FortiGate
FortiGate Next Generation Firewall utilizes purpose-built security processors and threat intelligence security services from FortiGuard labs to deliver top-rated protection and high performance, including encrypted traffic.
DPadula
Staff
Staff
Article Id 269152
Description This article describes how to upgrade a HA virtual cluster mode with VDOM partitioning configured between three FortiGates where each FortiGate is the active device for one of the VDOMs.
Scope FortiGate v7.2.x and above.
Solution

In this scenario, three FortiGates are configured as a cluster with VDOM Partitioning and each one of them is the primary device for each of the three VDOMs (root, PROD, and TEST). During the upgrade process, each FortiGate will be rebooted and its active VDOM will become active in another FortiGate until the upgrade process is complete. 

 

FortiGate called FW-PRI has the root VDOM active, FW-SEC has PROD VDOM active, and finally, FW-THI has TEST VDOM active. 

 

diagram.PNG

This can be checked under System -> HA

 

HA GUI.PNG

 

Step 1: Go to System -> Fabric Management, select FortiGate, and select Upgrade.

 

Upgrade menu.PNG

Step 2: In this example, proceed with a manual upgrade by uploading the FortiOS file, but this is not necessary.

The automatic upgrade can be used as well. Select File Upload -> Browse, then select the file. Select Continue.

 

Upgrade to 7.2.5.PNG

 

Step 3: Wait for the process to finish, the FortiGate GUI will only show a message Validating and installing the image, the console access can be used to check the progress.

 

Note:

FW-SEC and FW-THI are being upgrading at the same time, only FW-PRI is active at this stage. If the total traffic of the three VDOMs combined is higher than the FortiGate specs the FortiGate will not be able to handle the total traffic and the process will fail.

 

FW-PRI active for all vdoms.PNG

Step 4: FW-PRI is being upgraded, FW-SEC and FW-THI are sharing the three VDOMs traffic between them, according to the priority values FW-SEC is the primary for root and PROD VDOMs and FW-THI is the primary for TEST.

 

upgrading primary.png

After FW-PRI reboot the HA status is back to normal.

 

back normal.png

 

Related article: 

Technical Tip: Configuring HA virtual cluster with VDOM Partitioning