Virtual Systems (VSYS)-Palo Alto

 

🧱 Virtual Systems (VSYS) — Simple Configuration Flow (Step-by-Step)
Virtual Systems let you run multiple independent firewalls on one physical Palo Alto device.
Here’s the cleanest way to enable and configure VSYS — no fluff.
 
✅ Step 1: Enable Virtual Systems
Device → Setup → Management → General Settings
✔ Check Multi Virtual System Capability
✔ Click OK
✔ Commit
 
➕ Step 2: Create a Virtual System
Device → Virtual Systems → Add
✔ Enter VSYS ID
✔ Enter a descriptive name (example: vsys2)
 
🔌 Step 3: Assign Interfaces
Inside the VSYS:
✔ Click Interfaces → Add
✔ Assign physical or sub-interfaces
⚠️ An interface can belong to only one VSYS
 
⚙️ Step 4: Set Resource Limits (Optional)
VSYS → Resource tab
You can limit:
Sessions
Security rules
NAT rules
VPN tunnels
👉 Useful in multi-tenant environments
 
🛣 Step 5: Create a Virtual Router
Network → Virtual Routers → Add
✔ Create a router for this VSYS
✔ Assign VSYS interfaces to the router
✔ Click OK
 
🔐 Step 6: Create Security Zones
Network → Zones → Add
✔ Location: select the VSYS
✔ Type: Layer3
✔ Assign interfaces
✔ Click OK
 
📜 Step 7: Create Security Policies
Policies → Security
✔ Select the correct VSYS (top dropdown)
✔ Create allow / deny rules
✔ Policies apply only within that VSYS
 
💾 Step 8: Commit
✔ Click Commit
✔ Verify Commit Scope includes the VSYS
✔ Commit changes
 
🎯 Final Result
✔ Fully isolated virtual firewall
✔ Separate routing, zones, and policies
✔ One physical device, many firewalls
 
🧠 Final Thought
VSYS configuration is logical and repeatable:
Interface → Router → Zone → Policy → Commit
Once you understand the flow, VSYS becomes easy and powerful.