What is a firewall VIP (Virtual IP) used for in FortiGate?

A Virtual IP (VIP) in FortiGate firewalls serves the primary purpose of enabling external users to access internal services by mapping a public IP address to a private IP address. This is essential for scenarios where internal resources or services need to be made available to users outside the internal network, such as in web servers or application servers hosted in a private network. The mapping through VIP allows the external connection requests to be translated and routed correctly to the appropriate internal resources while maintaining security by not exposing the internal IP directly.

The function of enabling access from outside to internal services enhances network security by keeping internal architecture concealed, while still facilitating required communications. This is crucial in supporting remote access, enabling organizations to maintain services accessible to external clients or partners without compromising the overall security posture of the internal network.