What does the 'FortiOS' operating system manage?

The FortiOS operating system is integral to the functionality of FortiGate devices, as it manages both the security and networking functions essential for establishing and maintaining secure network environments. This operating system is designed specifically to provide advanced security features such as firewall capabilities, intrusion prevention, VPN support, and secure web filtering, along with networking functionalities like routing, switching, and IP address management.

By effectively managing these aspects, FortiOS ensures that FortiGate devices can protect network integrity while facilitating efficient communication across the network. This robust combination of security and networking capabilities makes FortiOS a critical component of FortiGate's architecture, enabling comprehensive threat management and network performance optimization.

Other choices misplace the primary focus of FortiOS. For instance, while it does interact with the hardware components, the management of those components is not its primary function. The graphical user interface is indeed a part of FortiOS but is merely an interface for configuration and monitoring rather than a core management function. Similarly, while data storage solutions may be part of the overall system architecture, they are not the main responsibility of FortiOS itself.