Fabric channel layer-2 link aggregation

FortiGate-5140 fabric backplane communication

Because the FortiGate-5000 boards in a link aggregation configuration operate in transparent mode, any routing, VPN or NAT requirements should be handed by an external device (such as a router), before or after the traffic reaches the FortiSwitch-5003A board.

If the traffic that you are distributing contains VLAN-tagged packets, you must add the VLAN tags to the FortiSwitch-5003A interfaces and to the trunks that will handle the VLAN-tagged traffic.

Figure shows a basic link aggregation configuration using a single FortiSwitch-5003A board. In this configuration the external switch is connected to the FortiSwitch-5003A F7 front panel interface. The external switch adds VLAN tags to traffic from the internal and external networks. Packets from the internal network are tagged as 100 and packets from the external network are tagged as 101.

Note: LInk aggregation does not require FortiGate-RTM-XB2 modules. If the example in Figure did not include FortiGate-RTM-XB2 modules the configuration steps would be the same and link aggregation would still function the same way. The only difference is without the FortiGate-RTM-XB2 modules communication on the fabric channel would be 1Gbps instead of 10 Gbps.

Figure 14: Fabric channel layer-2 link aggregation configuration

Internal Network

External

Network

Internal and external 10-gigabit networks connected to

External switch

FortiSwitch-5003A front panel interface F7 and to fabric channel 1

13 11

VLAN tagged traffic

9 7

 

 

 

 

 

5140SAP

SERIAL 1

SERIAL 2

ALARM

 

 

 

5140

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

3

1

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

1 2

Six FortiGate-RTM-XB2 modules installed in RTM slots 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and

13to provide 10-gigabit fabric interfaces and NP2 acceleration for each FortiGate-5001A board

FILTER

0 FAN TRAY

1 FAN TRAY

2 FAN TRAY

Distributed 10-gigabit data communication on fabric channel 1

 

FortiSwitch-5003A and 5003 Fabric and Base Backplane Communications Guide

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Fortinet 5003A manual Fabric channel layer-2 link aggregation configuration

5003, 5003A specifications

Fortinet's FortiGate 5003 and 5003A are high-capacity, next-generation firewalls designed for enterprises that require advanced security solutions with a strong focus on performance and scalability. These models are part of Fortinet's expansive line of FortiGate appliances, which leverage innovative technologies to provide robust protection against a variety of cyber threats while maintaining seamless network operations.

One of the standout features of the FortiGate 5003 and 5003A is their impressive throughput capabilities. With multiple high-speed network interfaces, these firewalls can handle substantial amounts of traffic, ensuring that data flows smoothly without creating bottlenecks. This makes them ideal for organizations that operate large-scale networks or have significant bandwidth demands.

The FortiGate 5003 series is equipped with Fortinet's proprietary FortiOS, an intuitive operating system that integrates firewall, VPN, antivirus, intrusion prevention, web filtering, and application control functionalities. This comprehensive approach to security allows organizations to protect their networks from an array of cyber threats while simplifying management and reducing operational costs.

Another key characteristic of these models is their use of Fortinet's purpose-built security processing units (SPUs). These hardware-accelerated security chips enable accelerated threat detection and prevention, allowing the 5003 and 5003A to deliver high performance even when advanced security features are enabled. The SPUs play a crucial role in ensuring that organizations can enforce security policies without compromising on speed or efficiency.

Furthermore, the FortiGate 5003 and 5003A support advanced networking features, including Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF), which allows for better traffic management and segmentation. This capability is essential in multi-tenant environments, enabling organizations to create isolated networks while maintaining centralized security management.

In addition to their performance and feature set, both models support centralized management through Fortinet's FortiManager platform, providing a unified view of network security across multiple devices. This simplifies configuration, updates, and policy compliance, significantly reducing administrative overhead.

Finally, the FortiGate 5003 and 5003A are designed with redundancy and high availability in mind. They include failover capabilities and support for clustering, ensuring that network operations remain uninterrupted even in the event of hardware failure. This level of reliability is vital for mission-critical applications where downtime can lead to significant operational disruption.

In summary, Fortinet's FortiGate 5003 and 5003A are powerful solutions that combine high performance, advanced security technologies, and robust management features to meet the needs of large enterprises. With their focus on scalability and reliability, these firewalls are poised to protect organizations against evolving cyber threats while ensuring optimal network performance.