Preparing for a practical interview involving Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) can be highly technical. Here are some common questions you might encounter, along with detailed answers:

1. How do you configure a basic access control policy in Cisco FTD?

Answer: To configure a basic access control policy in Cisco FTD, follow these steps:

1. Log in to FMC (Firepower Management Center): Use your credentials to log into the FMC web interface.
2. Navigate to Policies: Go to “Policies” and select “Access Control.”
3. Create a New Policy: Click on “New Policy” and provide a name and description for the policy.
4. Define Rules: Click on “Add Rule” and configure the following:
   • Name: Give the rule a descriptive name.
   • Action: Select the desired action (e.g., Allow, Block).
   • Source and Destination: Define the source and destination networks or IP addresses.
   • Applications and Ports: Specify the applications or ports to which the rule applies.
5. Save and Deploy: After configuring the rules, save the policy and deploy it to the relevant devices.

2. What steps do you take to troubleshoot connectivity issues in a network protected by Cisco FTD?

Answer: To troubleshoot connectivity issues in a network protected by Cisco FTD, follow these steps:

1. Check Interface Status: Ensure all interfaces are up and running. Verify IP addresses and subnet masks.
2. Review Access Control Policies: Make sure the access control policies are correctly configured and not inadvertently blocking traffic.
3. Inspect NAT Rules: Verify that Network Address Translation (NAT) rules are correctly configured.
4. Examine Logs: Use the FMC to review connection and intrusion event logs for any anomalies or blocked traffic.
5. Ping and Traceroute: Use ping and traceroute commands to test connectivity and determine where the connection is failing.
6. Packet Capture: Perform a packet capture on the FTD device to analyze the traffic and identify any issues.

3. How do you configure VPN on Cisco FTD?

Answer: To configure a VPN on Cisco FTD, follow these steps:

1. Log in to FMC: Access the FMC web interface using your credentials.
2. Navigate to Devices: Go to “Devices” and select “VPN.”
3. Create a New VPN: Click on “Add VPN” and choose the VPN type (Site-to-Site or Remote Access).
4. Define the VPN Settings: Configure the following settings:
   • Topology: Define the VPN topology (hub-and-spoke, point-to-point, etc.).
   • Endpoints: Specify the local and remote endpoints.
   • IKE Policy: Configure the IKE policy settings (encryption, authentication, etc.).
   • IPsec Policy: Define the IPsec policy settings (encryption, integrity, etc.).
5. Access Control: Ensure the access control policies allow the VPN traffic.
6. Save and Deploy: Save the VPN configuration and deploy it to the relevant devices.

4. How do you perform an upgrade on Cisco FTD devices?

Answer: To perform an upgrade on Cisco FTD devices, follow these steps:

1. Check Compatibility: Verify that the current FTD version is compatible with the target upgrade version.
2. Backup Configuration: Backup the current configuration from FMC.
3. Download the Update: Download the upgrade package from Cisco’s website.
4. Upload the Update: Upload the update package to the FMC.
5. Pre-Upgrade Check: Run a pre-upgrade check to ensure there are no issues.
6. Install the Update: Deploy the update to the FTD devices from FMC.
7. Monitor the Upgrade: Monitor the upgrade process and verify that all devices successfully upgrade.
8. Post-Upgrade Validation: Validate the functionality of the FTD devices post-upgrade, ensuring all policies and configurations are intact.

5. What is the difference between Routed and Transparent modes in Cisco FTD?

Answer:

• Routed Mode:
  • Operation: In Routed mode, FTD operates as a Layer 3 device, routing traffic between different networks.
  • Configuration: Requires IP addresses on interfaces, and routing protocols can be configured.
  • Use Case: Suitable for scenarios where FTD needs to perform routing functions.
• Transparent Mode:
  • Operation: In Transparent mode, FTD operates as a Layer 2 device, bridging traffic between interfaces without modifying the IP header.
  • Configuration: Interfaces do not require IP addresses (except for management). It acts like a bump in the wire.
  • Use Case: Ideal for situations where FTD needs to be inserted into an existing network without reconfiguring the network addressing.

6. How do you configure intrusion policies in Cisco FTD?

Answer: To configure intrusion policies in Cisco FTD, follow these steps:

1. Log in to FMC: Access the FMC web interface using your credentials.
2. Navigate to Policies: Go to “Policies” and select “Intrusion.”
3. Create a New Policy: Click on “Create Policy” and provide a name and description for the policy.
4. Configure Rules: Add and configure intrusion rules based on your security requirements.
5. Assign to Access Control Policy: Link the intrusion policy to an existing access control policy to ensure it is applied to the relevant traffic.
6. Save and Deploy: Save the intrusion policy and deploy it to the FTD devices.

These questions and answers cover key areas of Cisco FTD and should help you prepare for practical aspects of the interview. Tailor your responses based on your specific experiences and the context of the interview.