In FortiNAC-F, theDevice Profileris a rule-based engine that evaluates unknown "rogue" devices and classifies them based on fingerprints and behavior. When a profiling rule matches a device, the administrator can configure the rule to automatically register that device. The registration process can place the device record in two primary locations: theTopology View(as a device) or theHost View(as a registered host).

According to theFortiNAC-F Administration Guide, registering a device in theHost Viewprovides significant advantages for identity management and historical tracking. First, the devices can beassociated with a user (C). In the FortiNAC database architecture, the Host View is the primary repository for endpoint identity; placing a profiled device here allows the system to link that hardware (MAC address) to a specific user account, whether that user is an employee, guest, or a system-level "owner". This association is essential for Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and for tracking accountability across the network fabric.

Second, devices registered in the Host View will haveconnection logs (B). FortiNAC-F maintains a detailed operational history for all host records, including every instance of the device connecting to or disconnecting from a port, its IP address assignments, and the specific policies applied during each session. These logs are invaluable for troubleshooting connectivity issues and for security forensic audits, as they provide a clear timeline of the device's lifecycle on the network. In contrast, devices managed only in the Topology View are typically treated as infrastructure components where the focus is on device availability rather than individual session history.

"Devices that are registered and associated with a user are placed in theHost Viewand removed from the Profiled Devices window... Placing a device in the Host View allows for the tracking ofconnection historyand the association of the device with a specificidentity or user recordwithin the FortiNAC database." —FortiNAC-F Administration Guide: Device Profiler How it Works.