Question 720 of 282
Configuring HTTPS and SSH Administrative Access from a Trusted Subnet
An administrator wants to allow only HTTPS and SSH administrative access to the FortiGate from a specific management subnet 192.168.100.0/24. Which TWO steps must be taken on the FortiGate?
Quick Answer
The answer is to configure the interface allowaccess setting to HTTPS and SSH, and then define the trusted host on the administrator account as 192.168.100.0/24. This is correct because the interface-level allowaccess command controls which management protocols are enabled on that port, while the trusted host setting on the administrator account acts as a source IP filter, restricting logins to only those originating from the specified subnet. On the Fortinet NSE 4 Network Security Professional NSE4 exam, this question tests your understanding of the layered security model for administrative access—a common trap is to think that setting the trusted host alone is sufficient, but the interface must also explicitly permit the protocols. Remember the two-step rule: “Interface allows the protocol, account restricts the source.” A helpful memory tip is to think of the interface as the door (it must be unlocked for HTTPS/SSH) and the trusted host as the bouncer (only letting in IPs from 192.168.100.0/24).
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse firewall policies (which control forwarded traffic) with local-in policies or interface allowaccess settings (which control traffic destined to the FortiGate itself), leading them to incorrectly select option D.
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
✓
Set the trusted host(s) on the administrator account to 192.168.100.0/24
Setting the trusted host(s) on an administrator account restricts administrative logins to only those originating from the specified subnet (192.168.100.0/24). This is a per-account access control that works in conjunction with interface-level allowaccess settings to enforce administrative source IP restrictions.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Set the trusted host(s) on the administrator account to 192.168.100.0/24
Why this is correct
This restricts which IPs can access the FortiGate via those protocols.
- ✗
Create a local-in policy to allow traffic from 192.168.100.0/24
Why it's wrong here
Local-in policies are for advanced traffic control, not typically used for basic management access restriction.
- ✗
Enable HTTPS and SSH globally under system global
Why it's wrong here
Global settings enable the protocols system-wide but do not restrict to specific interfaces.
- ✗
Configure a firewall policy to permit HTTPS and SSH from the management subnet to the FortiGate
Why it's wrong here
Management access is controlled by the interface allowaccess setting, not by firewall policies.
- ✓
On the interface, set allowaccess to https and ssh
Why this is correct
This enables those protocols on the interface.
Visual reference
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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. A network administrator needs to configure a FortiGate to allow HTTPS access to the GUI from the internal network. Which two steps must be performed?
easy- ✓ A.Create a firewall policy that permits HTTPS traffic from internal to the FortiGate interface IP.
- ✓ B.Enable HTTPS administrative access on the internal interface.
- C.Disable HTTP administrative access on the internal interface.
- D.Enable SSH administrative access on the internal interface.
Why A: To allow HTTPS access to the GUI from the internal network, two actions are required. First, a firewall policy must be created to permit HTTPS traffic (TCP/443) from the internal network to the FortiGate's interface IP. This can be done via CLI with 'config firewall policy' or through the GUI. Second, HTTPS administrative access must be enabled on the internal interface. This is configured either via CLI with 'config system interface' and 'set allowaccess https' or by checking 'HTTPS' under Administrative Access in the GUI. Without both steps, GUI access will fail.
Variation 2. An administrator is configuring a new FortiGate and wants to allow management access from the internal network via HTTPS. The internal interface is port2 with IP 192.168.1.1/24. Which CLI command correctly enables HTTPS administrative access on port2?
medium- A.config firewall policy edit 1 set allowaccess https end
- ✓ B.config system interface edit port2 set allowaccess https end
- C.config system admin edit admin set https enable end
- D.config system global set admin-https enable end
Why B: The `config system interface` command is the proper context to set the `allowaccess` parameter, which controls the administrative protocols (such as HTTPS) permitted on a specific FortiGate interface. By editing port2 and setting `allowaccess https`, the administrator enables HTTPS management access on that interface, allowing internal users to reach the FortiGate's web GUI via 192.168.1.1.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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