WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Certification
Career in a mainstream old school job has lost its charm nowadays. The alternative education field has created a lot of buzz around itself. And with the massive rise in technology, everything is available online. Certification courses have garnered a lot of attention. They have become a top priority for professionals to polish their skills and climb up their career ladder.
The WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Certification Exam helps you demonstrate your skills and validate your experience. This exam is definitely your way ahead. But the preparations are tough and the exam itself is quite difficult. You are lucky today as here we present you our tutorials and preparatory guide to crack the exam and pass with flying colours.
What is WatchGuard Fireware Essentials
The Fireware Essentials exam tests your knowledge of how to configure, manage, and monitor a WatchGuard Firebox. This exam is appropriate for network administrators who have experience configuring and managing Firebox devices that run Fireware v12.2.1.
The key concepts : WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Certification
To successfully complete the exam you need to have an understanding of the following key concepts.
Fireware Knowledge
- Firebox and XTM device activation and initial setup
- Network configuration
- Policy and proxy configuration
- Subscription services configuration
- User Authentication n Device monitoring, logging, and reporting
- Branch office and mobile VPN configuration
General IT Knowledge
- IPv4 networking concepts (DNS, TCP/IP, DHCP, NAT, static routing)
- General understanding of firewalls
Exam Details: WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Certification
Before commencing on your preparation voyage it’s better to have the knowledge about the basic exam details. Let’s discuss the exam details
Types of Questions
There are a variety of types in which the questions are asked for the WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Certification Exam. The major categories are-
- Firstly, Multiple Choice
- Secondly, Multiple Selection
- Then, True or False
- Also, Matching Questions
Prerequisites: WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Certification
WatchGuard does not specify any prerequisite for the exam. Although, its recommended to complete the Fireware Essentials instructor-led course for better performance in the exam.
Test environment
This exam is a proctored one. There are two options for the test environment. You can choose either of them, whichever suits you the best. The testing options are:
- Kryterion testing center
- Online, with virtual proctoring through an approved webcam
Registering for the WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Certification
You can register for the exam using the WatchGuard Portal that is for customers or the Learning Center for Partners. Or you can register for exams using the WatchGuard Exam Registration Site. The exams are scheduled on the basis of the time zone associated with the address used when your exam account is created. However, WatchGuard offers exam testing at local Kryterion proctored test centers around the world or with an approved webcam, through Kryterion’s online proctored services (OLP). After creating the account, you can schedule or reschedule the exam directly with Kryterion for a time, location, and delivery method that is convenient for you. The steps include:
- Create a Kryterion account.
- Then, Log in to your account.
- After that, click on Schedule an Exam.
Exam Retake Policy
If you’re unable to clear the exam in the very first attempt then WatchGuard offers you another chance to clear it. The retake fee is $100 USD for the first retake. If you’re unable to clear the exam in the first retake you can give a second retake by paying a fee of $200 USD.
Exam Rescheduling or Cancellation
The WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Certification Exam can be rescheduled or cancelled depending on the exam you have opted for.
- Online Proctored Exams: Up to the start time of the exam, without any additional cost
- Exams at Kryterion Test Center: At least 72 hours before the exam start time. Otherwise, additional fees will be incurred.
Exam Results
You will get your exam results right after you complete the exam, on the screen. The result will also be emailed to you. On passing the exam the email message sent to you will also include a date-stamped certificate for your records.
Certification Validity
The WatchGuard certifications are valid for a period of two years from the issuing date.
Check out the WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Interview Questions to prepare for the interview.
Exam FAQ: WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Certification
To have a better understanding of the exam policies and clarify your doubts visit the WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Certificate FAQs
Course Outline: WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Certification
The WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Certification Exam covers the following 7 domains. Further each domain is further divided into subtopics to provide you a better understanding of the exam topics. Additionally, the percentage against each domain signifies its weightage in the exam. Higher the percentage, more the number of questions from that particular domain.
Device Administration- 20%
- Configure and install a Firebox or XTM device with the default security settings (WatchGuard Documentation: Prepare to Install Your Firebox)
- Connect to Fireware XTM Web UI Edit a device configuration in Policy Manager (WatchGuard Documentation: Connect to Fireware Web UI)
- Install a feature key (WatchGuard Documentation: Manually Add or Remove a Feature Key)
- Upgrade and downgrade Fireware XTM OS (WatchGuard Documentation: Downgrade Fireware OS)
- Create a device backup image (WatchGuard Documentation: Save a Firebox Backup Image)
- Enable remote administration (WatchGuard Documentation: Administer Your Firebox From a Remote Location)
- Configure role-based administration (WatchGuard Documentation: Role-Based Administration)
- Understand the default threat protection features of Fireware (WatchGuard Documentation: Default Threat Protection)
Authentication- 5%
- Configure Firebox authentication for users and groups (WatchGuard Documentation: Firewall Authentication)
- Configure user authentication with a third-party authentication server (WatchGuard Documentation: About Third-Party Authentication Servers)
Device Monitoring, Logging, and Reporting-15%
- Use WatchGuard System Manager and Firebox System Manager to monitor a device (WatchGuard Documentation: Connect to a Device with WatchGuard System Manager)
- Use Dimension to monitor a device (WatchGuard Documentation: Configure and Monitor the Dimension Database)
- Run diagnostic tasks in Firebox System Manager (WatchGuard Documentation: Run Diagnostic Tasks on Your Firebox)
- Set up a WatchGuard Log Server (WatchGuard Documentation: Set Up Your Log Server)
- Enable logging to a Dimension Log Server or a WatchGuard Log Server (WatchGuard Documentation: About the WatchGuard Log Server)
- Review log messages generated by a Firebox or XTM device (WatchGuard Documentation: About Firebox Logging and Notification)
- Understand how to enable logging for reports (WatchGuard Documentation: Set Up Logging and Reporting for Your Network)
Networking and Network Address Translation (NAT) -15%
- Configure an external, trusted, optional, or custom interface (WatchGuard Documentation: Configure a Custom Interface)
- Configure secondary network on an interface (WatchGuard Documentation: Add a Secondary Network IP Address)
- Add a static route, and read the Route table (WatchGuard Documentation: Read the Firebox Route Tables)
- Configure WINS and DNS, and why this is important (WatchGuard Documentation: Configure Network DNS and WINS Servers)
- Understand when to use dynamic NAT, 1-to-1 NAT, static NAT, NAT loopback (WatchGuard Documentation: NAT Loopback and 1-to-1 NAT)
- Configure dynamic NAT, 1-to-1 NAT, and static NAT (WatchGuard Documentation: Configure Firewall 1-to-1 NAT)
Policies, Proxies, and Application Layer Gateways-15%
- Understand policy precedence (WatchGuard Documentation: About Policy Precedence)
- Understand the function of the default firewall policies (WatchGuard Documentation: Firebox Configuration)
- Understand the function of incoming and outgoing proxy actions (WatchGuard Documentation: Proxy Actions)
- Configure policies for different users and groups (WatchGuard Documentation: Manage Users and Groups)
- Configure Firebox authentication for users and groups (WatchGuard Documentation: Firewall Authentication)
- Configure a Firebox to use a third-party authentication server (WatchGuard Documentation: Configure Your Firebox as an Authentication Server)
Subscription Services- 15%
- Configure Application Control, WebBlocker, spamBlocker, Gateway AntiVirus, Intrusion Prevention Service, Data Loss Prevention, Reputation Enabled Defense, and APT Blocker (WatchGuard Documentation: Application Control Actions)
Virtual Private Networking-15%
- Understand the differences between the three branch office VPN types (WatchGuard Documentation: About Manual IPSec Branch Office VPNs)
- Configure a manual BOVPN between two Firebox or XTM devices (WatchGuard Documentation: Manual BOVPN Configuration)
- Use log messages to troubleshoot a branch office VPN tunnel (WatchGuard Documentation: VPN Tunnel)
- Understand the differences between the four mobile VPN types (WatchGuard Documentation: VPN Type)
- Configure Mobile VPN with IPSec and Mobile VPN with SSL (WatchGuard Documentation: Mobile VPN with SSL)
- Configure authentication for mobile VPN users (WatchGuard Documentation: Mobile VPN with IKEv2 User Authentication)
WatchGuard Documentations
For in depth understanding of the exam concepts you can refer the following documentations.
Preparatory Guide: WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Certification
The key to crack an exam is by preparing right. Preparations demand consistency and determination. We present you our specially curated preparatory guide to help you achieve the WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Certification in the very first attempt. Let’s discuss step by step
Step 1- Visit the Official Site
The first step is to visit the Official Site and review all the exam objectives. Familiarising yourself with exam course and concepts is indeed important before venturing in the exam preparations. Devote enough time to each topic and have in depth knowledge of the subject.
Step 2- Devise a Study Plan
The next step is to strategize a study plan for your preparations. Following your plan will help you remain consistent and also help in avoiding distractions. While devising a plan, keep in mind the exam objectives and time duration left for the real exam. Start by brushing up your weaker sections. Remember the key to excel is to start early, hence begin with your preparations and stay motivated.
Step 3- Instructor-Led Training
WatchGuard greatly recommends candidates to enrol for their instructor-led training class to get themselves trained with hands-on experience. This is a single 3-day course, that as an added benefit, also incorporates the VPN class. However, these sessions are often held in the regions which are sponsored by the sales or a local WatchGuard distributor. WatchGuard also provides VILT technology-based training as complementary training for its partners. All WatchGuard end-users can register themselves for a session in the WatchGuard Certified Training Partners (WCTPs) network.
Step 4- Refer Self-Study Materials
WatchGuard offers courseware that you can use for self-study, or to reinforce instructor-led training. We recommend that you review all available courseware before you take the exam. Courseware is available on the Technical Training tab in the WatchGuard Portal.
Fireware Essentials Student Guide
The Fireware Essentials Student Guide courseware is used in the instructor-led Fireware Essentials course, and is also available online for self-study and review. If your schedule allows you the time to set up one or more Firebox or XTM devices to complete all of the exercises in the Student Guide, we recommend that you use the Student Guide as your primary self-study material to prepare for the exam.
Fireware Essentials Online Course
This self-paced course is a series of online modules that cover most of the content in the Fireware Essentials instructor led course, but without the hands-on exercises.
Step 5- Join Online Discussion Forums
Joining online forums will help you in discussing your problems with other people taking the same exam. In addition to this, you will be able to get insights into how your competitors are preparing for the exams. Additionally it’s also helps you connect with experts who can share their valuable knowledge and keep you motivated throughout.
Step 6- Attempt Practice Tests
Practice tests are really significant to check your preparations. They provide you with insights about your strengths and weaknesses. Strengthening your weakness will help you ace the exam. Attempt as many practice papers as you can and try to perform better than the previous one each time. There are plenty of practice papers available online. Make sure you choose the right and authentic ones. Start Practising Now!
