configure the operation mode of the FortiMail unit using the CLI or web UI.

FortiMail units can run in one of three operation modes: gateway mode, transparent mode, or server mode. Requirements of each operation mode vary.

Table 6: Comparison of gateway, transparent, and server mode of operation

Gateway Transparent Server
SMTP role MTA/relay Transparent proxy/relay Server
FortiMail unit is hidden No Yes, if enabled No
Email user accounts Preferences and per-recipient quarantine only Preferences and per-recipient quarantine only Yes
Requires DNS record change Yes No, if hidden with no per-recipient quarantines or Bayesian scan Yes

Table 6: Comparison of gateway, transparent, and server mode of operation

May require changes to SMTP client configurations or other infrastructure Yes No Yes
Requires FortiMail unit located between external MTAs and protected email servers No Yes N/A

(FortiMail unit acts as email server)

Protected email servers Separate Separate Integrated

(FortiMail unit acts as email server)

In addition, some FortiMail features are specific to the operation mode. As a result, changing the operation mode may reset your FortiMail configuration.

You will usually choose the operation mode that is appropriate for your topology and requirements and configure the operation mode only once, just after physical installation and initial configuration, and before using the Quick Start Wizard.

This section describes each operation mode, assisting you in choosing the mode that best suits your requirements.

This section contains the following topics:

  • Deployment guidelines
  • Characteristics of gateway mode
  • Characteristics of transparent mode
  • Characteristics of server mode
  • Changing the operation mode

Having trouble configuring your Fortinet hardware or have some questions you need answered? Check Out The Fortinet Guru Youtube Channel! Want someone else to deal with it for you? Get some consulting from Fortinet GURU!

This entry was posted in Administration Guides, FortiMail and tagged , on by .

About Mike

Michael Pruett, CISSP has a wide range of cyber-security and network engineering expertise. The plethora of vendors that resell hardware but have zero engineering knowledge resulting in the wrong hardware or configuration being deployed is a major pet peeve of Michael's. This site was started in an effort to spread information while providing the option of quality consulting services at a much lower price than Fortinet Professional Services. Owns PacketLlama.Com (Fortinet Hardware Sales) and Office Of The CISO, LLC (Cybersecurity consulting firm).

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.