In a FortiGate firewall, which feature is essential for network traffic monitoring and management?

Log Inspection is a critical feature in a FortiGate firewall for monitoring and managing network traffic. It allows administrators to capture and analyze traffic data that passes through the firewall, providing insight into what types of traffic are prevalent, patterns of usage, and potential security threats. With robust logging capabilities, it is possible to track user activity, detect anomalous behavior, and respond effectively to incidents.

The information gathered from log inspection is invaluable for troubleshooting performance issues, optimizing network resources, and maintaining compliance with regulatory standards. This feature enables real-time visibility into the network, which is essential for effective network management and security policies.

Other features like Virtual IPs, Application Control, and Interface Firewall Policies serve specific functions, such as handling address translations, controlling application traffic, or defining security rules on interfaces, but they do not provide the comprehensive monitoring capabilities that log inspection offers.