Firmware Upgrade Path from 7.0.5 to 7.2.0
A FortiGate administrator needs to upgrade the firmware from 7.0.5 to 7.2.0. The current firmware is 7.0.5. What is the recommended upgrade path?
Quick Answer
The recommended upgrade path from FortiGate firmware 7.0.5 to 7.2.0 is to first upgrade to 7.0.6, then to 7.2.0. This is required because Fortinet enforces a strict sequential upgrade policy to ensure configuration compatibility and system stability; skipping intermediate releases, especially across major version branches, can corrupt the configuration database or cause the upgrade to fail entirely. On the Fortinet NSE 4 Network Security Professional exam, this concept tests your understanding of the FortiGate firmware upgrade path and the importance of checking the Fortinet Upgrade Path Tool before any migration. A common trap is assuming you can jump directly from 7.0.5 to 7.2.0, but the exam emphasizes that you must always go to the latest patch of your current major version first. A helpful memory tip is “patch before you leap”—always install the highest patch in your current branch before moving to the next major release.
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often assume any direct upgrade between consecutive major versions is allowed, but Fortinet enforces a strict path that requires upgrading to the latest patch of the current major branch first.
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
✓
Upgrade to 7.0.6 first, then to 7.2.0
Fortinet firmware upgrades must follow a supported upgrade path to avoid configuration incompatibility or system instability. The recommended path from 7.0.5 to 7.2.0 is to first upgrade to the latest 7.0.x release (7.0.6) and then to 7.2.0, as direct jumps across major versions (e.g., 7.0.x to 7.2.0) are not supported and may cause upgrade failures or data loss.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Upgrade to 7.0.6 first, then to 7.2.0
Why this is correct
First upgrade to the latest 7.0.x, then to 7.2.0.
- ✗
Upgrade to 7.2.0 directly after downgrading to 7.0.0
Why it's wrong here
Downgrading is unnecessary and not supported for upgrades.
- ✗
Upgrade to 7.4.0 first, then downgrade to 7.2.0
Why it's wrong here
Skipping to a newer version than target is not recommended.
- ✗
Upgrade directly from 7.0.5 to 7.2.0
Why it's wrong here
Direct upgrade across major versions is not supported; must go through intermediate versions.
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Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on NSE4
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. An administrator plans to upgrade FortiGate firmware from version 6.0 to 7.2. The current version is 6.0.10. Which upgrade path is correct?
hard- A.Upgrade to 6.4 first, then to 7.2
- B.It is not possible to upgrade from 6.0 to 7.2
- C.Direct upgrade from 6.0.10 to 7.2.0 is supported
- ✓ D.Upgrade to 6.2, then 6.4, then 7.0, then 7.2
Why D: FortiGate firmware upgrades must follow a supported path that does not skip major versions. Upgrading from 6.0.10 to 7.2.0 requires stepping through 6.2, 6.4, and 7.0 because Fortinet only supports upgrades from one major version to the next major version (e.g., 6.0→6.2→6.4→7.0→7.2). Option D correctly lists this sequential path.
Variation 2. An administrator needs to upgrade the firmware on a FortiGate from version 6.4.10 to 7.0.1. The device currently runs FortiOS 6.4.10. Which upgrade path should be followed?
medium- A.Downgrade to 6.2.0 then upgrade to 7.0.1
- ✓ B.Upgrade to 7.0.0 first, then to 7.0.1
- C.Upgrade directly from 6.4.10 to 7.0.1 via the GUI
- D.Upgrade to 6.4.99 (if exists) then to 7.0.1
Why B: Fortinet requires a sequential upgrade path for major version jumps. FortiOS 6.4.10 can upgrade directly to 7.0.0, and then to 7.0.1, because 7.0.0 is the first release in the 7.0 branch. Upgrading directly from 6.4.10 to 7.0.1 is not supported as it skips the required intermediate version.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.