When bootstrapping a firewall, is it necessary to include the VM Auth Key in the basic configuration file if Panorama is to manage the firewalls?

In the context of bootstrapping a firewall that is managed by Panorama, including the VM Auth Key in the basic configuration file is not necessary. The VM Auth Key is primarily used for authentication and authorization purposes when a firewall is being directly deployed or integrated with a management system. However, when a firewall is set to be managed by Panorama, the configuration and management tasks, including authentication, are handled through Panorama itself.

When bootstrapping, the basic configuration file is set up to ensure the firewall can connect and communicate with Panorama. Since Panorama will manage the firewall's configurations, including the necessary credentials and access controls, the inclusion of the VM Auth Key in the initial bootstrapping process is redundant. Therefore, for a streamlined and effective setup, it is acceptable to omit the VM Auth Key from the basic configuration file when the firewall is under Panorama management.