Michael makes a very interesting point and one that I noticed right away when Palo Alto started offering virtual firewalls - if you buy a hardware firewall and want any kind of HA you need to buy and often license (sometimes at a lower cost) a second unit, then there is switching complexity etc. Global Network Security Appliance Market Top Players Analysis By 2026: Check Point Software Technologies, Fortinet, Jupiter Network, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, Siemens, Cisco, Palo Alto Networks, Samsung Techwin, McAfee etc.
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How to Register and Activate Eval Panorama Software
The following procedure walks you through the steps to license, download, and install the Panorama management software.
STEP 1 | Register the Panorama Serial #
- Log in to the Customer Support Portal (https://support.paloaltonetworks.com) and select Assets > Devices > Register New Device.
- In the Device Type window, select Register device using Serial Number or Authorization Code and click Next
- To activate the Panorama software, enter the Serial Number you received in the “Request for Software Evaluation Approved” email
- If the Panorama software will be used offline and not connected to the internet, then click the checkbox 'Device will be used Offline:' and enter the additional required info.
- Review the EULA and Support Agreement
- If you Agree, click Agree and Submit.
- After successful registration, your Assets screen should display the newly registered and activated Eval Panorama.
STEP 2 | Download the Panorama software
- In the navigation menu, click Updates > Software Updates
- Click the Filter By: drop down menu and select Panorama Base Images
- Locate the most recent base image that will be used for your environment and click the corresponding download link
STEP 3 | Install the Panorama software
- For detailed instructions on installing and configuring the Panorama software, go to PANW Tech Docs: Panorama Admin Guide: Set up the Panorama Virtual Appliance
STEP 4 | Activate the support license on Panorama
- Open a web browser and navigate to the management IP address you set for Panorama
- Login using the factory default credentials of admin/admin for username and password
- On the Dashboard > General Information section, the Serial # field should say “Unknown”
- Go to Panorama > Setup > Management > General Settings. Click the settings wheel.
- In the pop-up window, enter the Evaluation Panorama Serial # that you registered on the support portal. Click OK
Palo Alto Virtual Firewall Cost
- Click Commit at the top right corner and then Commit to Panorama to commit any pending changes.
- Go to Panorama > Support
- If the Support license is not displayed here, you will need to reboot Panorama for the system to display the license info.
- Go to Panorama > Licenses, click 'Retrieve license keys from license server.'
- If your Panorama is being used offline, you will need to download the license keys from the Support Portal on the Assets > Devices screen, then use the link in Panorama named 'Manually upload license key'.
- Go to Panorama > Dynamic Updates to download the latest Apps & Threats, WildFire, and Antivirus content updates
- Go to Panorama > Software to download the latest software version if needed