In transparent mode, the forward-domain is a CLI setting associated with which component?

In transparent mode, the forward-domain is indeed a CLI setting associated with an interface. This setting determines how the FortiGate device handles traffic at Layer 2, specifically concerning which interfaces are part of the same forwarding domain. When the device operates in transparent mode, it works like a bridge, passing traffic between interfaces while maintaining the original MAC addresses.

The forward-domain setting specifies the logical grouping of interfaces that can communicate with each other through the FortiGate. Interfaces within the same forward-domain can forward traffic to each other seamlessly, which is crucial for managing traffic in a network where Layer 3 routing is not performed, and only Layer 2 bridging occurs.

This enhances the device’s ability to manage traffic without altering the original Layer 2 addressing, which is essential in a transparent deployment because it allows the FortiGate to analyze and enforce security policies without interfering with the underlying network structure. Understanding the role of interfaces and the forward-domain in this context is vital for anyone configuring or managing a FortiGate operating in transparent mode.