Become a Hero: How to set up Fortigate SD-WAN Network Monitor and Save the Day!

Are you tired of dealing with slow network performance, dropped connections, and frustrated users? If so, you're not alone. These issues can be a major headache for IT professionals, but there are solutions for Fortigate SD-WAN Network Monitor.

In this blog post, we'll show you how to become a hero by implementing Fortigate SD-WAN Network Monitor solutions and saving the day.

We all know that the S is for “SD-Wan Monitor Man”

From there, we'll dive into the benefits of using Fortigate SD-WAN Network Monitoring solutions, including increased network visibility, better performance, and reduced downtime.

But we won't stop there. We'll also provide step-by-step instructions on how to set up Obkio for your Fortigate SD-WAN and start monitoring your network like a pro. You don't need to be a networking expert to follow along – our guide is designed to be accessible and easy to follow, even if you're new to network monitoring.

So if you're ready to take your network performance to the next level and become the hero of your IT department, keep reading. We'll show you how to use Obkio to identify and solve Fortigate network issues before they become a major problem, and keep your users happy and productive.

A network monitoring tool for Fortigate SD-WAN is a software solution designed to provide end-to-end visibility into the performance and reliability of Fortigate SD-WAN networks. These tools typically use a combination of real-time monitoring, analytics, and reporting to provide IT professionals with the information they need to identify and troubleshoot issues quickly and efficiently.

Specifically, a network monitoring tool for Fortiage SD-WAN may include the following features:

• Real-time monitoring of network traffic, bandwidth usage, and application performance to identify any issues that may impact user experience.

• Detailed analytics and reporting that provide a complete view of network performance, including insights into application performance, network topology, and user behavior.

• Customizable dashboards and alerts that allow IT professionals to set thresholds and receive notifications when network performance falls below acceptable levels.

• Support for multiple network protocols and devices, including those that are not part of the Fortigate SD-WAN solution.

• Integration with other network management tools, such as configuration management and incident management solutions, to streamline troubleshooting and issue resolution.

Overall, a network monitoring tool for Fortigate SD-WAN is an essential component of any IT professional's toolkit, providing the visibility and insights needed to ensure optimal network performance and reliability.

Migrating to Fortigate SD-WAN technology can be a game-changer for businesses seeking improved network performance and reliability. However, some organizations may still encounter network visibility and performance challenges along the way.

Fortunately, with the right SD-WAN monitoring in place, you can proactively identify and address any issues that arise to ensure a smooth migration and optimal network performance. Here are just some of the benefits of Fortigate SD-WAN monitoring:

Ensure a successful migration: By implementing SD-WAN monitoring before your migration, you can identify any potential issues that may hinder the process and take steps to resolve them.

• Get unparalleled visibility: With SD-WAN monitoring, you can catch performance issues that vendors and service providers may miss, allowing you to take action before they impact your network.

• Measure SD-WAN promises: SD-WAN monitoring helps you ensure that your vendor upholds the promises they made for your SD-WAN performance, so you can get the most out of your investment.

• Proactively identify and resolve issues: With SD-WAN monitoring, you can quickly identify and resolve high bandwidth and CPU usage issues that can impact user experience, ensuring optimal performance.

• Gain 360-degree visibility: SD-WAN monitoring provides you with a comprehensive view of your network performance, so you can see things from the user's point-of-view and ensure that the SD-WAN service is delivering on its promised performance.

• Facilitate troubleshooting: With the right SD-WAN monitoring tools, you can easily troubleshoot issues with MPLS or Internet Connections, SD-WAN Edge devices, IPSec Tunnels, and Firewall as a Service (FWaaS).

• Streamline support: SD-WAN monitoring gives you the necessary visibility to provide service providers with the information they need to escalate support cases and quickly resolve any issues.

With these benefits in mind, it's clear that SD-WAN monitoring is a critical component of any successful Fortiage SD-WAN deployment. And while there may be some challenges along the way, the right monitoring solution can help you overcome them and keep your network in peak performance.

While it may seem convenient to use the same network monitoring tool as your SD-WAN vendor, there are several reasons why this may not be the best approach:

• End to End vs. Edge to Edge: One of the main reasons to choose an external solution for monitoring SD-WAN network performance instead of relying on the SD-WAN vendor's solution is that built-in monitoring tends to be edge to edge, rather than end to end. This means that the monitoring is done from the perspective of the edge routers, which are typically installed between the WAN and LAN, and we completely lose sight of the LAN's perspective. Without LAN monitoring, we have limited network visibility.

• Lack of vendor neutrality: If you use the same network monitoring tool as your SD-WAN vendor, you may be limited in your ability to monitor other network devices and services that are not part of your SD-WAN solution. This lack of vendor neutrality can limit your ability to get a complete view of your network performance.

• Limited functionality: SD-WAN vendors may provide basic network monitoring capabilities as part of their solution, but these tools may not offer the same level of functionality as dedicated network monitoring tools. For example, they may not provide detailed analytics or customizable dashboards.

• Dependence on vendor support: If you use the same network monitoring tool as your SD-WAN vendor, you may be dependent on their support team for troubleshooting and issue resolution. This can limit your ability to quickly resolve issues on your own.

• Cost: SD-WAN vendors may charge extra fees for their network monitoring tools, or the tools may be bundled with other services that you may not need. This can result in higher costs compared to using a dedicated network monitoring tool.

• Lack of flexibility: SD-WAN vendors may limit your ability to customize your network monitoring tool to fit your specific needs. Dedicated network monitoring tools offer greater flexibility to customize dashboards, alerts, and other settings to fit your specific requirements.

Overall, using the same network monitoring tool as your SD-WAN vendor may seem convenient, but it may not provide the same level of functionality, flexibility, or vendor neutrality as using a dedicated network monitoring tool. It's important to evaluate your options and choose the tool that best meets your specific needs.

Obkio is a network performance monitoring and troubleshooting solution that offers several benefits for monitoring Fortigate SD-WAN, including the following:

• Easy to set up: Obkio is designed to be easy to set up and use, with a user-friendly interface and simple configuration process. This makes it easier for IT professionals to get started with network monitoring and troubleshooting, even if they are not networking experts.

• Comprehensive network monitoring: Obkio provides end-to-end visibility into network performance, including real-time monitoring of network traffic, bandwidth usage, and application performance. This allows IT professionals to quickly identify and troubleshoot issues before they become major problems.

• Automated issue resolution: Obkio includes automated network testing and alerts, which can help IT professionals identify and resolve issues quickly and efficiently. This can reduce downtime and improve network performance.

• Vendor neutrality: Obkio is vendor-neutral and can be used to monitor any network devices and services, including those that are not part of the Fortigate SD-WAN solution. This provides greater flexibility and a more complete view of network performance.

• Affordable pricing: Obkio offers a variety of pricing plans to fit different budget and business needs, including flexible subscription-based plans that can be customized to meet specific requirements.

• Great online accessible documentation: Obkio provides extensive documentation, including user guides, tutorials, and video walkthroughs, which are all easily accessible online. This makes it easy for IT professionals to get up and running with the tool quickly, and to find answers to any questions they may have along the way. The documentation also includes network monitoring best practices for network monitoring and troubleshooting, which can help IT professionals optimize their network performance and identify issues more efficiently.

Overall, Obkio is a powerful and user-friendly solution for monitoring Fortigate SD-WAN, offering comprehensive network performance monitoring, automated issue resolution, and flexible pricing options. If you're looking for an easy-to-use, affordable solution to monitor your Fortigate SD-WAN, Obkio is definitely worth considering.

Ready to take your network monitoring to the next level? Try Obkio's SD-WAN monitoring solution today and gain valuable insights into the performance of your network.

Don't let network challenges hold you back - sign up for Obkio's SD-WAN monitoring solution now.

• 14-day free trial of all premium features
• Deploy in just 10 minutes
• Monitor performance in all key network locations
• Measure real-time network metrics
• Identify and troubleshoot live network problems

Despite the many benefits of Fortigate SD-WAN, there are some common issues that organizations may encounter. Fortunately, with the right SD-WAN monitoring solution in place, IT professionals can quickly identify and resolve these issues, ensuring optimal network performance and user experience.

Here are some common Fortigate SD-WAN issues and how SD-WAN monitoring can help:

• Bandwidth and performance issues: High bandwidth and CPU usage can cause performance issues that impact user experience. SD-WAN monitoring can help identify these issues proactively, allowing IT professionals to take action before users are impacted.

• Network visibility challenges: Fortigate SD-WAN networks can be complex, with many different devices and protocols in use. SD-WAN monitoring provides IT professionals with a comprehensive view of network performance, so they can quickly identify any issues that arise.

• Complexity of deployment: Deploying and managing Fortigate SD-WAN can be challenging, particularly for organizations with limited IT resources. SD-WAN monitoring can help streamline the deployment and management process, making it easier to get up and running quickly and efficiently.

Overall, SD-WAN monitoring is an essential tool for organizations using Fortigate SD-WAN. It provides the visibility and insights needed to identify and resolve common SD-WAN issues quickly, ensuring optimal network performance and user experience. With the right SD-WAN monitoring solution in place, organizations can maximize the benefits of Fortigate SD-WAN and stay ahead of potential challenges.

Alright, you're on the right track! You know that monitoring your Fortigate SD-WAN network is crucial for optimal performance and avoiding migration hiccups. But, let's be real, figuring out how to actually set up a monitoring tool can be overwhelming.

Well, fear not, my friend! We've got your back. In the following section, we'll guide you through the process of implementing Obkio to monitor your Fortigate SD-WAN. We'll cover everything from selecting the right monitoring tools to setting up policies and alerts, so you can rest easy knowing you've got the tools to keep your network in tip-top shape.

Get ready to take charge of your network like a boss and achieve maximum efficiency and uptime with Fortigate SD-WAN monitoring! Let's do this!

Hey there, traditional monitoring solutions – you're great and all, but you're not giving us the whole picture! If you're relying solely on device-focused monitoring or SD-WAN native features, you're missing out on some seriously juicy insights into your network's performance.

But don't worry, there's a solution! Enter Obkio Network Performance Monitoring software, the ultimate agent-based solution for monitoring your Fortigate SD-WAN network. With dedicated SD-WAN monitoring capabilities, you'll finally get the deep understanding you need to truly optimize your network's performance.

So, what exactly can Obkio do for you? Well, how about providing you with crucial insights into whether your Fortigate SD-WAN service is actually performing as promised? Or identifying any pesky problems affecting your network and pinpointing exactly where those issues are occurring?

Plus, with Obkio, you'll always know who's responsible for troubleshooting the issue and fixing it.

So, are you ready to take your SD-WAN network's performance to the next level? Let's do this!

And experience the power of end-to-end performance monitoring for yourself.

If you're about to migrate to Fortigate SD-WAN, you need to listen up. Deploying a monitoring solution before your migration is like doing your stretches before a workout – it's critical for success!

At Obkio, we use synthetic UDP traffic and Monitoring Agents to keep a close eye on your network's performance. And let's be real, who wouldn't want a superhero watching over their network?

To monitor your Fortigate SD-WAN migration, we recommend deploying Monitoring Agents in all the right places. You know, key network locations like your local network and between your remote offices, headquarters, data centers, or clouds.

Check out the graph above! It shows the performance of a branch office during their migration from a low-bandwidth MPLS connection to an SD-WAN service with two broadband connections. You can see the migration right there in the middle of the graph (around 18:20).

Then, a few minutes later (around 19:00), the SD-WAN service switched from the primary ISP to the secondary ISP due to high packet loss for about 15 minutes. But don't worry, the graph shows just a little bit of packet loss during the failover because the SD-WAN appliance was quick to switch over.

Don't leave your Fortigate SD-WAN migration to chance. Deploy Obkio's monitoring solution before you migrate to ensure maximum network performance and reliability. Contact us today to learn more about our solutions and how we can help you keep your network in top shape!

Hey there, it's time to get excited about network architecture! Knowing the ins and outs of your Fortinet SD-WAN network is essential to ensure optimal performance and reliability.

Your network's architecture is made up of various components, including the underlay, overlay, LAN, and last mile, which can all impact performance. And let's not forget about Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) creating additional communication paths that may require support from your Service Provider.

To get the most out of your SD-WAN monitoring solution, you need to have a deep understanding of your network's anatomy. This will help you identify potential performance issues and deploy an effective monitoring solution that covers all network components.

Check out the image below to see a SD-WAN network site communicating with a Data Center, Head Office, or IaaS. Get ready to dive deep into your network architecture and optimize your Fortigate SD-WAN performance!

In the world of SD-WAN architecture, it's a jungle out there! SD-WAN issues can pop up from all sorts of places:

• The Underlay: like the foundation of a building, issues with the underlay can cause major issues for your SD-WAN network.

• The Internet: with the internet being the main mode of communication, issues here can really impact performance.

• Internet Local Loop: just like a traffic jam on a highway, congestion here can cause delays. Internet Provider's Edge Router: when things get backed up here, your network can grind to a halt.

• ISP Backbone: issues with your Internet Service Provider's backbone can cause headaches for your SD-WAN network.

• ISP Peering Point: where your ISP connects with other ISPs can also cause issues. Internet VPN IPSec: VPNs between your site and ZScaler (Firewall As A Service) can cause communication problems.

That's not all - issues can also come from the overlay, the LAN, the last mile, and even Firewall As A Service (FWaaS). The last mile, in particular, can be a real headache for companies using SD-WAN, with 80% experiencing performance issues.

If you're using FWaaS, you may also need to open a support ticket with your Service Provider to resolve any issues. It's a lot to keep track of, but with the right monitoring solution, you can stay on top of it all and ensure your SD-WAN network is performing at its best!

Ready to take your network performance to the next level? It's time to install Obkio Network Monitoring Agents and get monitoring!

Installing Network Monitoring Agents behind your Fortigate SD-WAN appliance is a critical step in deploying your SD-WAN monitoring solution.

This allows for end-user perspective monitoring, so you can see exactly how your network is performing from the user's point of view. It's like having your own network personal trainer, givng you the inside scoop on how your network is really performing.

By monitoring network performance from the end-user perspective, you can ensure that all critical business applications are performing optimally, and quickly identify and address any issues that may impact user experience.

With Obkio Network Monitoring Agents in place, you can proactively identify and troubleshoot performance issues, improving overall network efficiency and uptime.

This is the setup we recommend:

• 1 Local Agent per network location (data centers, remote offices etc.)
• 3 Public Monitoring Agents to monitor the Internet

With this setup, you’ll also have visibility of:

• ISP #1 connection
• ISP #2 connection
• The End-User (load balanced between the connection using the SD-WAN algorithm)
• The SASE Service
• The Site to Site IPsec Tunnel

After the Network Monitoring Agents have been deployed, they start working their magic by creating Monitoring Sessions that use synthetic UDP traffic to monitor every network path. These Agents can then measure network metrics like latency, jitter, and packet loss to identify any issues that may arise.

Don't worry, though - if the Agents detect any performance issues, they'll raise the alarm to notify network administrators, who can then take action to address the problem.

With SD-WAN monitoring tools like these, businesses can get ahead of network issues before they become a big headache, ensuring maximum network uptime and efficiency. Who doesn't love a well-oiled machine?

To be the ultimate SD-WAN champ, you need to monitor your network performance from multiple angles. Think of it like a 360-degree view of your network's performance, just like doing a sweet skateboard trick!

To set this up, you'll need to configure three monitoring sessions between a local Monitoring Agent behind the SD-WAN appliance and three remote Monitoring Agents located in the same area, like your trusty buddies cheering you on from different spots in the park.

With this monitoring setup, you can compare the actual performance of your network against the promises made by your SD-WAN vendors and ensure maximum efficiency and uptime. And if any performance issues arise, you'll get alerted faster than you can say "radical" so you can fix them before they become major problems.

The beauty of monitoring sessions is that they provide multiple perspectives into your network performance.

• The top graph displays performance from an end-user perspective, load-balanced between connections using the SD-WAN algorithm.
• Meanwhile, the middle and bottom graphs show the performance of ISP A and ISP B connections, respectively.

With this comprehensive view, businesses can quickly identify performance issues and take action to resolve them. By being proactive, network administrators can optimize network efficiency and uptime, leading to happier end-users and a more productive workplace.

It's no wonder that this type of monitoring setup is so popular among businesses using Fortigate SD-WAN technologies!

With Obkio's SD-WAN monitoring solution, you'll be the superhero of network performance monitoring! The solution will give you a bird's eye view of your network's performance, with continuous monitoring of network metrics and detection of any issues that may arise.

Don't let slow application performance or disconnections bring you down! Obkio's solution provides automatic network monitoring alerts and a Chord Diagram for real-time performance views, so you can easily identify the root cause of any issues and take action to fix them.

With this kind of power at your fingertips, you can ensure maximum uptime and efficiency for your business-critical applications. Obkio's SD-WAN monitoring solution is the key to unlocking your Fortigate network's full potential and optimizing your network performance.

So, suit up and get ready to be the hero of your network performance!

Obkio's SD-WAN monitoring solution offers a sweet Chord Diagram that's like a visual symphony of your network's performance. It's like a futuristic music video that shows all the Monitoring Agents and their connections with each other.

The colors of the lines between the Monitoring Agents tell you how well the network sessions are performing. Think of it like a rainbow of performance, with red indicating the most severe issues and other colors indicating less severe problems.

With the Chord Diagram, you'll be able to quickly identify any performance issues or bottlenecks that may be holding back your Fortigate network.

It's like a GPS for your network's performance, guiding you to optimal uptime and efficiency. Obkio's SD-WAN monitoring solution is like having your own personal conductor, keeping your network in perfect harmony.

When it comes to troubleshooting your SD-WAN network, you gotta focus on the red stuff first! That's right, those bright red lines on Obkio dashboards are indicating the most severe issues that need your attention ASAP.

And let's be real, no one wants to be caught slacking when it comes to network performance. So, take a cue from Branch 3 in the screenshot below and get to work on resolving those issues in the most impacted locations.

With Obkio's comprehensive monitoring solution, you can easily identify the most severe issues affecting your Fortigate SD-WAN network and prioritize troubleshooting efforts accordingly.

Want to take a closer look at your Fortigate SD-WAN network and identify any pesky performance issues? Then it's time to switch to the Dashboard View, where you can see all your key network metrics in one convenient page.

This feature is like your own personal control center, where you can compare information from all your Monitoring Agents and easily identify the root cause of any issues. It's like having x-ray vision for your network!

Take a look at the sample Dashboard below for Branch 3. This bad boy features various performance graphs that can be customized to show data for different time frames. Check out the selected view, which shows performance metrics for the last 8 hours. Now that's what I call a bird's-eye view!

It's time to take a closer look at Obkio's Dashboard View, the ultimate tool for monitoring the performance of your SD-WAN network. In this view, you can access a wide range of information that will help you keep your network running like a well-oiled machine.

• Column 1 shows you the UDP monitoring session performance from the Branch 3 Monitoring Agent towards the SD-WAN user experience Monitoring Agents. You can see the Internet SD-WAN user experience, as well as the experience of the Internet connections (ISP 1 & ISP 2) in the three rad graphs.

• Column 2 represents SNMP Polling (Device Monitoring) on the SD-WAN Edge Equipment. Obkio performs SNMP monitoring on the Monitoring Agent and presents metrics for CPU Usage and Bandwidth Usage in the graphs below. Because who doesn't love graphs, am I right?

• Column 3 is where you can find performance metrics for Zoom and Microsoft Teams, two crucial applications for many businesses. Obkio provides HTTP Application Performance and VoIP Quality metrics in easy-to-read graphs that will make your network admin heart sing.

With all this detailed network information at your fingertips, you can identify performance issues and troubleshoot them like a boss.

It looks like we've got a performance problem! But don't worry, we can solve this faster than you can say "Fortigate SD-WAN."

After taking a closer look at the data, it's clear that we've got a major issue affecting all traffic on both ISPs. Yikes! It's like hitting a gnarly pothole on a skateboard ramp - not fun.

But fear not, fellow skaters, we can track down the cause of this issue like a pro. From the looks of it, the problem seems to be happening on a network segment that is common to both ISPs, which could be the LAN or the SD-WAN Edge Router.

Our trusty Obkio monitoring solution has identified the root cause of this issue - high CPU usage.

Just like trying to pull off a gnarly trick without enough speed, when the device doesn't have enough resources to manage the throughput, it can result in high packet loss.

With Obkio's historical data available on the Dashboard, you can investigate network performance like a detective! By analyzing the performance metrics, you can identify patterns, triggers, or deviations from the baseline. It's like solving a mystery and finding out whodunit!

By examining the screenshot above, you can see a pattern that suggests an intermittent network issue. It's like the network gremlins are causing chaos and then hiding in the shadows. But don't worry, with Obkio, you can shine a light on these gremlins and put them in their place!

Although the pattern may not follow a specific sequence, one thing is clear: there's a high CPU usage that needs attention. Think of it like a hungry monster that needs to be fed, but instead of food, it needs more resources to manage the throughput.

You can easily identify and troubleshoot any problems with your WAN and Internet connections.

And if you need even more firepower, you can use Obkio Vision, a free visual Traceroute tool that runs continuously to pinpoint the exact location and cause of any issues affecting your network.

Obkio Vision Quality Matrix

If you're already confident that the network problem is happening on your end, you can skip this step, as it will only confirm what you already know.

But if you're still not sure, Obkio's got your back with its Traceroutes, Network Map, and Quality Matrix tools.

These features can help you figure out if the problem is happening towards a specific location over the Internet, or if it's just one particular site that's taking the hit.

Obkio Vision Network Map

You may need to open a support case with your ISP as the issue is on their side.

Obkio Vision Traceroutes

If you discover that the issue is on your Internet Service Provider's end, it's time to put on your detective hat and get to work:

• Get in touch with your ISP's tech support team and provide them with screenshots from Obkio Vision's Monitoring Sessions, Dashboards, or Traceroutes to show them exactly what's going on.
• Use Live Monitoring mode to get real-time updates and share Live Traceroute results with your ISP by giving them a public link. It's like sharing your favorite cat video, but with a much more important purpose!
• If your ISP needs more data to investigate further, you can create a temporary Read-Only User account in your Obkio account so they can access everything they need.

If the issue is within your own network, don't worry, we've got you covered:

• If you're experiencing CPU or bandwidth issues, consider upgrading your Internet connection bandwidth with your ISP to ensure you have all the resources you need.
• Check your network devices for outdated firmware, software issues, or limited resources that may be causing high CPU usage. In some cases, you might need to upgrade to a larger device to fix the problem.
• Check your firewall logs to make sure your network traffic is legit. Large data backups during business hours or unauthorized access could be causing issues.

Prioritize your traffic in your firewall to make sure critical applications get the bandwidth they need. This will ensure your business-critical applications are always running smoothly.

Great job, tech heroes! Are you ready to conquer the challenges of the network world? Don't let your network turn into a tangled mess - keep it under control with the right monitoring strategies.

Stay ahead of the game with a proactive attitude, continuous network monitoring, and the readiness to tackle any issues that come your way.

With the superpowers of SD-WAN monitoring, your business can soar to new heights.

So let's charge ahead, warriors of the network, and emerge victorious with the optimal performance of your Fortigate network.