Configuring full-mesh HA – web-based manager

Each cluster unit must have the same HA configuration.

 

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. Go to System > HA and change the following settings.

Mode                                  Active-Active

 

Group Name	Rexample1.com
Password	RHA_pass_1
Heartbeat Interface
	Enable	Priority
port5	Select	50
port6	Select	50

6. 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 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

 

6. Power off the first FortiGate unit.

7. Repeat these steps for the second FortiGate unit.

Set the second FortiGate unit host name to:

 

New Name                                  FGT_ha_2