Your team is deploying a single FortiGate and a single FortiSwitch across 100 branch offices. The goal is to expedite deployment while avoiding…

For deploying a large number of FortiGate and FortiSwitch devices across multiple branch offices, FortiManager is the ideal centralized management platform. It supports Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP), a method designed specifically for this scenario. With ZTP, devices with factory default settings can be shipped directly to the branch office. Once connected to the internet, they automatically contact FortiGate Cloud, which redirects them to the pre-configured FortiManager instance. FortiManager then pushes the appropriate configuration templates, achieving rapid, consistent, and error-free deployment without requiring a skilled technician on-site.

A. FortiEdge is a specific Fortinet SASE solution, not a general deployment method. The standard tool for centrally managing customer-owned hardware is FortiManager or FortiGate Cloud.

B. "Model-as-a-Service (MaaS)" is not a standard Fortinet term for device provisioning. This option uses generic, incorrect terminology for the Fortinet ecosystem.

D. FortiSwitch Manager is a feature within FortiManager used for managing switches. It is not a standalone service that devices engage directly for initial configuration retrieval in a ZTP scenario.

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1. FortiManager Administration Guide 7.6 | Zero-touch provisioning for FortiGate devices: "Zero-touch provisioning (ZTP) for FortiGate devices allows you to deploy FortiGate devices to a remote location without having a technician present to provision the device. A FortiGate device with a factory default configuration is deployed to a remote location. When the device is powered on and connected to the internet, it automatically connects to FortiGate Cloud. FortiGate Cloud redirects the device to FortiManager for management and provisioning." (Section: Zero-touch provisioning for FortiGate devices)

2. Fortinet SD-Branch Deployment Guide | Zero Touch Provisioning: "FortiManager provides zero-touch deployment and provisioning for the SD-Branch components. This allows for the deployment of a large number of branch offices quickly and easily without the need for IT staff to be on-site." (This concept is central to SD-Branch architecture, which involves FortiGate and FortiSwitch).

3. FortiManager Administration Guide 7.6 | FortiSwitch Manager: "You can use the FortiSwitch Manager pane to centrally manage FortiSwitch devices. FortiSwitch devices are managed through a FortiGate device, using the FortiLink protocol." (This confirms that FortiManager is the platform used to manage both FortiGate and the connected FortiSwitches, making it the central point for the entire branch deployment).