Forti High Availability using different hardware

[ChrisLedward]

Hi All,

Just a quick question as I couldn't find an answer either on here or generally across the web.

Is it possible to set up High Availability using two different Forti models? We have a 100F as our primary FW but would like to use a 100E model we have spare and set up HA in a active-passive mode. I have been advised by our external IT company that it is not possible but just wanted to double check.

I have matched the Firmware on the two devices but not sure on how the physical cabling would work, being that they are different models with different port arrangements?

Just to add some information about our set up; we have two VDOM's set up; WAN wise, we have two leased lines connected - one running using built-in WAN1 & WAN2 ports and the other using an SFP port (#13) as their uplinks.

Happy to provide more information.

Thanks in advance.

Chris 

[AEK · Accepted solution]

Hi Chris

It is not possible. Prerequisites is to have the same hardware and exactly the same FortiOS version.

Edit:  https://docs.fortinet.com/document/fortigate/6.2.16/cookbook/062403/introduction-to-the-fgcp-cluster

Read the first paragraph.

[ChrisLedward]

Hi AEK,

Thanks for the response and info, I should have looked harder!

Kind regards

Chris

[Yurisk]

I tried once, just for sport, it didn't form HA pair - secondary refused to join the cluster :).