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.
An administrator needs to back up the full configuration of a FortiGate, including all system settings, policies, and objects. Which CLI command should be used?
diagnose debug config-error-log read
Why wrong: This shows error logs, not configuration backup.
execute backup config tftp <filename> <server>
This backs up the configuration to a TFTP server.
show full-configuration
Why wrong: This displays configuration but does not save to a file.
execute restore config tftp <filename> <server>
Why wrong: This restores, not backs up.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
execute backup config tftp <filename> <server>
The correct command is 'execute backup config tftp <filename> <server>' because it explicitly triggers a full configuration backup (including system settings, policies, and objects) to a TFTP server. This is the standard FortiGate CLI command for exporting the entire running configuration to an external TFTP server, ensuring all configuration elements are captured.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
diagnose debug config-error-log read
Why it's wrong here
This shows error logs, not configuration backup.
execute backup config tftp <filename> <server>
Why this is correct
This backs up the configuration to a TFTP server.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
show full-configuration
Why it's wrong here
This displays configuration but does not save to a file.
execute restore config tftp <filename> <server>
Why it's wrong here
This restores, not backs up.
Common exam traps
The trap here is confusing the 'backup' and 'restore' commands (options B and D) or mistaking a display-only command like 'show full-configuration' for an actual backup operation.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This shows error logs, not configuration backup.
Detailed technical explanation
The 'execute backup config' command uses TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol, UDP port 69) to transfer the configuration file, which is a plain-text file containing all FortiGate settings in CLI format. In real-world scenarios, administrators often combine this with scheduled scripts or automation to ensure regular off-device backups, as TFTP lacks encryption and should be used in trusted networks.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
System and Network Administration — This question tests System and Network Administration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: execute backup config tftp <filename> <server> — The correct command is 'execute backup config tftp <filename> <server>' because it explicitly triggers a full configuration backup (including system settings, policies, and objects) to a TFTP server. This is the standard FortiGate CLI command for exporting the entire running configuration to an external TFTP server, ensuring all configuration elements are captured.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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