Firmware Upgrade Path from 7.0.5 to 7.2.0
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?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often assume a direct upgrade is possible because both versions are relatively recent, but Fortinet strictly enforces sequential major version upgrades to prevent configuration and system incompatibilities.
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 6.2, then 6.4, then 7.0, then 7.2
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.
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 6.4 first, then to 7.2
Why it's wrong here
Attempting to go from 6.0 straight to 6.4 skips the mandatory 6.2 step, which is a required intermediate release in Fortinet's upgrade matrix. Additionally, even after reaching 6.4, jumping directly to 7.2 is not supported because 7.0 contains necessary conversion logic for object and policy changes. This path omits two requisite firmware versions, so it violates Fortinet's sequential upgrade policy and will be rejected by the firmware upgrade checker.
- ✗
It is not possible to upgrade from 6.0 to 7.2
Why it's wrong here
Fortinet explicitly supports upgrading from FortiOS 6.0 to 7.2, but only via a predefined multi-hop path, so claiming it is impossible is factually incorrect. The upgrade is certainly feasible if you follow the documented sequence: first to 6.2, then 6.4, then 7.0, and finally 7.2. The impossibility arises only when you try to skip the required intermediate versions, not from the starting and ending versions themselves.
- ✗
Direct upgrade from 6.0.10 to 7.2.0 is supported
Why it's wrong here
Fortinet does not permit direct upgrades that cross more than one major version; a jump from 6.0.10 to 7.2.0 spans four major releases and is therefore unsupported. The FortiGate firmware image format and configuration schema evolve dramatically between these releases, so intermediate upgrades are mandatory to convert settings and indexes properly. Attempting a direct upgrade would result in an error message that lists the required upgrade path.
- ✓
Upgrade to 6.2, then 6.4, then 7.0, then 7.2
Why this is correct
This sequence—6.0 → 6.2 → 6.4 → 7.0 → 7.2—is exactly the path generated by Fortinet's Upgrade Path tool for FortiOS 6.0 to 7.2. Each intermediate release handles the necessary database migrations and feature changes that cannot be applied in a single jump, ensuring the firewall's configuration, session state, and security policies are preserved. Following this ordered progression avoids the risk of 'upgrade failed' errors and provides the only officially supported route to 7.2.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
This NSE4 question is part of Courseiva's 773-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more way 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 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.