Network Security Platform 7.3.0 Online Help

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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 engine roles are available.
Introduction to Forcepoint Network Security Platform in the Engine/VPN role
Security Engine in the Engine/VPN role provides access control and VPN connectivity.
Forcepoint Network Security Platform benefits
In addition to standard engine features, the Forcepoint Network Security Platform provides additional advanced features.

About this Help
This online help was created for Forcepoint Network Security Platform, version 7.3.0.
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 engine roles are available.
- The Forcepoint Network Security Platform solution
  The Forcepoint Network Security Platform solution consists of one or more Forcepoint Network Security Platforms and the Forcepoint Security Management Center (SMC). The SMC is the management component of the Forcepoint Network Security Platform solution.
- Introduction to Forcepoint Network Security Platform in the Engine/VPN role
  Security Engine in the Engine/VPN role provides access control and VPN connectivity.
  - Overview of Forcepoint Network Security Platform in the Engine/VPN role
    Forcepoint Network Security Platform in the Engine/VPN role provides access control and VPN connectivity.
  - Forcepoint Network Security Platform benefits
    In addition to standard engine features, the Forcepoint Network Security Platform provides additional advanced features.
    - Support for multi-layer inspection
      Multi-layer inspection combines access control, application identification, deep inspection, and file filtering flexibly to optimize security and system performance.
    - Layer 2 interfaces for Forcepoint Network Security Platform in the Engine/VPN role
      Layer 2 interfaces on Security Engines in the Engine/VPN role allow the Security Engine to provide the same kind of traffic inspection that is available for Security Engines in the IPS and Layer 2 Engine roles.
    - Advanced traffic inspection
      The Engine's traffic inspection process is designed to ensure a high level of security and throughput. The Engines’ policies determine when to use stateful connection tracking, packet filtering, or application-level security.
    - Built-in clustering for load balancing and high availability
      The Engine provides innovative built-in clustering and load-balancing features that provide several benefits over traditional solutions.
    - VPN Capability
      Forcepoint Network Security Platform supports software-defined wide area networks (VPNs).
    - Built-in inbound traffic management
      The built-in Server Pool feature allows Engines to monitor a pool of alternative servers that offer the same service to the users.
    - Integrating Engine/VPN role with IPS and Layer 2 Engines
      You can use Forcepoint Network Security Platform in the Engine/VPN role, IPS, and Layer 2 Engine roles together for traffic inspection.
- Introduction to Forcepoint Network Security Platform in the IPS and Layer 2 Engine roles
  The Security Engines in the IPS and Layer 2 Engine roles are part of the Forcepoint Network Security Platform solution. The IPS component provides intrusion detection and prevention, and the Layer 2 Engines provide access control and deep inspection of traffic.
Deployment
Before you can set up the system and start configuring elements, you must consider how the different SMC components should be positioned and deployed.
Setting up
After deploying the SMC components, you are ready to start using the SMC Client and carrying out some of the first configuration tasks.
Monitoring
You can use the SMC to monitor system components and third-party devices. You can also view and filter logs, and create Reports from them.
Controlling Security Engines
You can command and set options for engines through the SMC Client or on the engine command line. You can also stop traffic manually.
SMC configuration
SMC Manager configuration allows you to customize how the SMC components work.
Security Engine configuration
You can create and modify Engines, IPS engines, Layer 2 Engines, Master Engines and Virtual Security Engines. You can configure the Security Engine properties, activate optional features, and configure advanced Security Engine settings.
Routing
Use the SMC Client to configure static or dynamic routing, and use a Multi-Link configuration to manage and distribute inbound and outbound connections.
Traffic inspection policies
Policies are key elements that contain rules for allowing or blocking network traffic and inspecting the content of traffic.
Users and authentication
User accounts are stored in internal databases or external directory servers. You can use Forcepoint Network Security Platform in the Engine/VPN role or external authentication servers to authenticate users.
Virtual private networks
Forcepoint Network Security Platform supports both policy-based and Route-based Tunnels between VPN gateways. For full remote access, Forcepoint Network Security Platform supports both IPsec and SSL VPN tunnels for VPN clients.
Maintenance and upgrades
Maintenance includes procedures that you do not typically need to do frequently.
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting helps you resolve common problems in the Forcepoint Network Security Platform and SMC.
Appendices

Forcepoint Network Security Platform benefits

In addition to standard engine features, the Forcepoint Network Security Platform provides additional advanced features.

Support for multi-layer inspection
Multi-layer inspection combines access control, application identification, deep inspection, and file filtering flexibly to optimize security and system performance.
Layer 2 interfaces for Forcepoint Network Security Platform in the Engine/VPN role
Layer 2 interfaces on Security Engines in the Engine/VPN role allow the Security Engine to provide the same kind of traffic inspection that is available for Security Engines in the IPS and Layer 2 Engine roles.
Advanced traffic inspection
The Engine's traffic inspection process is designed to ensure a high level of security and throughput. The Engines’ policies determine when to use stateful connection tracking, packet filtering, or application-level security.
Built-in clustering for load balancing and high availability
The Engine provides innovative built-in clustering and load-balancing features that provide several benefits over traditional solutions.
VPN Capability
Forcepoint Network Security Platform supports software-defined wide area networks (VPNs).
Built-in inbound traffic management
The built-in Server Pool feature allows Engines to monitor a pool of alternative servers that offer the same service to the users.
Integrating Engine/VPN role with IPS and Layer 2 Engines
You can use Forcepoint Network Security Platform in the Engine/VPN role, IPS, and Layer 2 Engine roles together for traffic inspection.

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