In today’s increasingly connected world, securing your network traffic is more important than ever. One effective way to establish secure communication between remote networks is through a Site-to-Site VPN. A Site-to-Site VPN allows different sites or branch offices to communicate securely over the internet as if they were connected to the same local network. This blog will guide you through the process of configuring a Site-to-Site VPN on a FortiGate-60F firewall.

Why Use a Site-to-Site VPN?

A Site-to-Site VPN is typically used to connect two separate networks securely over the internet, eliminating the need for private leased lines or physical connections. This setup ensures that data transmitted between the sites remains encrypted and protected from prying eyes. In the case of a FortiGate-60F firewall, it’s a cost-effective and secure solution for businesses that need reliable, encrypted communication between remote locations.

Prerequisites

Before we dive into the configuration, here are the prerequisites:

• A FortiGate-60F firewall at both ends of the VPN connection.
• Administrative access to both FortiGate devices.
• A static public IP address for both sites.
• The VPN configuration information (such as the pre-shared key, local network settings, and remote network settings).

Step-by-Step Guide to Configuring a Site-to-Site VPN on FortiGate-60F

Step 1: Log in to the FortiGate Interface

1. Open your web browser and enter the FortiGate’s management IP address.
2. Log in using your administrator credentials.

Step 2: Configure the VPN Tunnel

On the Local FortiGate-60F

1. Go to VPN > IPsec Tunnels in the FortiGate interface.
2. Click on Create New to start the configuration.
3. Select Custom for the tunnel type and click Next.

Define the General Settings

1. In the Name field, provide a descriptive name for the tunnel (e.g., "Site-to-Site-VPN").
2. Choose Interface as the interface type and select the interface that connects to the internet (e.g., wan1).

Phase 1 Configuration

1. Under Remote Gateway, select Static IP Address.
2. In the IP Address field, enter the public IP address of the remote FortiGate device.
3. Set Authentication Method to Pre-shared Key, and enter a strong pre-shared key.
4. Set the IKE Version to IKEv2 for better security and performance.
5. Configure the Encryption and Authentication settings (e.g., AES256 and SHA256).
6. Click Next.

Phase 2 Configuration

1. Under Phase 2 Selector, click Create New.
2. Enter the local and remote subnets. For example, the local subnet might be 192.168.1.0/24, and the remote subnet could be 10.0.0.0/24.
3. Set Encryption and Authentication (e.g., AES256 and SHA256).
4. Click OK to save the configuration.

Step 3: Configure the Remote FortiGate-60F

Now, repeat the steps on the remote FortiGate device:

1. Log in to the remote FortiGate-60F.
2. Follow the same procedure to create a Site-to-Site VPN tunnel under VPN > IPsec Tunnels.
3. Ensure the remote FortiGate device’s Public IP and Pre-shared Key match those configured on the local FortiGate.

Step 4: Verify the VPN Connection

Once both FortiGate-60F devices are configured:

1. Navigate to Monitor > IPsec Monitor on the local FortiGate device to verify the tunnel status.
2. If the status shows as up, the Site-to-Site VPN is established successfully.

Step 5: Configure Routing for the VPN Tunnel

For seamless communication between the two sites, configure routing to ensure traffic is correctly routed through the VPN tunnel.

1. Go to Network > Static Routes.
2. Add a new route that directs traffic destined for the remote subnet to the VPN tunnel.

Step 6: Test the Site-to-Site VPN

To ensure everything is working correctly:

1. Test the VPN by pinging a device on the remote network from the local network.
2. If the ping is successful, your Site-to-Site VPN is fully functional.

Troubleshooting

If the VPN connection is not working, here are a few common troubleshooting steps:

• Check the pre-shared key: Ensure that the pre-shared key on both devices matches exactly.
• Firewall Policies: Make sure that appropriate firewall policies are in place to allow traffic through the VPN tunnel.
• Check the Phase 1 and Phase 2 settings: Verify that both phases are configured consistently between the local and remote FortiGate devices.

Conclusion

Configuring a Site-to-Site VPN on FortiGate-60F provides a secure and reliable way for remote offices to connect over the internet. Following the steps outlined in this blog, you can easily configure the VPN tunnel and ensure encrypted communication between sites. Always remember to test the configuration thoroughly and keep your device’s firmware updated to maintain security.

By leveraging a Site-to-Site VPN, your organization can ensure secure communication, reduce costs, and enhance the efficiency of its network infrastructure.

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