Technical Tip: How to convert a Hardware Switch or Software Switch into an Aggregate without reconfiguration

[johnathan]

Description	This article describes how to resolve a scenario where it is desired to convert a Hardware Switch or Software Switch into an Aggregate, but there is already a configuration present for that interface.
Scope	FortiOS 7.x.x, 6.4.x.
Solution	If it is necessary to convert a Hardware Switch or Software Switch into an aggregate without losing the config, it is required to back up the config file and restore it with some changes made.    Here is the Hardware Switch we will be turning into the aggregate:  Back up the config file and edit it in a program like Notepad++.  Find the ‘config system virtual-switch’ block, and delete it.  It is necessary to find the correct interface under ‘config system interface’.  There are two changes necessary to make. The first is to set the ‘type’ to ‘aggregate’, and the second is to define the members of that aggregate.  The command for that is ‘set member 'portx' 'porty' 'portz'.  It is possible to use the same ports as the previous switch, but it is not required.    Here is the config before the changes: Here is the config after the changes:    Now restore the config file to the FortiGate. Once done, it is possible to see that the aggregate is present: All references to that interface are kept: