- A
When restoring a configuration to a different FortiGate model, the interface names may cause the restore to fail.
Interface names differ between models; restoring a configuration with mismatched interface names will fail.
- B
The encrypted backup can only be restored on a FortiGate running the same firmware version.
Why wrong: Encrypted backups are not version-specific; they can be restored on the same model regardless of firmware minor version.
- C
It is not possible to restore only a specific section of the configuration (e.g., only firewall policies).
Why wrong: FortiGate allows partial restore using the 'execute restore config' command with options like 'policy' or 'system'.
- D
The backup file is encrypted by default to protect sensitive information.
Why wrong: Backup files are not encrypted by default; encryption must be explicitly enabled during backup.
- E
The backup file contains all system settings, including firmware version information.
The full backup includes the entire configuration, including system settings.
NSE4 System and Network Administration Practice Question
This NSE4 practice question tests your understanding of system and network administration. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A FortiGate administrator needs to configure a backup and restore strategy for the FortiGate configuration. Which TWO statements are correct regarding configuration backup and restore?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
When restoring a configuration to a different FortiGate model, the interface names may cause the restore to fail.
Option A is correct because FortiGate configurations include interface-specific names (e.g., port1, port2, wan1) that may not exist on a different model. If the target FortiGate lacks those exact interface names, the restore process will fail due to mismatched interface references, preventing the configuration from being applied.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
When restoring a configuration to a different FortiGate model, the interface names may cause the restore to fail.
Why this is correct
Interface names differ between models; restoring a configuration with mismatched interface names will fail.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The encrypted backup can only be restored on a FortiGate running the same firmware version.
Why it's wrong here
Encrypted backups are not version-specific; they can be restored on the same model regardless of firmware minor version.
- ✗
It is not possible to restore only a specific section of the configuration (e.g., only firewall policies).
Why it's wrong here
FortiGate allows partial restore using the 'execute restore config' command with options like 'policy' or 'system'.
- ✗
The backup file is encrypted by default to protect sensitive information.
Why it's wrong here
Backup files are not encrypted by default; encryption must be explicitly enabled during backup.
- ✓
The backup file contains all system settings, including firmware version information.
Why this is correct
The full backup includes the entire configuration, including system settings.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume encrypted backups are firmware-version locked (Option B) or that partial restore is impossible (Option C), when in fact FortiGate supports both cross-version encrypted restores and partial configuration restoration.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
FortiGate allows partial restore using the 'execute restore config' command with options like 'policy' or 'system'.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, a FortiGate configuration backup is an XML file containing all system settings, including interface names, firewall policies, and firmware version metadata. When restoring to a different model, the restore process validates interface names against the target hardware; if names differ, the restore aborts to prevent misconfiguration. The 'execute restore config' command can be used with the 'partial' keyword to restore only specific sections, such as 'firewall policy' or 'system interface', which is useful for merging configurations without overwriting unrelated settings.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the NSE4 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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System and Network Administration — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this NSE4 question test?
System and Network Administration — This question tests System and Network Administration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: When restoring a configuration to a different FortiGate model, the interface names may cause the restore to fail. — Option A is correct because FortiGate configurations include interface-specific names (e.g., port1, port2, wan1) that may not exist on a different model. If the target FortiGate lacks those exact interface names, the restore process will fail due to mismatched interface references, preventing the configuration from being applied.
What should I do if I get this NSE4 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This NSE4 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Fortinet certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the NSE4 exam.
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