Which statements accurately describe transparent mode operation? (Choose three.)

The choice indicating that the FortiGate acts as a transparent bridge and forwards traffic at Layer-2 accurately captures the essence of how transparent mode operates. In this mode, the FortiGate unit functions similarly to a bridge, meaning it does not perform any Layer-3 routing or assign IP addresses to its interfaces. Instead, it operates purely at Layer-2, forwarding Ethernet frames based on MAC addresses.

Additionally, the statement about Ethernet packets being forwarded based on destination MAC addresses rather than IP addresses further emphasizes how operations in transparent mode relate strictly to Layer-2 functionality. The FortiGate processes traffic by reading the MAC addresses to make forwarding decisions, which is fundamental to its role in this mode of operation.

Another key characteristic of transparent mode is that it allows for inline traffic inspection and firewalling without necessitating any changes to the existing IP addressing scheme of the network. By selectively inspecting and filtering traffic at Layer-2, the FortiGate can secure the network while maintaining the original IP structure, which is particularly advantageous for deployments where minimal disruption is desired.

In contrast, while the statement regarding visibility in an IP trace route may seem plausible, a transparent mode FortiGate is typically not visible in such routes because it does not participate in Layer-