Configuring active-passive HA cluster that includes redundant interfaces – web-based manager
These procedures assume you are starting with two FortiGate units with factory default settings.
To configure the FortiGate units for HA operation
1. Register and apply licenses to the FortiGate unit. This includes FortiCloud activation, FortiClient licensing, and FortiToken licensing, and entering a license key if you purchased more than 10 Virtual Domains (VDOMS).
2. You can also install any third-party certificates on the primary FortiGate before forming the cluster. Once the cluster is formed third-party certificates are synchronized to the backup FortiGate.
3. On the System Information dashboard widget, beside Host Name select Change.
4. Enter a new Host Name for this FortiGate unit.
New Name FGT_ha_1
5. Select OK.
6. Go to System > HA and change the following settings.
Mode Active-Passive
Group Name example6.com
Password HA_pass_6
Heartbeat Interface
Enable Priority
port5 Select 50
port6 Select 50
Since port3 and port4 will be used for a redundant interface, you must change the HA heartbeat configuration.
7. Select OK.
The FortiGate unit negotiates to establish an HA cluster. When you select OK you may temporarily lose connectivity with the FortiGate unit as the HA cluster negotiates and the FGCP changes the MAC address of the FortiGate unit interfaces. The MAC addresses of the FortiGate interfaces change to the following virtual MAC addresses:
- port1 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-00
- port10 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-01 l port11 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-02 l port12 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-03 l port13 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-04 l port14 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-05 l port15 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-06 l port16 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-07 l port17 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-08 l port18 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-09 l port19 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-0a l port2 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-0b
- port20 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-0c
- port3 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-0d l port4 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-0e l port5 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-0f l port6 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-10 l port7 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-11 l port8 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-12 l port9 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-13
To reconnect sooner, you can update the ARP table of your management PC by deleting the ARP table entry for the FortiGate unit (or just deleting all arp table entries). You may be able to delete the arp table of your management PC from a command prompt using a command similar to arp -d.
You can use the get hardware nic (or diagnose hardware deviceinfo nic) CLI command to view the virtual MAC address of any FortiGate unit interface. For example, use the following command to view the port1 interface virtual MAC address (Current_HWaddr) and the port1 permanent MAC address (Permanent_HWaddr):
get hardware nic port1
MAC: 00:09:0f:09:00:00
Permanent_HWaddr: 02:09:0f:78:18:c9
7. Power off the first FortiGate unit.
8. Repeat these steps for the second FortiGate unit.
Set the second FortiGate unit host name to:
New Name FGT_ha_2
To connect the cluster to the network
1. Connect the port1 and port2 interfaces of FGT_ha_1 and FGT_ha_2 to a switch connected to the Internet.
Configure the switch so that the port1 and port2 of FGT_ha_1 make up a redundant interface and port1 and port2 of FGT_ha_2 make up another redundant interface.
2. Connect the port3 and port4 interfaces of FGT_ha_1 and FGT_ha_2 to a switch connected to the internal network.
Configure the switch so that the port3 and port4 of FGT_ha_1 make up a redundant interface and port3 and port4 of FGT_ha_2 make up another redundant interface.
3. Connect the port5 interfaces of FGT_ha_1 and FGT_ha_2 together. You can use a crossover Ethernet cable or regular Ethernet cables and a switch.
4. Connect the port5 interfaces of the cluster units together. You can use a crossover Ethernet cable or regular
Ethernet cables and a switch.
5. Power on the cluster units.
The units start and negotiate to choose the primary unit and the subordinate unit. This negotiation occurs with no user intervention and normally takes less than a minute.
When negotiation is complete the cluster is ready to be configured for your network.
To view cluster status
Use the following steps to view the cluster dashboard and cluster members list to confirm that the cluster units are operating as a cluster.
1. View the system dashboard.
The System Information dashboard widget shows the Cluster Name (example5.com) and the host names and serial numbers of the Cluster Members. The Unit Operation widget shows multiple cluster units.
2. Go to System > HA to view the cluster members list.
The list shows two cluster units, their host names, their roles in the cluster, and their priorities. You can use this list to confirm that the cluster is operating normally.
To troubleshoot the cluster configuration
See Example HA and redundant interfaces on page 1413 to troubleshoot the cluster.
To add basic configuration settings and the redundant interfaces
Use the following steps to add a few basic configuration settings.
1. Log into the cluster web-based manager.
2. Go to System > Admin > Administrators.
3. Edit admin and select Change Password.
4. Enter and confirm a new password.
5. Select OK.
6. Go to Router > Static > Static Routes and temporarily delete the default route.
You cannot add an interface to a redundant interface if any settings (such as the default route) are configured for it.
7. Go to System > Network > Interfaces and select Create New to add the redundant interface to connect to the Internet.
8. Set Type to Redundant Interface and configure the redundant interface to be connected to the Internet:
Name Port1_Port2
Physical Interface Members port1, port2
IP/Netmask 172.20.120.141/24
9. Select OK.
10. Select Create New to add the redundant interface to connect to the internal network.
11. Set Type to Redundant Interface and configure the redundant interface to be connected to the Internet:
Name Port3_Port4
Physical Interface Members port3, port4
IP/Netmask 10.11.101.100/24
Administrative Access HTTPS, PING, SSH
12. Select OK.
The virtual MAC addresses of the FortiGate interfaces change to the following. Note that port1 and port2 both have the port1 virtual MAC address and port3 and port4 both have the port3 virtual MAC address:
- port1 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-00
- port10 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-01 l port11 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-02 l port12 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-03 l port13 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-04 l port14 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-05 l port15 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-06 l port16 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-07 l port17 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-08 l port18 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-09 l port19 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-0a
- port2 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-00 (same as port1)
- port20 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-0c
- port3 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-0d
- port4 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-0d (same as port3)
- port5 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-0f l port6 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-10 l port7 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-11
- port8 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-12
- port9 interface virtual MAC: 00-09-0f-09-00-13
13. Go to Router > Static > Static Routes.
14. Add the default route.
Destination IP/Mask 0.0.0.0/0.0.0.0
Gateway 172.20.120.2
Device Port1_Port2
Distance 10
15. Select OK.
To configure HA port monitoring for the redundant interfaces
1. Go to System > HA.
2. In the cluster members list, edit the primary unit.
3. Configure the following port monitoring for the redundant interfaces:
Port Monitor
Port1_Port2 Select
Port3_Port4 Select
4. Select OK.