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Andy_G
Staff
Staff
Article Id 190817
Article
Description How to change from switch mode to interface mode.

This article is only applicable up to an including v4.0 MR1.

It does not apply to FortiOS 5.0 and above.

Components
  • FortiGate-200A (rev2 and up)
  • FortiGate-200B
  • FortiGate-100A (rev2 and up)
  • FortiGate-110C
  • FortiGate-80C - FortiGate Voice-80C
  • FortiGate-60B
  • FortiGate-60C
  • FortiWifi-60B
Steps or Commands

Issue

The models listed above allow you to change the Internal interface from 1 interface (called switch mode) to multiple(*) separate interfaces (called interface mode).

When changing between modes, the name of the internal interface can cause an error that prevents the change from happening.

(*) The number of separate interfaces available when changing to interface mode depends on the FortiGate model. For example, the FortiGate-200A will provide 4 separate interfaces, the FortiGate-60B / FortiWifi-60B / FortiGate-80C provide 6 separate interfaces, the FortiGate Voice-80C / FortiGate-110C  provide 8 separate interfaces.

Solution

The rename command used in this solution is only applicable up to and including FortiOS v4.0 MR1. 

Change the name of the internal interface using the CLI before changing the mode. This will avoid the error, and allow the change to happen properly.

Before changing the mode from switch to interface:

config system interface
   rename internal to internal3
end

Before changing the mode from interface to switch:

config system interface
   rename internal3 to internal
end

Please also check the related article "Troubleshooting Tip : Error message 'Interface switch is in use' or 'Interface internal is in use' or 'Entry is used' when changing internal-switch-mode"


Related Articles

Troubleshooting Tip: Error message "Interface switch is in use" or "Interface internal is in use" or...

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