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sims
sims
Explorer II
March 30, 2019
Solved

software switch and hardware switch

  • March 30, 2019
  • 2 replies
  • 23530 views

Hi,

When we need to use  software and hardware switch , what are the use case scenario. I saw most of the implementation does not  added any sort of switch in fortigate . 

Thanks

    Best answer by Toshi_Esumi

    For smaller models of FortiGate 30E, 50E, 60E, ..., LAN side interfaces/ports are bundled in a hardware switch like "lan" or "internal" by default. So that if you add a VLAN interface to it, all ports have the same tagged vlan.

    Without a software switch interface, you can't bind both LAN(wired) interfaces and WiFi SSID interfaces together into one interface, like FortiWiFi models have in their default config.

    2 replies

    Toshi_Esumi
    SuperUser
    Toshi_EsumiAnswer
    SuperUser
    March 31, 2019

    For smaller models of FortiGate 30E, 50E, 60E, ..., LAN side interfaces/ports are bundled in a hardware switch like "lan" or "internal" by default. So that if you add a VLAN interface to it, all ports have the same tagged vlan.

    Without a software switch interface, you can't bind both LAN(wired) interfaces and WiFi SSID interfaces together into one interface, like FortiWiFi models have in their default config.

    sims
    simsAuthor
    Explorer II
    March 31, 2019

    Hi,

    Thanks for the reply . 

    What you mean by the below , please explain 

    you can't bind both LAN(wired) interfaces and WiFi SSID interfaces together into one interface, like FortiWiFi models have in their default config.

    Thanks

    Toshi_Esumi
    SuperUser
    Toshi_Esumi
    SuperUser
    April 1, 2019

    A hard switch can have members only ports controled by "switching hardware" like sw0. SSID interfaces are obviously logical interfaces and nothing to do with sw0. That's why a soft switch is needed. You can understand when you take a look at members of those default interface in GUI you will see them. Or you can easily test it with your FGxx to confirm this.

    Markus
    Markus
    New Member
    April 1, 2019

    one thing to know, be aware that software switch stop offloading to np https://forum.fortinet.co...p;m=171412&mpage=1  

    Toshi_Esumi
    SuperUser
    Toshi_Esumi
    SuperUser
    April 1, 2019

    Good to know. Thanks Markus.

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