Fortinet FortiSwitch 424E-FPOE 1-Year Secure RMA (FC-10-S424F-301-02-12)

Standard RMA programs require returning the failed unit to Fortinet. For most deployments that’s straightforward — but for government agencies, defense contractors, financial institutions, and healthcare organizations, shipping decommissioned switching hardware through external logistics raises real data-security concerns. The FC-10-S424F-301-02-12 Secure RMA service eliminates that risk: when the FortiSwitch 424E-FPOE fails, a replacement ships to you, and the defective unit stays on your premises for destruction under your own security protocols.

What Secure RMA Covers

The Secure RMA service replaces hardware without requiring the failed unit to be returned. When a FortiSwitch 424E-FPOE hardware failure is confirmed and declared, Fortinet ships a replacement unit. The customer destroys the failed switch according to internal data-destruction and compliance policies — NIST 800-88, DoD 5220.22-M, or equivalent. No return merchandise authorization, no outbound shipment of potentially sensitive equipment. Like all Priority RMA add-ons, this service requires an active FortiCare Premium or Elite subscription on the device.

Who Needs Secure RMA

Secure RMA is not for every environment. It addresses a specific compliance requirement: hardware that has handled regulated data cannot leave the premises through uncontrolled channels. That applies to:

• Federal, provincial, and municipal government networks subject to data-handling regulations
• Defense and public safety networks where ITAR or similar frameworks restrict hardware movement
• Financial institutions where in-service switches may retain artifacts of transaction processing
• Healthcare organizations handling protected health information on local networks
• Any environment where an internal security policy prohibits external shipment of decommissioned network hardware

Activation and Delivery

FC-10-S424F-301-02-12 is activated electronically. After purchase through DataCenter360.ca, the contract key is delivered to your inbox within 0–1 business days. Register it against the FortiSwitch 424E-FPOE serial number in the FortiCare portal. The contract is valid worldwide; electronic delivery works for any country.

Secure RMA vs. Priority RMA Add-Ons

For the FortiSwitch 424E-FPOE, the RMA add-on service tiers cover a range of scenarios:

• -210- Next Calendar Day Delivery: Replacement ships next calendar day; failed unit returned
• -211- 4-Hour Hardware Delivery: Replacement on-site within 4 hours; failed unit returned
• -212- 4-Hour Hardware and Onsite Engineer: On-site technician within 4 hours; failed unit returned
• -301- Secure RMA: Replacement ships; failed unit stays with you for destruction — this tier

The -301- Secure RMA tier is not about speed. It’s about hardware custody. If return shipping of the failed unit is acceptable, the -210- or -212- tiers cover the response-time requirements at a lower price point. Secure RMA is the right choice only when hardware retention is a compliance requirement.

FortiCare Support Tiers and RMA Coverage

Priority RMA add-on services require FortiCare Premium or Elite. The table below shows what each base FortiCare tier includes for hardware support and which tiers are eligible for this add-on.

Buying from DataCenter360.ca

DataCenter360.ca is a Fortinet Select Partner carrying the full FortiSwitch 424E-FPOE licensing catalog, including every RMA service tier. Orders are processed quickly, and contract keys arrive electronically with no delays for regulated customers who need contracts activated promptly. If you have questions about pairing Secure RMA with FortiCare Premium for your specific device, our team is available to assist.

Frequently Asked Questions