Quick Answer
The answer is to authorize the device in FortiManager and add it via the Device Manager. These two steps are required because adding the device through the Device Manager creates the device entry within the ADOM, while authorization establishes the encrypted management tunnel and enables configuration synchronization. Without authorization, the FortiGate remains in a pending state and cannot be centrally managed, which is a critical distinction on the Fortinet NSE 7 Advanced Security NSE7 exam. This question tests your understanding of the device lifecycle in FortiManager, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly think importing a policy package or creating a firewall rule is part of the process. Remember the key sequence: add first to define the device, then authorize to activate management. A simple memory tip is "Add to list, authorize to kiss"—the device must be both listed and trusted before FortiManager will push or pull configurations.
This NSE7 practice question tests your understanding of enterprise firewall and vdoms. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 new FortiGate in FortiManager for centralized management. Which TWO steps are required to add the device to an ADOM?
Create a policy package before adding the device
Why wrong: Policy packages can be created later.
Configure a VDOM link on the FortiGate
Why wrong: Not required for adding to ADOM.
Add the device to the ADOM using the device manager
Devices are added to an ADOM for management.
Enable automation stitches on the FortiGate
Why wrong: Not required.
Authorize the device in FortiManager
Authorization is needed to establish secure communication.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Add the device to the ADOM using the device manager
Option C is correct because the Device Manager in FortiManager is the interface used to add a device to an ADOM. After adding the device, it must be authorized (Option E) to establish a management tunnel and allow configuration synchronization. Without authorization, the device remains in a pending state and cannot be managed.
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.
Create a policy package before adding the device
Why it's wrong here
Policy packages can be created later.
Configure a VDOM link on the FortiGate
Why it's wrong here
Not required for adding to ADOM.
Add the device to the ADOM using the device manager
Why this is correct
Devices are added to an ADOM for management.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Enable automation stitches on the FortiGate
Why it's wrong here
Not required.
Authorize the device in FortiManager
Why this is correct
Authorization is needed to establish secure communication.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the device authorization step with initial configuration steps like creating policy packages or VDOM links, but FortiManager requires explicit authorization after adding the device to enable centralized management.
Detailed technical explanation
When a FortiGate is added to an ADOM via Device Manager, FortiManager generates a unique serial number-based entry and waits for the FortiGate to initiate an FGFM (FortiGate-to-FortiManager) tunnel using TCP/541. Authorization completes the registration, allowing FortiManager to push ADOM-level policies and objects. In multi-tenant environments, failing to authorize the device leaves it unmanaged, which can cause configuration drift and security gaps.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
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FAQ
Enterprise Firewall and VDOMs — This question tests Enterprise Firewall and VDOMs — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Add the device to the ADOM using the device manager — Option C is correct because the Device Manager in FortiManager is the interface used to add a device to an ADOM. After adding the device, it must be authorized (Option E) to establish a management tunnel and allow configuration synchronization. Without authorization, the device remains in a pending state and cannot be managed.
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.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
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 FortiGate administrator needs to manage multiple FortiGate devices centrally. They want to deploy policy packages from FortiManager to specific VDOMs on each device. Which FortiManager object must be configured first?
mediumWhy D: The Administrative Domain (ADOM) is the top-level container in FortiManager that defines the management boundary for a set of FortiGate devices and their VDOMs. Before you can create or assign policy packages to specific VDOMs on managed devices, you must first configure the ADOM to enable multi-tenancy and VDOM-level management. Without an ADOM, FortiManager cannot isolate or target individual VDOMs for policy deployment.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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