Secure Firewall 6100 Threat Defense Getting Started: Firewall Management Center at a Central Headquarters

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Secure Firewall 6100 Threat Defense Getting Started: Firewall Management Center at a Central Headquarters

Before You Begin

Updated: May 8, 2026

Overview

Check your software version and reimage if necessary, obtain your licenses, and make sure you can connect.

The Secure Firewall 6100 is an AI-ready, ultra-high-end firewall, engineered to deliver exceptional throughput per rack unit. Optimized for high-performing data center and telecommunications mobility infrastructure environments, the Secure Firewall 6100 features a multi-socket, multi-core architecture that enables rapid threat inspection. Its dedicated cryptographic modules facilitate high-throughput IPSec and TLS connection termination at scale, providing industry-leading cryptographic performance within its two rack unit (RU) form factor.

Install the firewall at a branch office and manage it on the outside interface using a central Secure Firewall Management Center.

Note

For high availability if you use zero-touch provisioning, we recommend using the Management interface. If you use zero-touch provisioning on outside and want to use high availability, you will have to change the outside IP address to a static address after registration.

    Power on the firewall

    How to power on the Secure Firewall 6100 and confirm it started successfully by checking the front-panel LEDs for power and system status.

    Which application is installed: Firewall Threat Defense or ASA?

    Learn how to determine whether your Secure Firewall 6100 is running Firewall Threat Defense or ASA by connecting to the console port and identifying the CLI prompt.

    Access the Firewall Threat Defense CLI

    How to access the Firewall Threat Defense CLI on the Secure Firewall 6100 for setup or troubleshooting, including logging into FXOS and switching to the FTD CLI when needed.

    Check the version and reimage

    Learn how to check the current Firewall Threat Defense software version and decide whether to reimage the Secure Firewall 6100 to your target release before you begin configuration.

    Obtain licenses

    Learn how to obtain Secure Firewall 6100 licenses in Cisco Smart Software Manager and Cisco Commerce Workspace, including identifying required license types and the license PIDs used to order additional entitlements.

    (If Needed) Power off the firewall

    How to safely power off the Secure Firewall 6100 to avoid file system damage, using either the FXOS CLI shutdown command or the Firewall Management Center shutdown workflow.