Software Secure Firewall Threat Defense
Platform Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual
Activity Onboard

Avoiding Interrupted Failover and Data Links

We recommend that failover links and data interfaces travel through different paths to decrease the chance that all interfaces fail at the same time. If the failover link is down, the failover operation is suspended until the health of the failover link is restored.

See the following connection scenarios to design a resilient failover network.

Scenario 1—Not Recommended

If a single switch or a set of switches are used to connect both failover and data interfaces between two Firewall Threat Defense devices, then when a switch or inter-switch-link is down, both Firewall Threat Defense devices become active. Therefore, the two connection methods shown in the following figures are not recommended.

Connecting
				through a single switch. Not recommended.
Figure 1: Connecting with a Single Switch���Not Recommended
Connecting
				with a double switch. Not recommended.
Figure 2: Connecting with a Double-Switch—Not Recommended

Scenario 2—Recommended

We recommend that failover links not use the same switch as the data interfaces. Instead, use a different switch or use a direct cable to connect the failover link, as shown in the following figures.

Connecting
				with a different switch.
Figure 3: Connecting with a Different Switch
Connecting
				with a cable.
Figure 4: Connecting with a Cable

Scenario 3—Recommended

If the Firewall Threat Defense data interfaces are connected to more than one set of switches, then a failover link can be connected to one of the switches, preferably the switch on the secure (inside) side of network, as shown in the following figure.

Connecting
				with a secure switch.
Figure 5: Connecting with a Secure Switch