FCSS_SDW_AR-7.6 Fortinet FCSS - SD-WAN 7.6 Architect Free Practice Exam Questions (2026 Updated)

In FortiOS 7.6, local-out traffic is traffic generated by the FortiGate itself, such as ping, traceroute, FortiGuard updates, DNS, NTP, and SNMP. Local-out traffic does not traverse the firewall policy engine and therefore behaves differently from forwarded traffic in SD-WAN.

According to the FCSS SD-WAN 7.6 curriculum and Fortinet SD-WAN architecture documentation, local-out traffic does not use SD-WAN by default. Instead, it follows the routing table (static and dynamic routes). To allow local-out traffic to be evaluated by SD-WAN rules, the administrator must explicitly enable local-out SD-WAN processing.

The curriculum also states that only SD-WAN rules using the manual strategy are supported for local-out traffic. SLA-based, application-based, and dynamic strategies are not evaluated for traffic generated by the FortiGate itself. This is a fundamental architectural limitation of SD-WAN in FortiOS 7.6.

Option B is incorrect because FortiGate does not automatically apply SD-WAN rules to ping or traceroute traffic by default. Even these tools follow the routing table unless local-out SD-WAN is enabled.

Option D is incorrect because local-out SD-WAN configuration is global. Individual local-out features do not require separate SD-WAN enablement.

In an SD-WAN rule, you can steer application traffic by using Internet Service Database (ISDB) entries. Facebook and LinkedIn are predefined ISDB objects in FortiGate, so the correct way is to select them in the Internet service field under Destination. This ensures that all traffic to these applications is matched and routed through the chosen (less costly) link.

FortiManager enforces a strict distinction:

"Firewall policies must reference SD-WAN zones, not individual SD-WAN members, when used in conjunction with SD-WAN templates. Attempting to install a policy that references a specific member (interface) will result in a deployment error, as member-level targeting is not supported in SD-WAN policy abstraction. This enforces centralized policy consistency and proper SD-WAN operation."

Ensuring policies target zones allows FortiGate to dynamically select the optimal member.

After using the SD-WAN overlay template, two mandatory post-run tasks remain:

"First, administrators must create and assign policy packages to branch devices, as security and access policies are not included in overlay templates. Second, SD-WAN rules must be configured so that traffic can be matched and steered appropriately through the established overlays. Neglecting either task results in ungoverned traffic or inefficient routing, undermining the benefits of SD-WAN."

Templates automate topology, but policy and rule definition are critical for operational effectiveness.

When planning to deploy a large number of branches (e.g., 50), Fortinet recommends several preparatory steps to simplify and automate the rollout. Creating model devices allows you to predefine configurations and settings that can be cloned or adapted for each branch, saving time and minimizing manual errors. Preparing a Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) template enables automatic onboarding and provisioning of new FortiGates as soon as they come online, reducing manual intervention. Lastly, creating a policy blueprint allows for standardized policy deployment across all branches, ensuring consistent security and SD-WAN rule enforcement. This holistic approach streamlines the deployment process, allows for rapid scaling, and ensures that all devices are configured according to corporate policy from day one.

Hosting the hub at the MSSP centralizes installation, security, and ongoing management while each site (spoke) keeps local DIA. This can be done multi-tenant with a shared hub using a dedicated VDOM or with a fully dedicated hub per customer for stricter isolation and control, both meeting the requirement to delegate administration to the MSSP and support high inter-site traffic.