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Deploying FortiWLC Virtual Controllers on Hyper-V

8.5.2
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Deploying FortiWLC Virtual Controllers on Hyper-V

This section describes the virtual controller deplyoment procedure on Hyper-V. This section includes the following topics:

Note:
FWC-VM-1000 & FWC-VM-3000 are not supported on the Windows Hyper-V platform.

Pre-requisites

For deployment and management of the Virtual Controller on Hyper-V, install the following 3rd party software.

  • Install Windows server 2016.
  • Install the Hyper-V role.
  • Create a Hyper-V Vswitch.

Note: To accomplish the pre-requisites refer to the respective 3rd party documentation.

Downloading the Virtual Controller Package File

You can download the virtual controller packages from the Fortinet Customer Support website. To access the support website you need a Fortinet Customer Support account.

The file name is, forti-x.x-xbuild-0-x86_64.vhd.hv.zip, where x.x-x is the release version number. For example, 8.5.2.

Configuring the Virtual Controller

  1. Download the package file to C:\Users\Public\Documents\Hyper-V\Virtual hard disks and unzip it. The file should have a unique name and one file is used to create only one instance.
  2. Open the HYPER-V manager and select New > Virtual Machine.

    The Virtual Machine wizard is displayed.
  3. Configure the following settings in the Virtual Machinewizard:

    • Name and Location
    • Specify Generation – Select Generation 1.
    • Configure Networking
    • Connect Virtual Hard Disk – Select Use an existing virtual hard disk
  4. Click Finish. The virtual machine is listed.
  5. Select the newly created virtual machine and double-click. The settings are displayed.
  6. Specify the Number of virtual processors in the Processor settings.
  7. Select Enable MAC address spoofing in the Advanced Features settings to establish wireless connectivity.

    The Virtual Controller deployment is complete.
  8. Run the following command in secure shell on each instance to get the configured VLAN working.
    This is a sample command:
  9. Set-VMNetworkAdapterVlan -Trunk -AllowedVlanIdList "96" -VMName "Forti22" -VMNetworkAdapterName "Network Adapter" -NativeVlanId 0

Recommended Hyper-V Settings

Fortinet recommends the following settings for enhanced Controller performance.

  • Disable the default VMQ.
  • Enable RSS on all the adapters.
  • Tx and Rx buffers set to 4096.

Deploying FortiWLC Virtual Controllers on Hyper-V

This section describes the virtual controller deplyoment procedure on Hyper-V. This section includes the following topics:

Note:
FWC-VM-1000 & FWC-VM-3000 are not supported on the Windows Hyper-V platform.

Pre-requisites

For deployment and management of the Virtual Controller on Hyper-V, install the following 3rd party software.

  • Install Windows server 2016.
  • Install the Hyper-V role.
  • Create a Hyper-V Vswitch.

Note: To accomplish the pre-requisites refer to the respective 3rd party documentation.

Downloading the Virtual Controller Package File

You can download the virtual controller packages from the Fortinet Customer Support website. To access the support website you need a Fortinet Customer Support account.

The file name is, forti-x.x-xbuild-0-x86_64.vhd.hv.zip, where x.x-x is the release version number. For example, 8.5.2.

Configuring the Virtual Controller

  1. Download the package file to C:\Users\Public\Documents\Hyper-V\Virtual hard disks and unzip it. The file should have a unique name and one file is used to create only one instance.
  2. Open the HYPER-V manager and select New > Virtual Machine.

    The Virtual Machine wizard is displayed.
  3. Configure the following settings in the Virtual Machinewizard:

    • Name and Location
    • Specify Generation – Select Generation 1.
    • Configure Networking
    • Connect Virtual Hard Disk – Select Use an existing virtual hard disk
  4. Click Finish. The virtual machine is listed.
  5. Select the newly created virtual machine and double-click. The settings are displayed.
  6. Specify the Number of virtual processors in the Processor settings.
  7. Select Enable MAC address spoofing in the Advanced Features settings to establish wireless connectivity.

    The Virtual Controller deployment is complete.
  8. Run the following command in secure shell on each instance to get the configured VLAN working.
    This is a sample command:
  9. Set-VMNetworkAdapterVlan -Trunk -AllowedVlanIdList "96" -VMName "Forti22" -VMNetworkAdapterName "Network Adapter" -NativeVlanId 0

Recommended Hyper-V Settings

Fortinet recommends the following settings for enhanced Controller performance.

  • Disable the default VMQ.
  • Enable RSS on all the adapters.
  • Tx and Rx buffers set to 4096.