Connect by console and basic configurations in a Fortigate

The first thing after unpacking the FW is to assign it a fixed IP for the INTERNAL interface and to be able to manage it via the web, which is more convenient than by commands.. So either we change the IP to our PC or we change it to the FW. The default IP of the FW is the 192.168.1.99, it is best not to connect the FW to the network until it is assigned a fixed IP as it can cause a duplicate IP, and also that it brings the DHCP service enabled by default for the INTERNAL interface. So we connected the console cable to the FW and the PC, we open on our PC the “HyperTerminal” since “Beginning” > “Programmes” > “Accessories” > “Communications” > “HyperTerminal” and create a new connection.

We give it any name and “Accept”.

We connect to the COM port that our FW is connected to and accept,

To connect we put:
9600
8
N
1
N

And from now on by console we will be able to manage it, To log in, we authenticate ourselves with the default user, which is “Admin” and without a password.

The only thing I will do per console will be to indicate a fixed IP to the leg of the INTERNAL which will be the 172.16.0.1, for this:
# System Interface Config
# Edit internal
# IP Set 172.16.0.1 255.255.255.0
# show (to check that the data entered is correct)
# End (to save your changes)

Now we can connect to the FW, we will do it over HTTPS since the traffic is encrypted and the password does not go in plaintext through the network. So https://172.16.0.1, user: admin and no password.

There are two things to do as soon as you start, the first is to change the system date so that when we configure VPN's we do not have synchronization problems; and the other change the password of the FW administrator. The first is done from the same screen of “Status” in “System Time” by clicking on “Change”.