Set metadata variable mapping for each branch FortiGate

Metadata variable values must be mapped for each branch device.

There are three methods you can use to set values for metadata variables.

• Editing metadata values from the Device Manager.
• Editing metadata values from Policy & Objects.
• Exporting and importing metadata variables with mappings.

To edit metadata values in the Device Manager:

1. Go to Device Manager > Device & Groups, right-click a device in the device table, and select Edit Variable Mapping.
   
2. Input the values for the branch_hostname and branch_id metadata variables, and click OK to save.
   
3. Repeat these steps for each model device.

To edit metadata values in Policy & Objects:

1. Go to Policy & Objects > Object Configurations > Advanced > Metadata Variables.
2. Edit a variable.
3. Click Create New under Per-Device Mapping.
   
4. Select a mapped branch device and specify the variable value, and click OK.
   In this example, the model device does not have VDOMs enabled.
   
5. Repeat this process for each device.

To export and import metadata values:

1. Go to Policy & Objects > Object Configurations > Advanced > Metadata Variables.
2. Click More > Export Metadata Variables from the toolbar.
   
   The metadata_variables.json file will be downloaded to your computer's Downloads folder. You can edit the JSON file to set values directly by using an external editor.
3. Once the file has been edited, you can import the file back into FortiManager by going to Policy & Objects > Object Configurations > Advanced > Metadata Variables, and selecting More > Import Metadata Variables from the toolbar.