# 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.

The term Engine refers to the combination of the Forcepoint Network Security Platform software in the Engine/VPN role, and the hardware device or the virtual machine that the software runs on.

Engines have the following representations in the SMC:

- The Single Engine and Engine Cluster elements are containers for the main configuration information directly related to the Engine.
- The individual physical engine devices are shown as one or more Nodes under the main Engine element in some views of the SMC Client.

The Forcepoint Network Security Platform software includes an integrated operating system (a specially hardened version of Linux). There is no need for separate operating system patches or upgrades. All software on the engines is upgraded during the software upgrade.