Copying Configuration Between Two FortiGate Devices

[Hezekiah]

Hello,

I would like to ask if there is a proper guide or recommended method for copying the exact configuration from one FortiGate device to another. Both devices are running the same model and firmware version. Will the license differences have any effect on this process? To clarify, the licenses were purchased separately, but they provide the same functions.

My plan is to back up the configuration from the source device and then restore it to the target device. I also intend to configure these two units as an HA pair afterward. Before proceeding, I would like to confirm if this may cause any complications or if there are specific considerations I should be aware of.

Thank you in advance for your guidance.

[sw2090]

if you have the same models and same firmware you could do this. Hardware is the same, so interfaces etc are the same and so is firmware. Should not cause any issues so far.

HA afterwards afaik should be possible as it syncs itself then anyways.

Licenses don't affect the config itself. But they might affect the functionality if they are not valid (e.g. the Webfilter will start blocking everything if it is active on  a policy and there is no valid license for it. Licenses are tied to the device anyways and thus are not part of config backup. 

The FGT gets them via FortiGuard Services from Fortinet.