Which type of FortiGate log would you examine to troubleshoot traffic issues?

To effectively troubleshoot traffic issues on a FortiGate device, examining traffic logs is essential. Traffic logs provide detailed information about the flow of network traffic through the FortiGate firewall. They capture specifics such as source and destination IP addresses, ports, protocols, and the action taken (allowed or blocked) by the firewall. By analyzing these logs, you can identify patterns, find out which traffic is being permitted or denied, and uncover any anomalies or issues affecting connectivity.

Traffic logs help diagnose problems related to connectivity, such as whether packets are dropped, whether traffic is being redirected properly, and if performance issues are linked to particular types of traffic. This detailed granularity allows network administrators to pinpoint the nature and source of traffic-related problems effectively.

In contrast, event logs capture significant occurrences within the system, such as configuration changes or device status notifications, which may not directly relate to specific traffic issues. Security logs focus primarily on security-related incidents, such as attacks or policy violations, while system logs provide information about the operation of the FortiGate unit itself, including hardware and software events. Therefore, while all types of logs serve important functions, traffic logs are specifically tailored for diagnosing and resolving issues directly associated with network traffic.