Managing FortiSwitches with a FortiGate (5.4)

Manage up to 16 FortiSwitches from the FortiGate web-based manager or CLI. You can create and assign VLANs and configure port information. The connection between the FortiSwitch and the FortiGate is called a FortiLink.

Prerequisites

1. Connect a cable from any FortiSwitch port to an unused internal port on the FortiGate. 
   1. If necessary, enable the port for FortiLink auto-discovery (using the FortiSwitch  CLI).
      -> In general, the last four copper ports on the FortiSwitch are enabled for auto-detect by default. Refer to the documents below for specific details.
2. You may need to enable the Switch Controller using the FortiGate web-based manager.
   1. Go to System > Config > Features.
   2. Turn on the WiFi & Switch Controller feature.
   3. Select Apply.
3. This recipe is applicable to FortiSwitchOS 3.3.0 and above.  

Procedure

From the FortiGate web-based manager:

1. Go to System > Network > Interfaces and edit the new FortiLink port.
2. Set Addressing mode to Dedicate to Extension Device.
3. Select OK.
4. Go to WiFi & Switch Controller > Managed Devices > Managed FortiSwitch. 
   -> This page displays the faceplate for each managed FortiSwitch. The FortiLink for the new managed switch will display as a dashed line (FortiLink connection not established).
   -> After a short delay (while FortiGate sets up the connection),  the FortiLink displays as a solid line (FortiLink established). For smaller FortiSwitch models, such as FS-108D-POE, the delay may be up to 3 minutes.  

Notes

1. In FortiOS 5.4, new FortiLink features include:
   1. POE configuration from the FortiGate.
   2. Link Aggregation Group (LAG) support for Fortilink.
   3. Auto-detect the switch FortiLink ports
   4. Improved user interface for Managed FortiSwitches, switch ports and VLANs. 
2. Refer to the document below to see the FortiSwitch and FortiGate models that support FortiLink.

For additional information, see Managing FortiSwitch with a FortiGate (FortiOS 5.4), which is also available in the FortiOS 5.4 Handbook.

The post Managing FortiSwitches with a FortiGate (5.4) appeared first on Fortinet Cookbook.