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Introduction to the Forcepoint FlexEdge Secure SD-WAN solution
Before setting up Forcepoint FlexEdge Secure SD-WAN, it is useful to know what the different components do and what engine roles are available. There are also tasks that you must complete to prepare for installation.
Preparing for installation
Before installing Secure SD-WAN, identify the components of your installation and how they integrate into your environment.
Installation security considerations

Introduction to the Forcepoint FlexEdge Secure SD-WAN solution
Before setting up Forcepoint FlexEdge Secure SD-WAN, it is useful to know what the different components do and what engine roles are available. There are also tasks that you must complete to prepare for installation.
- Introduction to Forcepoint FlexEdge Secure SD-WAN
  The Forcepoint FlexEdge Secure SD-WAN solution consists of Secure SD-WAN Engines and the Forcepoint FlexEdge Secure SD-WAN Manager (SMC). The SMC is the management component of the Forcepoint FlexEdge Secure SD-WAN solution.
- Preparing for installation
  Before installing Secure SD-WAN, identify the components of your installation and how they integrate into your environment.
  - Installation security considerations
    - Physical security
      All Forcepoint FlexEdge Secure SD-WAN components including SMC components and Secure SD-WAN Engines, whether in physical or virtual form factors, must always be setup in secured and access controlled physical premises where only trusted administrators can physically access the appliances running the platform components.
    - Upgrade appliances
  - Supported platforms
    Several platforms are supported for deploying Secure SD-WAN Engine and SMC components.
  - Clustering
    There are special considerations when you deploy an Secure SD-WAN Engine as a Engine Cluster, IPS Cluster, or Layer 2 Engine Cluster.
  - Deployment options for IPS and Layer 2 Engines
    There are several ways to deploy Secure SD-WAN Engines depending on how you want to inspect and respond to traffic.
  - Cable connection guidelines
    Follow these cable connection guidelines when connecting cables to Secure SD-WAN hardware and the SMC Appliance.
  - Speed and duplex
    Mismatched speed and duplex settings are a frequent source of networking problems.
  - Obtain installation files
    If you did not receive an installation DVD for the Secure SD-WAN Engine software or the SMC, download installation files.
  - Licensing FlexEdge Secure SD-WAN components
    Generate and download a license for each SMC server and Secure SD-WAN Engine node before you start installing the Secure SD-WAN.
  - Installation overview
    The process of installing Secure SD-WAN consists of several high-level steps.
FlexEdge Secure SD-WAN Manager deployment
SMC is the management component of the Secure SD-WAN system. SMC must be installed and running before you can deploy the Secure SD-WAN engines.
Forcepoint FlexEdge Secure SD-WAN deployment
Forcepoint FlexEdge Secure SD-WAN deployment consists of adding and configuring engine elements in the SMC, and configuring the Secure SD-WAN Engine software on the engine.
Maintenance
To maximize the benefit of Secure SD-WAN, upgrade the SMC and Secure SD-WAN regularly.
Appendices

Installation security considerations

Physical security
All Forcepoint FlexEdge Secure SD-WAN components including SMC components and Secure SD-WAN Engines, whether in physical or virtual form factors, must always be setup in secured and access controlled physical premises where only trusted administrators can physically access the appliances running the platform components.
Upgrade appliances