Best Practices – Environmental Specifications

Environmental specifications

Keep the following environmental specifications in mind when installing and setting up your FortiGate unit.

  • Operating temperature: 32 to 104°F (0 to 40°C). Temperatures may vary, depending on the FortiGate model.
  • If you install the FortiGate unit in a closed or multi-unit rack assembly, the operating ambient temperature of the rack environment may be greater than room ambient temperature.

Therefore, make sure to install the equipment in an environment compatible with the manufacturer’s maximum rated ambient temperature.

  • Storage temperature: -13 to 158°F (-25 to 70°C). Temperatures may vary, depending on the FortiGate model. l Humidity: 5 to 90% non-condensing.
  • Air flow – For rack installation, make sure that the amount of air flow required for safe operation of the equipment is not compromised.
  • For free-standing installation, make sure that the appliance has at least 1.5 in. (3.75 cm) of clearance on each side to allow for adequate air flow and cooling.

Depending on your device, the FortiGate may generate, use, and even radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If the equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

  • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. l Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
  • Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. l Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Explosion is a serious risk if the battery is replaced by an incorrect type. Dispose of used batteries according to the instructions. To reduce the risk of fire, use only No. 26 AWG or larger UL Listed or CSA Certified Telecommunication Line Cord.

Grounding

  • Ensure the FortiGate unit is connected and properly grounded to a lightning and surge protector. WAN or LAN connections that enter the premises from outside the building should be connected to an Ethernet CAT5 (10/100 Mb/s) surge protector.
  • Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Ethernet cables should be used whenever possible rather than Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP).
  • Do not connect or disconnect cables during lightning activity to avoid damage to the FortiGate unit or personal injury.

Rack mounting                                                                                                             Environmental specifications

Rack mounting

  • Elevated Operating Ambient – If installed in a closed or multi-unit rack assembly, the operating ambient temperature of the rack environment may be greater than room ambient.

Therefore, consideration should be given to installing the equipment in an environment compatible with the maximum ambient temperature (Tmax) specified by the manufacturer.

  • Reduced Air Flow – Installation of the equipment in a rack should be such that the amount of air flow required for safe operation of the equipment is not compromised.
  • Mechanical Loading – Mounting of the equipment in the rack should be such that a hazardous condition is not achieved due to uneven mechanical loading.
  • Circuit Overloading – Consideration should be given to the connection of the equipment to the supply circuit and the effect that overloading of the circuits might have on overcurrent protection and supply wiring. Appropriate consideration of equipment nameplate ratings should be used when addressing this concern. l Reliable Earthing – Reliable earthing of rack-mounted equipment should be maintained.

Particular attention should be given to supply connections other than direct connections to the branch circuit (e.g. use of power strips).

 

Firmware change management


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This entry was posted in Administration Guides, FortiOS 6 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).

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