Introduction

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Introduction

This FortiSwitch-5003A and 5003 Fabric and Base Backplane Communications Guide contains information, instructions and example configurations for the base and fabric backplane channels and interfaces of FortiGate-5000 ATCA chassis and security systems.

FortiGate-5020 chassis is a 2-slot ATCA chassis. The FortiGate-5020 base backplane provides 2 base backplane channels for the base backplane interfaces of FortiGate-5000 boards installed in the chassis. The FortiGate-5020 chassis does not include fabric backplane channels.

The FortiGate-5140 chassis is a 14-slot ATCA chassis and the FortiGate-5050 chassis is a 5-slot ATCA chassis. To support base backplane layer-2 switching for FortiGate-5000 boards in slots 3 and up you can install FortiSwitch-5003A or FortiSwitch-5003 boards in the first and second hub/switch base slots of these chassis.To support fabric backplane layer-2 switching for FortiGate-5001A and 5005FA2 boards in slots 3 and up you can install FortiSwitch-5003A boards in the first and second hub/switch fabric slots. For most versions of the FortiGate-5140 and 5050 chassis the hub/switch base and fabric slots are slots 1 and 2. For more information about each chassis see the FortiGate-5140 Chassis Guide and the FortiGate-5140 Chassis Guide.

FortiSwitch-5003A and 5003 boards can be used for fabric and base backplane layer-2 switching within a single chassis and between multiple chassis.

Note: Installing a FortiSwitch-5003A board and a FortiSwitch-5003 board in the same chassis is not supported.

Usually you would use the base channel for management traffic (for example, HA heartbeat traffic) and the fabric channel for data traffic although this is not a requirement.

This section includes the following topics:

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Revision history

About this document

This document includes the following chapters:

FortiSwitch-5003A system an overview of the FortiSwitch-5003A board.

FortiSwitch-5003 system an overview of the FortiSwitch-5003 board.

FortiGate-5140 fabric backplane communication describes supported configurations and features for FortiGate-5140 chassis fabric backplane communications.

FortiGate-5050 fabric backplane communication describes supported configurations and features for FortiGate-5050 chassis fabric backplane communications.

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

 

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Fortinet 5003A manual Introduction, About this document

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.