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Determining the network topology

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Determining the network topology

The FortiGate unit requires an active FortiLink interface to manage all of the subtending FortiSwitch units (called stacking).

You can configure the FortiLink as a physical interface or as a logical interface (associated with one or more physical interfaces). Depending on the network topology, you can also configure a standby FortiLink.

NOTE: For any of the topologies:

  • All of the managed FortiSwitch units will function as one Layer-2 stack where the FortiGate unit manages each FortiSwitch separately.
  • The active FortiLink carries data as well as management traffic.

This section covers the following topics:

Determining the network topology

The FortiGate unit requires an active FortiLink interface to manage all of the subtending FortiSwitch units (called stacking).

You can configure the FortiLink as a physical interface or as a logical interface (associated with one or more physical interfaces). Depending on the network topology, you can also configure a standby FortiLink.

NOTE: For any of the topologies:

  • All of the managed FortiSwitch units will function as one Layer-2 stack where the FortiGate unit manages each FortiSwitch separately.
  • The active FortiLink carries data as well as management traffic.

This section covers the following topics: