Example: IPS Cluster serial inline deployment

This scenario shows an example of an IPS Cluster in a serial inline deployment.

The following illustration shows the interfaces of the inline IPS Cluster.

In this example, the IPS Cluster consists of two nodes. Interface ID 0 is a Normal Interface used for the heartbeat communication between the nodes. Interface ID 1 is a Normal Interface used for communication with the Management Server. Interface ID 2 and Interface ID 3 are an Inline Interface pair that share one Logical Interface, called Inline. Traffic enters each IPS node through Interface ID 2 and leaves through Interface ID 3.

The administrators:

Create an IPS Cluster element and select the Log Server to which the IPS Cluster sends event data and traffic recordings.
Define Interface ID 0 as a Normal Interface and add IP addresses for each of the nodes. The IP address on Interface ID 0 is automatically selected as the Primary Control IP address, the Primary Heartbeat Interface, and the Log communication source IP Address.
Define Interface ID 1 as a Normal Interface and add IP addresses for each of the nodes.
Define Interface IDs 2 and 3 as an Inline Interface pair and select the Logical Interface called Inline for the pair.
Select Interface ID 0 as the Primary Heartbeat Interface and select the IP address on Interface ID 1 as the Primary Control IP address in the Interface Options.
Save the initial configuration of the engine in the Management Client.
Connect the Heartbeat and Inline Interfaces between the nodes with crossover cables, and the rest of the interfaces with straight cables.
Map the interface IDs to the physical interfaces in the NGFW Initial Configuration Wizard and make initial contact with the Management Server.
Install an IPS Policy on each of the nodes in the Management Client to transfer the configuration to the IPS Cluster.