Forcepoint Network Security Platform 7.3 Installation Guide

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Introduction to the Forcepoint Network Security Platform solution
Before setting up Forcepoint Network Security Platform, it is useful to know what the different components do and what Security Engine roles are available. There are also tasks that you must complete to prepare for installation.
Preparing for installation
Before installing Forcepoint Network Security Platform, identify the components of your installation and how they integrate into your environment.
Clustering
There are special considerations when you deploy an Security Engine as a Engine Cluster, IPS Cluster, or Layer 2 Engine Cluster.

Introduction to the Forcepoint Network Security Platform solution
Before setting up Forcepoint Network Security Platform, it is useful to know what the different components do and what Security Engine roles are available. There are also tasks that you must complete to prepare for installation.
- Introduction to Forcepoint Network Security Platform
  The Forcepoint Network Security Platform solution consists of Security Engines and the Forcepoint Security Management Center (SMC). The SMC is the management component of the Forcepoint Network Security Platform solution.
- Preparing for installation
  Before installing Forcepoint Network Security Platform, identify the components of your installation and how they integrate into your environment.
  - Supported platforms
    Several platforms are supported for deploying Security Engine and SMC components.
  - Clustering
    There are special considerations when you deploy an Security Engine as a Engine Cluster, IPS Cluster, or Layer 2 Engine Cluster.
    - Heartbeat connection and state synchronization
      The nodes in a cluster use a heartbeat connection to monitor the other nodes’ operation and to synchronize their state tables.
    - Hardware for Engine Cluster nodes
      You can run different nodes of the same cluster on different types of hardware.
  - Deployment options for IPS and Layer 2 Engines
    There are several ways to deploy Security Engines depending on how you want to inspect and respond to traffic.
  - Cable connection guidelines
    Follow these cable connection guidelines when connecting cables to Security Engine 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 Security Engine software or the SMC, download installation files.
  - Licensing Security Engine components
    Generate and download a license for each SMC server and Security Engine node before you start installing the Security Engine.
  - Installation overview
    The process of installing Security Engine consists of several high-level steps.
Forcepoint Security Management Center deployment
SMC is the management component of the Security Engine system. SMC must be installed and running before you can deploy the Security Engines.
Forcepoint Security Engine deployment
Forcepoint Security Engine deployment consists of adding and configuring engine elements in the SMC, and configuring the Security Engine software on the engine.
Maintenance
To maximize the benefit of Security Engine, upgrade the SMC and Security Engine regularly.
Appendices

Clustering

There are special considerations when you deploy an Security Engine as a Engine Cluster, IPS Cluster, or Layer 2 Engine Cluster.

Heartbeat connection and state synchronization for clusters
The nodes in a cluster use a heartbeat connection to monitor the other nodes’ operation and to synchronize their state tables.
Hardware for Engine Cluster nodes
You can run different nodes of the same cluster on different types of hardware.

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