Always follow Fortinet’s recommended upgrade path (especially if skipping versions). After upgrade, verify with get system status .
virt-install \ --name=FortiGate-VM \ --virt-type=kvm \ --memory=8192 \ --vcpus=4 \ --disk path=/path/to/your/fgtvm64kvmv723fbuild1262fortinetoutkvm.qcow2,format=qcow2 \ --network bridge=br0,model=virtio \ --graphics vnc,listen=0.0.0.0,port=5900 \ --noautoconsole \ --import
: Minimum of 1 (Licensed based on your FortiGate-VM tier, e.g., VM01, VM02).
Construct the target directory string exactly as defined: /opt/unetlab/addons/qemu/fortinet-7.2.3/ . Move the virtual disk file into this directory path. Rename the file explicitly to virtioa.qcow2 . Fix backend file system ownership tracking permissions: /opt/unetlab/wrappers/unl_wrapper -a fixpermissions Use code with caution. GNS3 Topology Design
sudo qemu-img resize /var/lib/libvirt/images/fgtvm64kvmv723fbuild1262fortinetoutkvmqcow2 +10G fgtvm64kvmv723fbuild1262fortinetoutkvmqcow2
Once your FortiGate-VM is online and protecting your network, the journey isn't over. Like any critical piece of network infrastructure, it requires ongoing maintenance.
Also ensure no firewall on the host is blocking port 443.
Build FGTVM64-KVM-v7.2.3-build1262 is a "safe harbor" release. It avoids the experimental risks of the newer v7.4 branch while providing a modern feature set. If you are running virtualized network security on KVM, this is the recommended build to standardize on until the next major LTS release.
: The disk image format (QEMU Copy-On-Write), standard for KVM/QEMU virtual disks. Key Features of FortiOS 7.2.3 Construct the target directory string exactly as defined:
: For version 7.2.3, the minimum requirements are often 2 vCPUs and 2GB of RAM for very basic functions, but official guides typically recommend a production-grade configuration of 4 vCPUs and 8GB of RAM to ensure stable performance.
: The FortiOS firmware version , which introduced features like enhanced Security Fabric integration and NP7 processor support.
: Obtain the .zip package from the Fortinet Support Portal and extract the .qcow2 file. Create the VM : Launch Virtual Machine Manager ( virt-manager ).
: The major and minor firmware release. Version 7.2 introduced significant enhancements in AI-powered security and ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access). : The FortiOS firmware version
With your FortiGate-VM deployed, you can explore more advanced scenarios that showcase the flexibility of a virtualized security appliance.
after first login:
This filename follows a specific convention used by Fortinet:
To understand what you are installing, it helps to break down the technical nomenclature of the file: