The image itself is small, but a second virtual disk is usually added for logging and reporting. How to Deploy FortiOS.qcow2
The .qcow2 (QEMU Copy On Write) format is a drive image used by the hypervisor. Unlike raw images, QCOW2 files are thin-provisioned, meaning they only take up the physical disk space actually used by the virtual machine.
is the virtual disk image file used to deploy a FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) on KVM-based hypervisors. Whether you are building a professional network infrastructure, a staging lab, or a cybersecurity study environment, the QCOW2 format is the standard for high-performance virtualization. What is FortiOS.qcow2? fortios.qcow2
Automated security testing in virtualized environments. Deployment Requirements
Obtain the deployment package from the Fortinet Support Portal under Download > VM Images . Select KVM as the platform. The image itself is small, but a second
Transfer the .qcow2 file to your hypervisor's storage volume.
The "FortiOS.qcow2" file specifically contains the FortiOS operating system—Fortinet's proprietary security OS—tailored for virtual appliances (FortiGate-VM). Key Use Cases is the virtual disk image file used to
If you use the image without a license, it operates in (available in versions 7.2.1 and later). This allows for limited functionality—low encryption strength and basic features—which is perfect for learning. For production, you must upload a .lic file to unlock the full throughput and security fabric capabilities. Why Choose Virtual over Physical?
Create a new Virtual Machine. Assign the QCOW2 file as the primary boot disk (virtio interface is recommended for performance).