Sangfor NGAF upgrade

I will upgrade my sangfor NGAF MF-5100 to NSF-3100A-I. What we need to do so NSF-3100A-I can run smoothly like old firewall and how to minimalize the down down whille migration?

Hello Yuniar, You can check the guides for the upgrade through the following link.
https://community.sangfor.com/pl ... &fid=10#/58/all

Hi,

Like all migrations from one device to another, in this case that is from the same vendor, it will be easier. But you will need to check all your current configuration. Review the configuration of your MF-5100 firewall (rules, policies, VPN setups, NAT, etc.) and make a detailed backup. You will need to replicate these settings on the new device.

Ensure that the NSF-3100A-I supports the same features and configurations. If there are any new features or differences in functionality, plan accordingly for adjustment.

Make sure that the new NSF-3100A-I is properly sized for your network's throughput and number of users. Also, ensure that all required network interfaces are available.

For the configuration migration, i recomend that you test all configurations before putting the new device in production.

Start by creating a configuration plan for the NSF-3100A-I firewall based on the settings of the MF-5100 firewall. Make sure to configure: Network interfaces; Firewall rules;  VPN settings (IPsec, SSL, etc.); Security policies; NAT and routing; and any custom application signatures or user-based rules

From my experience the key points to minimize downtime are :

1. Test thoroughly before fully switching to the NSF-3100A-I.
2. Use parallel migration, ensuring that both firewalls can work together during the transition phase.
3. Plan a backup and rollback strategy in case you need to revert to the old firewall quickly.
4. Monitor performance and security during and after migration to detect issues early.

There are a lot of other things that you should care about, but every case are a diferent case. Hope you run the migration without any issue, and remember to allways to have an backup plan to rollback,

Thanks.

Upgrading your Sangfor NGAF MF-5100 to NSF-3100A-I is a significant step, and careful planning will ensure a smooth transition with minimal downtime. Here's a detailed guide:

Steps for a Smooth Migration:
Pre-Migration Preparation:

Backup Configurations: Export and securely store the current configurations of your MF-5100. This ensures you can restore settings if needed.

Assess Compatibility: Verify that the NSF-3100A-I supports all the features and policies currently in use on the MF-5100.

Firmware Updates: Ensure both devices are running the latest stable firmware versions to avoid compatibility issues.

Plan the Migration:

Create a Migration Plan: Document each step, including timelines, resource allocation, and rollback procedures.

Schedule Off-Peak Hours: Perform the migration during times of low network activity to minimize disruption.

Test in a Staging Environment: If possible, replicate your network setup in a test environment to validate the migration process.

Configuration and Deployment:

Initial Setup: Use the web management interface of the NSF-3100A-I to perform the initial configuration. Follow the setup wizard for basic settings.

Import Configurations: Import the backed-up configurations from the MF-5100, adjusting for any differences in features or interfaces.

Policy Verification: Review and test all security policies, NAT rules, and VPN settings to ensure they function as expected.

Testing and Validation:

Connectivity Tests: Verify that all network connections are operational.

Performance Monitoring: Monitor the firewall's performance to ensure it meets your network's requirements.

User Feedback: Gather feedback from users to identify any issues.

Post-Migration Optimization:

Enable Advanced Features: Take advantage of the NSF-3100A-I's enhanced capabilities, such as AI-powered threat detection and IoT security.

Regular Updates: Schedule periodic firmware updates and policy reviews to maintain optimal performance.

Tips to Minimize Downtime:
Redundancy: Use a secondary firewall or failover mechanism to maintain network availability during the migration.

Incremental Migration: Migrate in phases, starting with non-critical systems, to identify and resolve issues early.

Communication: Inform stakeholders about the migration schedule and potential impacts.

Like all migrations from one device to another, in this case that is from the same vendor, it will be easier. But you will need to check all your current configuration. Review the configuration of your MF-5100 firewall (rules, policies, VPN setups, NAT, etc.) and make a detailed backup. You will need to replicate these settings on the new device.

Ensure that the NSF-3100A-I supports the same features and configurations. If there are any new features or differences in functionality, plan accordingly for adjustment.

Make sure that the new NSF-3100A-I is properly sized for your network's throughput and number of users. Also, ensure that all required network interfaces are available.

For the configuration migration, i recomend that you test all configurations before putting the new device in production.

Start by creating a configuration plan for the NSF-3100A-I firewall based on the settings of the MF-5100 firewall. Make sure to configure: Network interfaces; Firewall rules;  VPN settings (IPsec, SSL, etc.); Security policies; NAT and routing; and any custom application signatures or user-based rules

From my experience the key points to minimize downtime are :

1. Test thoroughly before fully switching to the NSF-3100A-I.
2. Use parallel migration, ensuring that both firewalls can work together during the transition phase.
3. Plan a backup and rollback strategy in case you need to revert to the old firewall quickly.
4. Monitor performance and security during and after migration to detect issues early.

There are a lot of other things that you should care about, but every case are a diferent case. Hope you run the migration without any issue, and remember to allways to have an backup plan to rollback,

Thanks.