New feature: FortiGate Hardware Switch Interface

hardware_switch

Virtual switch feature enables you create virtual switches on top of the physical switch(es) with designated interfaces/ports so that a virtual switch can build up its forwarding table through learning and forward traffic accordingly. When traffic is forwarded among interfaces belonging to the same virtual switch, the traffic doesn’t need to go up to the software stack, but forwarded directly by the switch. When traffic has to be relayed to interfaces not on the virtual switch, the traffic will go through the normal data path and be offloaded to NP4 when possible.

This feature is only available on mid to high end FortiGate units, including the 100D, 600C, 1000C, and 1240B.

To enable and configure the virtual switch, enter the CLI commands:

hardware_switch_code

8 thoughts on “New feature: FortiGate Hardware Switch Interface

  1. C.K. Reply

    Hi there,

    useful to anyone searching this topic.
    The hardware switch feature is now (fortios 5.2.2 and above(?)) also available on some minor models like 60D, 90D etc.

    • mp Post authorReply

      Hi,
      Yes, most of the new hardware models support now hardware switches.
      It depends on the hardware and is supported with newer FortiOS.

  2. Alberto Reply

    Hi, What is the meaning of Redundant Interface, where I can find a description?

    Thx

    • vla Reply

      Hi Vadim,
      As mentioned in the Article, “This feature is only available on mid to high end FortiGate units, including the 100D, 600C, 1000C, and 1240B.”. The FortiGate 200E has no integrated Switching Fabric and therefore this feature is not available on this platform.

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