Configuring virtual clustering with two VDOMs and VDOM partitioning – 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                              vexample2.com

Password                                   vHA_pass_2

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 (see Cluster virtual MAC addresses). 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 be able 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 interfaces of FGT_ha_1 and FGT_ha_2 to a switch connected to the Internet.

2. Connect the port5 interfaces of FGT_ha_1 and FGT_ha_2 to switch connected to the Internet.

You could use the same switch for the port1 and port5 interfaces.

3. Connect the port2 interfaces of FGT_ha_1 and FGT_ha_2 to a switch connected to the internal network.

4. Connect the port6 interfaces of FGT_ha_1 and FGT_ha_2 to a switch connected to the engineering network.

5. Connect the port3 interfaces of the cluster units together. You can use a crossover Ethernet cable or regular

Ethernet cables and a switch.

6. Connect the port4 interfaces of the cluster units together. You can use a crossover Ethernet cable or regular

Ethernet cables and a switch.

7. 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.

When negotiation is complete you can continue.

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