Configuring the new FortiGate

1. Enter this command to reset the new FortiGate to factory default settings:

execute factoryreset

You can skip this step if the new FortiGate is fresh from the factory. But if its configuration has been changed at all it's recommended to set it back to factory defaults to reduce the chance of synchronization problems.

2. If required, change the firmware running on the new FortiGate to match the cluster firmware version.
3. Register and apply licenses to the new FortiGate before configuring it for HA operation. This includes licensing for FortiCare Support, IPS, AntiVirus, Web Filtering, Mobile Malware, FortiClient, FortiCloud, Security Rating, Outbreak Prevention, and additional virtual domains (VDOMs). All FortiGates in the cluster must have the same level of licensing for FortiGuard, FortiCloud, FortiClient, and VDOMs. You can add FortiToken licenses at any time because they're synchronized to all cluster members.

If the FortiGates in the cluster will run FortiOS Carrier, apply the FortiOS Carrier license before you configure the cluster (and before applying other licenses). When you applying the FortiOS Carrier license the FortiGate resets its configuration to factory defaults, requiring you to repeat steps performed before applying the license.



4. Change the host name of the new FortiGate to identify it as Backup-2 by clicking on the System Information dashboard widget and selecting Configure settings in System > Settings and changing the Host name.



You can also enter this CLI command:

config system global

set hostname Backup-2

end

5. Duplicate the primary FortiGate HA settings, except set the Device Priority to a lower value (for example, 50) and do not enable override.

config system ha

set mode a-p

set group-id 100

set group-name My-cluster

set password <password>

set priority 50

set hbdev lan4 200 lan5 100

end

Once you enter the CLI command the new FortiGate negotiates to establish an HA cluster. You may temporarily lose connectivity with the FortiGate while FGCP negotiation takes place and the FortiGate interface MAC addresses change to HA virtual MAC addresses.

If these steps don't start HA mode, make sure that none of the FortiGate's interfaces use DHCP or PPPoE addressing.

If the group ID is the same, the backup FortiGate interfaces get the same virtual MAC addresses as the primary FortiGate. You can check Network > Interfaces on the GUI or use the get hardware nic command.