With many of today's emerging technology, a challenge that often arises is that of migration. As we all know, today's technology is ever moving forward and with this comes its own issues. One of the most common ones is that of transitioning older complex configurations onto new and next generation solutions. This, from a high level, can look like a relatively simple task; however, for any manager of security solutions, they will see this as one of the biggest headaches that they face.
With FortiConverter, Fortinet offers their customers a simple supported process for this. Historically, this has been a heavily manual or professional services driven engagement and there are a number of reasons for this. The primary reason is often complexity. Device configurations can often grow organically and while individual changes can be managed relatively easily, when the task is to transfer whole configurations to new platforms, the task becomes substantially more difficult. An additional challenge is that very often old and redundant information exists in configurations and these complicate the migration process. With FortiConverter, this process is massively simplified and automated while errors and redundant information are highlighted quickly, enabling a smooth transition process to the next generation platforms.
Multi-vendor support
Single tool for multiple installations allowing for cross-vendor installation conversion.
Minimal fine tuning
With the automated nature of the configuration conversion, the smallest amount of information is required to finalize the configuration conversion and final fine tuning. Thus, removing the possibility of human error into the conversion process.
Error correction
With many complex configurations, errors creep in over time. FortiConverter will identify these errors allowing the platform to operate at maximum efficiency and required level of security. Avoids copying of unused items or objects into the newly created configuration.
Unlimited profiles
The FortiConverter gives access to all vendors and also allows for the conversion of even the largest and most complex firewall and security configurations.
Configuration validation
When transitioning to next generation security platforms, Fortinet believes that this should be as seamless as possible and for this reason Fortinet has developed the FortiConverter software solution. Errors that have existed for a number of years but because of the nature or location, have never been discovered or caused problems within organizations, are often missed or overlooked. With the FortiConverter product, this provides a simple process for the validation of these configurations. To perform this manually can often take hundreds of man hours of expert analysis, if it is possible at all. With FortiConverter, the smallest possible amount of information is required to ensure accurate translation while first identifying and then removing incorrect or old historically inaccurate configuration elements.
Standardization
With all transition projects there is pressure to standardize on particular platforms; however, as many of these systems have grown organically over time, this task often becomes too daunting and cost prohibitive. With FortiConverter and the ability to automate all but the smallest percentage of conversion, gives managers and operators a viable option to move to consolidated platforms. This in turn massively reduces configuration management overhead so allowing personnel to focus on the more pressing challenges of understanding threats and their emergence. Once this conversion and standardization of platforms is performed, the often hidden advantages of reduction in management overhead is seen from the earliest points.
Professional services
Professional services engagements can be a complex and time consuming process; however, by utilizing the automated features of FortiConverter, Fortinet partners and customers have the ability to accurately predict and manage these engagements. An added advantage of this is the reduction in human errors that can often occur. By the logical and structured approach that the solution provides, it is simple to incorporate this into a process and subsequent project with predictable timelines and therefore cost. With the accurate forecasting of timescales, costs and manpower, the advantages are substantial.
