A WatchGuard Firewall helps secure your business network by protecting both wired and wireless devices through one central firewall. From desktops and printers to laptops, tablets, and mobile phones, every connection is filtered and monitored for safety.
This guide will show you how to set up your WatchGuard Firewall using your primary ISP and how the firewall creates a secure network for business use and a separate network for guests. It’s an easy, reliable way to keep your network protected.
Step 1: Connect Your Primary Internet (ISP)
Start by connecting your primary modem to the WatchGuard Firewall. This modem provides your main internet connection.
Use an Ethernet cable from the modem to the WAN port on the firewall (shown by the red line in the diagram).
Once connected, this feed handles all your online activity, including browsing, emails, cloud apps, and internal systems.
Your firewall is now officially online.
Step 2: Connect Your Devices
Your secure network—also known as the business network—is shown in blue in the diagram.
Connect your wired devices such as:
Desktop PCs
Office printers
Laptops that use Ethernet
Even though these devices plug in with a cable, they are still part of the MSFW protected zone (Make Safe for Work). This zone keeps your internal systems safe, encrypted, and monitored by WatchGuard’s security services.
The blue dotted line in the diagram represents the secure wireless connections for approved business devices.
Your firewall also broadcasts a secure Wi-Fi network for employee laptops, tablets, and mobile devices. This network is part of the same blue business network, giving your team encrypted and filtered access. This is the network your staff should use every day
Step 3: Create an Isolated Guest Network
The green cloud in the diagram represents the ability to build up a dedicated guest network within your WatchGuard Firewall.This separate network is great for:
Visitors
Contractors
Customer devices
Temporary users
The guest network provides internet access but remains fully separated from your business systems.This keeps your internal data safe from unknown devices
Why This Setup Is Secure:
This configuration creates two safe zones:
Blue: Business Network
Protected by MSFW
Safe for company devices
Encrypted traffic
Access to internal systems
Green: Guest Network
Internet-only
Fully isolated
Prevents guests from reaching your internal devices
Reduces risk from unknown devices
This separation helps maintain strong security while still offering convenience.By following the guide above You have finished the necessary steps to set up your WatchGuard Firewall using your primary ISP by following this instruction. The firewall now provides:
A safe network for business
A guest network that is completely separate
Safe wired and wireless connections
Smart protection for your internal systems
Note: You can improve reliability further by adding a secondary ISP. Learn how in our next guide:
How to Add a Second ISP to Your WatchGuard Firewall
