Workshop Setup Guide

Prerequisites Checklist

Before starting the hands-on lab, ensure you have:

  • Azure Portal Access: Valid Azure subscription credentials
  • Fortinet Support Portal Account: Registered account with FortiFlex access
  • Postman Installed: Desktop application or web version
  • Web Browser: Chrome, Firefox, or Edge (latest version)
  • Lab Environment Access: Resource group and permissions provided by instructor

Step 1: Azure Portal & Cloudshell Access

Use these steps to access your Azure Portal environment.

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Open a browser and access the following URL: [https://portal.azure.com](https://portal.azure.com)

Use the credentials provided in the email you got from fortinetsecdevops@gmail.com.

  1. Enter Temporary access credentials, and click Sign In

    Azure Access Pass

  2. Click No on the ‘Stay signed in?’ prompt

  3. Click Get started on the ‘Welcome to Microsoft Azure’ page.

  4. Click Skip on the ‘How do you plan to use Azure’ page.

  5. Click Skip on the ‘Now, let show you around Azure’ page.

  6. Click on the Home link in the upper left corner.

    Azure Home
  • After login, you should see the Azure dashboard
  • Locate your assigned resource group: flex[XX]
    Azure Resource Group
  1. Click the Cloud Shell icon in the top navigation bar and Select Bash as the shell type
Azure Cloud Shell
  1. Wait for the Cloud Shell to initialize

  • Next, you will see a “Getting started” page.

    • Select Mount Storage Account
    • Choose Internal-Training as the Storage account subscription
    • Click Apply
    Azure Cloud Shell Storage
  • On the Mount storage account screen

    • click Select existing storage account

    • click Next

      Azure Cloud Shell Storage Mount
  • On the Select storage account screen (values in drop down)

    • choose Internal-Training as description

    • resource group will be “student number”-flex105-workshop

    • storage account name will be “student number” floolowed by some random numbers and letters

    • File share will be cloudshellshare

    • Click Select

      Azure Cloud Shell Storage Account

Step 2: Fortinet Support Portal Access

Tip

We’ve provisioned a Fortinet Support Portal account with appropriate Flex entitlements for this workshop Same credentials as the Azure Portal, slightly different logon procedure.

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Browse to the following URL: [https://customersso1.fortinet.com/saml-idp/proxy/demo_sallam_okta/login/](https://customersso1.fortinet.com/saml-idp/proxy/demo_sallam_okta/login/)

Warning

Important: PLEASE URL EXACTLY AS ABOVE, ENDING WITH /. Do not use general Fortinet Support Portal URL.

Enter the credentials provided in the email you got from fortinetsecdevops@gmail.com

  • Username: “flex[XX]@fortinetcloud.onmicrosoft.com”

  • Temporary Access Password: “[TemporaryPassword]”

  • You can choose No to “stay Signed In”

  • You may have to click “Login” at the SAML Login Portal

From the FortiCloud Main Portal, look for “FortiFlex” in the main navigation menu

  • Click to enter the FortiFlex dashboard

FortiFlex Navigation FortiFlex Navigation

Step 3: Postman Setup

Installing Postman

Option 1: Desktop Application (Recommended)

  1. Download from https://www.postman.com/downloads/
  2. Install following the standard process for your operating system
  3. Create a free Postman account when prompted

Option 2: Web Version

  1. Go to https://web.postman.co/
  2. Sign in with your Google or create a Postman account

Importing FortiFlex Collection

  1. Download the Collection

  2. Import into Postman

    • Open Postman
    • Click “Import” button
    • Select the downloaded JSON file
    • Verify the collection appears in your workspace

    Postman Import Postman Import

  3. Configure Environment Variables

    • Click the gear icon to manage environments
    • Create new environment called “FortiFlex Lab”
    • Add the following variables:
      • baseUrl: https://support.fortinet.com/ES/api/fortiflex
      • apiKey: [Will be provided during lab]

    Postman Environment Postman Environment

Step 4: Lab Environment Verification

Connectivity Test

  1. Test Azure Access

    • Navigate to your resource group
    • Click on the virtual network
    • Verify you can see subnet configurations

  2. Test FortiFlex Access

    • Log into the FortiFlex dashboard
    • Try navigating to different sections
    • Verify no error messages appear

  3. Test Postman

    • Open the imported FortiFlex collection
    • Select the “Get Configurations” request
    • Verify the request structure looks correct

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Azure Portal Issues:

  • Problem: Can’t see resource group
  • Solution: Verify you’re using the correct subscription, check with instructor

FortiFlex Access Issues:

  • Problem: Don’t see FortiFlex menu option
  • Solution: Account may need FortiFlex access enabled, contact instructor

Postman Issues:

  • Problem: Collection won’t import
  • Solution: Download collection again, ensure it’s the correct JSON format

Next Steps

Once you’ve completed all setup steps:

  1. Verify you can access all three platforms (Azure, FortiFlex WebUI, Postman)
  2. Take note of your assigned student number for naming conventions
  3. Review the FAQ section for common questions
  4. Proceed to the hands-on lab when ready

Setup Complete? Let’s address some common questions before diving into the lab.

Next: FAQ →