FortiGate-5140 and 5050 base backplane communication

Base backplane HA configurations

To configure HA interface failover to use two FortiSwitch boards

1Insert the FortiSwitch boards into chassis hub/switch slot 1 and hub/switch slot 2.

If you want to form an HA cluster between FortiGate boards in separate chassis, link the base backplanes of each chassis by connecting FortiSwitch boards front panel base or ZRE interfaces with an Ethernet cable.

For example hardware installations, see Figure 23 on page 69, Figure 24 on page 70, Figure 25 on page 70, and Figure 26 on page 71.

2Insert FortiGate boards into the required chassis slots.

3On each FortiGate board to be included in the HA cluster, go to System > Config > HA.

4Select the HA Mode, then enter the Group Name, and Password.

5Set other HA options as required.

6Configure the base backplane interfaces as heartbeat interfaces.

7Set the priority of the base backplane interfaces to be higher than the priority of all other interfaces so that they are selected as the primary and first failover heartbeat interfaces.

Note: Heartbeat interface precedence can be determined by multiple factors, including Priority and position in the Heartbeat Interface list. For details, see “Slot position and HA heartbeat interface precedence” on page 77.

If interface priorities are not all equal, set the base backplane interface priority to a higher value than all other interfaces.

If interface priorities are all equal, set the base backplane interface priority to a higher value than all other interfaces, or disable interfaces listed above the base backplane interfaces in the heartbeat Interface list. For some FortiGate models, FortiSwitch slot positions, or configurations of other HA interfaces, this may mean that no change is required.

8If you want to select a different base backplane interface as the primary heartbeat interface, increase its priority.

9Select OK.

One FortiSwitch board per chassis

Installing a single FortiSwitch board provides a single base backplane HA heartbeat and synchronization channel.

Note: More than one cluster can use the same base backplane channel for HA communication. To separate HA communications of multiple clusters using the same channel, configure a different HA Group Name and Password for each cluster.

Unlike hardware configurations involving two FortiSwitch boards per chassis, when installing only one FortiSwitch board per chassis, the slot position of the FortiSwitch board becomes an important consideration. A single FortiSwitch board should usually be installed in hub/switch slot 1 for FortiGate-5001A or FortiGate5005FA2 clusters and hub/switch slot 2 for FortiGate-5001SX and FortiGate-5001FA2 clusters. For details on the effects of slot positioning of a single FortiSwitch board in HA configurations, see “Slot position and HA heartbeat interface precedence” on page 77.

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

 

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Fortinet 5003A manual One FortiSwitch board per chassis

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.