Cisco ASA FirePOWER Management Options
There are several options available for network security administrators to manage the Cisco ASA FirePOWER module. The Cisco ASA FirePOWER module provides a basic command-line interface (CLI) for initial configuration and troubleshooting only. Network security administrators can configure security policies on the Cisco ASA FirePOWER module using either of these methods:
Administrators can configure the Cisco Firepower Management Center hosted on a separate appliance or deployed as a virtual machine (VM).
Administrators can configure the Cisco ASA FirePOWER module deployed on Cisco ASA 5506-X, 5508-X, and 5516-X using Cisco’s Adaptive Security Device Manager (ASDM).
Figure 2-3 shows a Cisco ASA with FirePOWER Services being managed by a Cisco Firepower Management Center (FMC) in a VM.
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Figure 2-3 Cisco ASA with FirePOWER Services Managed by a Cisco Firepower Management Center
In Figure 2-3 the Cisco Firepower Management Center manages the Cisco ASA FirePOWER module via its management interface. The following section provides important information about configuring and accessing the Cisco ASA FirePOWER module management interface.
Accessing the Cisco ASA FirePOWER Module Management Interface in Cisco ASA 5585-X Appliances
In the Cisco ASA 5585-X, the Cisco ASA FirePOWER module includes a separate management interface. All management traffic to and from the Cisco ASA FirePOWER module must enter and exit this management interface, and the management interface cannot be used as a data interface.
The Cisco ASA FirePOWER module needs Internet access to perform several operations, such as automated system software updates and threat intelligence updates. If the module is managed by the Firepower Management Center, the FMC is the one that needs to have Internet access to perform those tasks.
Figure 2-4 shows an example of how you can physically connect the Cisco ASA FirePOWER module management interface to be able to reach the Internet via the Cisco ASA interface.
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Figure 2-4 Cisco ASA 5585-X FirePOWER Module Management Interface
In Figure 2-4, the Cisco ASA 5585-X has two modules:
A module running Cisco ASA software
A module running FirePOWER Services
The Cisco ASA is managed via the interface named management 0/0 in this example. This interface is configured with the IP address 192.168.1.1. The Cisco ASA FirePOWER module is managed via the interface named management 1/0, configured with the IP address 192.168.1.2. The Cisco ASA FirePOWER module is being managed by a virtual Cisco Firepower Management Center. Both interfaces are connected to a Layer 2 switch in this example.
In order for the Cisco ASA FirePOWER module management interface to have an Internet connection, the default gateway of the Cisco ASA FirePOWER module is set to the Cisco ASA management interface IP address (192.168.1.1 in this example). Figure 2-5 illustrates the logical connection between the Cisco ASA FirePOWER module management interface and the Cisco ASA management interface.
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Figure 2-5 Cisco ASA FirePOWER Module Management Interface
Accessing the Cisco ASA FirePOWER Module Management Interface in Cisco ASA 5500-X Appliances
In the rest of the Cisco 5500-X appliances, the management interface is shared by the Cisco ASA FirePOWER module and the classic Cisco ASA software. These appliances include the Cisco ASA 5506-X, 5506W-X, 5506H-X, 5508-X, 5512-X, 5515-X, 5516-X, 5525-X, 5545-X, and 5555-X appliances.
Figure 2-6 shows a Cisco ASA 5516-X running Cisco ASA FirePOWER Services.
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Figure 2-6 Cisco ASA 5500-X FirePOWER Module Management Interface
In Figure 2-6, the management interface is used by the Cisco ASA FirePOWER module. The management interface is configured with the IP address 10.1.2.2. You cannot configure an IP address for this interface in the Cisco ASA configuration. For the ASA 5506-X, 5508-X, and 5516-X, the default configuration enables the preceding network deployment; the only change you need to make is to set the module IP address to be on the same network as the ASA inside interface and to configure the module gateway IP address. For other models, you must remove the ASA-configured name and IP address for management 0/0 or 1/1 and then configure the other interfaces as shown in Figure 2-6.
The Cisco ASA FirePOWER module default gateway is configured to be the inside interface of the Cisco ASA (10.1.2.1), as illustrated in Figure 2-7.
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Figure 2-7 Cisco ASA 5500-X FirePOWER Module Default Gateway
If you must configure the management interface separately from the inside interface, you can deploy a router or a Layer 3 switch between both interfaces, as shown in Figure 2-8. This option is less common, as you still need to manage the ASA via the inside interface.
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Figure 2-8 Cisco ASA 5500-X FirePOWER Module Management Interface Connected to a Router
In Figure 2-8, the Cisco ASA FirePOWER module default gateway is the router labeled R1, with the IP address 10.1.2.1. The Cisco ASA’s inside interface is configured with the IP address 10.1.1.1. The Cisco ASA FirePOWER module must have a way to reach the inside interface of the ASA to allow for on-box ASDM management. On the other hand, if you are using FMC, the Cisco ASA FirePOWER module needs to have a way to reach the FMC.