Configuring ClusterXL in Bridge Mode - Active / Standby with Two Switches

Notes:

This procedure applies to both Check Point Appliances and Open Servers.
ClusterXL deployed in Active/Standby Bridge Mode Security Gateway or Virtual System that works as a Layer 2 bridge device for easy deployment in an existing topology., supports only two switches.

The Active/Standby Bridge Mode is the preferred mode in topologies that support it.

In the Active/Standby Bridge Mode, Cluster Two or more Security Gateways that work together in a redundant configuration - High Availability, or Load Sharing. Members work in High Availability mode.

For more information, see the R81 ClusterXL Administration Guide.

Example Topology with Two Switches

Item	Instructions
1	Network, which an administrator needs to divide into two Layer 2 segments. The ClusterXL in Bridge Mode connects between these segments.
2	First network segment.
3	Switch that connects the first network segment to one bridged subordinate interface (4) on the ClusterXL in Bridge Mode.
4	One bridged subordinate interface (for example, `eth1`) on the Cluster Members in Bridge Mode.
5	Dedicated Gaia Check Point security operating system that combines the strengths of both SecurePlatform and IPSO operating systems. Management Interface (1) Interface on a Gaia Security Gateway or Cluster member, through which Management Server connects to the Security Gateway or Cluster member. (2) Interface on Gaia computer, through which users connect to Gaia Portal or CLI. (for example, `eth0`) on the Cluster Members.
6	First Cluster Member Security Gateway that is part of a cluster. in Bridge Mode (for example, in the `Active` cluster state).
7	Network that connects dedicated synchronization interfaces (for example, `eth3`) on the ClusterXL in Bridge Mode.
8	Second Cluster Member in Bridge Mode (for example, in the `Standby` cluster state).
9	Another bridged subordinate interface (for example, `eth2`) on the Cluster Members in Bridge Mode.
10	Switch that connects the second network segment to the other bridged subordinate interface (9) on the ClusterXL in Bridge Mode.
11	Second network segment.

Procedure:

>	Best Practice - If you configure Bridge Mode Active / Standby, then disable STP, RSTP, and MSTP on the adjacent switches. See the applicable documentation for your switches.

Install the two Cluster Members

Step	Instructions
1	Install the Gaia Operating System: Installing the Gaia Operating System on Check Point Appliances Installing the Gaia Operating System on Open Servers
2	Follow Configuring Gaia for the First Time.
3	During the First Time Configuration Wizard, you must configure these settings: In the Installation Type window, select Security Gateway and/or Security Management. In the Products window: In the Products section, select Security Gateway Dedicated Check Point server that runs Check Point software to inspect traffic and enforce Security Policies for connected network resources. only. In the Clustering section, select these two options: Unit is a part of a cluster ClusterXL In the Secure Internal Communication window, enter the applicable Activation Key (between 4 and 127 characters long).

Step

Instructions

Install the Gaia Operating System:

Follow Configuring Gaia for the First Time.

During the First Time Configuration Wizard, you must configure these settings:

In the Installation Type window, select Security Gateway and/or Security Management.
In the Products window:
1. In the Products section, select Security Gateway Dedicated Check Point server that runs Check Point software to inspect traffic and enforce Security Policies for connected network resources. only.
2. In the Clustering section, select these two options:
  - Unit is a part of a cluster
  - ClusterXL
In the Secure Internal Communication window, enter the applicable Activation Key (between 4 and 127 characters long).

Configure the ClusterXL object in High Availability mode in SmartConsole

You can configure the ClusterXL object in either Wizard Mode, or Classic Mode.

Configuring the ClusterXL object in Wizard Mode

Step

Instructions

Connect with SmartConsole Check Point GUI application used to manage a Check Point environment - configure Security Policies, configure devices, monitor products and events, install updates, and so on. to the Security Management Server Dedicated Check Point server that runs Check Point software to manage the objects and policies in a Check Point environment within a single management Domain. Synonym: Single-Domain Security Management Server. or Domain Management Server Check Point Single-Domain Security Management Server or a Multi-Domain Security Management Server. that should manage this ClusterXL.

From the left navigation panel, click Gateways & Servers.

Create a new Cluster object in one of these ways:

From the top toolbar, click the New () > Cluster > Cluster.
In the top left corner, click Objects menu > More object types > Network Object > Gateways and Servers > Cluster > New Cluster.
In the top right corner, click Objects Pane > New > More > Network Object > Gateways and Servers > Cluster > Cluster.

In the Check Point Security Gateway Cluster Creation window, click Wizard Mode.

On the Cluster General Properties page:

In the Cluster Name field, enter the applicable name for this ClusterXL object.
Configure the main Virtual IP address(es) for this ClusterXL object.

In the Cluster IPv4 Address section, enter the main Virtual IPv4 address for this ClusterXL object.

In the Cluster IPv6 Address section, enter the main Virtual IPv6 address for this ClusterXL object.
In the Choose the Cluster's Solution field, select Check Point ClusterXL and High Availability.
Click Next.

On the Cluster members' properties page, add the objects for the Cluster Members.

Click Add > New Cluster Member.

The Cluster Member Properties window opens.
In the Name field, enter the applicable name for this Cluster Member object.

Configure the main physical IP address(es) for this Cluster Member object.

In the IPv4 Address and IPv6 Address fields, configure the same IPv4 and IPv6 addresses that you configured on the Management Connection page of the Cluster Member's First Time Configuration Wizard.

Make sure the Security Management Server or Multi-Domain Server Dedicated Check Point server that runs Check Point software to host virtual Security Management Servers called Domain Management Servers. Synonym: Multi-Domain Security Management Server. Acronym: MDS. can connect to these IP addresses.

Note - You can configure the Cluster Virtual IP address to be on a different network than the physical IP addresses of the Cluster Members. In this case, you must configure the required static routes on the Cluster Members.

In the Activation Key and Confirm Activation Key fields, enter the same Activation Key you entered during the Cluster Member's First Time Configuration Wizard.
Click Initialize.
Click OK.
Repeat Steps a-f to add the second Cluster Member, and so on.

If the Trust State field does not show Trust established, perform these steps:

Connect to the command line on the Cluster Member.
Make sure there is a physical connectivity between the Cluster Member and the Management Server (for example, pings can pass).

Run:

cpconfig

Enter the number of this option:

Secure Internal Communication

Follow the instructions on the screen to change the Activation Key.
In SmartConsole, click Reset.
Enter the same Activation Key you entered in the cpconfig menu.
In SmartConsole, click Initialize.

On the Cluster Topology page, configure the roles of the cluster interfaces:

Examine the IPv4 Network Address at the top of the page.

Select the applicable role:

For cluster traffic interfaces, select Representing a cluster interface and configure the Cluster Virtual IPv4 address and its Net Mask.

For cluster synchronization interfaces, select Cluster Synchronization and select Primary only. Check Point cluster supports only one synchronization network.
For interfaces that do not pass the traffic between the connected networks, select Private use of each member (don't monitor members interfaces).

Click Next

On the Cluster Definition Wizard Complete page:

Examine the Configuration Summary.
Select Edit Cluster's Properties.
Click Finish

The Gateway Cluster Properties window opens.

On the General Properties page > Machine section:

In the Name field, make sure you see the configured applicable name for this ClusterXL object.
In the IPv4 Address and IPv6 Address fields, configure the same IPv4 and IPv6 addresses that you configured on the Management Connection page of the Cluster Member's First Time Configuration Wizard.

Make sure the Security Management Server or Multi-Domain Server can connect to these IP addresses.

On the General Properties page > Platform section, select the correct options:

In the Hardware field:

If you install the Cluster Members on Check Point Appliances, select the correct appliances series.

If you install the Cluster Members on Open Servers, select Open server.
In the Version field, select R81.
In the OS field, select Gaia.

On the General Properties page:

On the Network Security tab, make sure the ClusterXL Software Blade Specific security solution (module): (1) On a Security Gateway, each Software Blade inspects specific characteristics of the traffic (2) On a Management Server, each Software Blade enables different management capabilities. is selected.
Enable the additional applicable Software Blades on the Network Security tab and on the Threat Prevention tab.

Important - See the Supported Software Blades in Bridge Mode and Limitations in Bridge Mode sections in Deploying a Security Gateway or a ClusterXL in Bridge Mode.

On the Cluster Members page:

Click Add > New Cluster Member.

The Cluster Member Properties window opens.
In the Name field, enter the applicable name for this Cluster Member object.

Configure the main physical IP address(es) for this Cluster Member object.

In the IPv4 Address and IPv6 Address fields, configure the same IPv4 and IPv6 addresses that you configured on the Management Connection page of the Cluster Member's First Time Configuration Wizard.

Make sure the Security Management Server or Multi-Domain Server can connect to these IP addresses.

Click Communication.
In the One-time password and Confirm one-time password fields, enter the same Activation Key you entered during the Cluster Member's First Time Configuration Wizard.
Click Initialize.
Click Close.
Click OK.
Repeat Steps a-h to add the second Cluster Member, and so on.

If the Trust State field does not show Trust established, perform these steps:

Connect to the command line on the Cluster Member.
Make sure there is a physical connectivity between the Cluster Member and the Management Server (for example, pings can pass).

Run:

cpconfig

Enter the number of this option:

Secure Internal Communication

Follow the instructions on the screen to change the Activation Key.
In SmartConsole, click Reset.
Enter the same Activation Key you entered in the cpconfig menu.
In SmartConsole, click Initialize.

On the ClusterXL and VRRP page:

In the Select the cluster mode and configuration section, select High Availability and ClusterXL.
In the Tracking section, select the applicable option.

In the Advanced Settings section:

Optional: Select Use State Synchronization.

>	Best Practice - We recommend to select this option.

For more information, click the (?) button in the top right corner.

Optional: Select Use Virtual MAC.

For more information, see sk50840.
Select the Cluster Member recovery method.

For more information, click the (?) button in the top right corner.

On the Network Management page:

Select each interface and click Edit. The Network: <Name of Interface> window opens.
From the left tree, click the General page.

In the General section, in the Network Type field, select the applicable type:

For cluster traffic interfaces, select Cluster.

Make sure the Cluster Virtual IPv4 address and its Net Mask are correct.

For cluster synchronization interfaces, select Sync or Cluster+Sync.

Notes:

We do not recommend the configuration Cluster+Sync.
Check Point cluster supports only these settings:
- One Sync interface.
- One Cluster+Sync interface.
- One Sync interface and one Cluster+Sync interface.
For Check Point Appliances or Open Servers:

The Synchronization Network is supported only on the lowest VLAN tag of a VLAN interface.

For interfaces that do not pass the traffic between the connected networks, select Private.

In the Member IPs section, make sure the IPv4 address and its Net Mask are correct on each Cluster Member.

Notes:

For a ClusterXL in High Availability mode that is deployed in a Cloud environment (Geo Cluster):

You can configure IP addresses that belong to different networks on cluster synchronization interfaces and on cluster traffic interfaces.
For cluster traffic interfaces, you can configure the Cluster Virtual IP address to be on a different network than the physical IP addresses of the Cluster Members. In this case, you must configure the required static routes on the Cluster Members.See the R81 ClusterXL Administration Guide.

In the Topology section:
- Make sure the settings are correct in the Leads To and Security Zone fields.
- Make sure to enable the Anti-Spoofing.

Important:

Make sure the Bridge interface and Bridge subordinate interfaces are not in the Topology.
You cannot define the Topology of the Bridge interface. It is External by default.

Click OK.

Publish the SmartConsole session.

Configuring the ClusterXL object in Classic Mode

Step

Instructions

Connect with SmartConsole to the Security Management Server or Domain Management Server that should manage this ClusterXL.

From the left navigation panel, click Gateways & Servers.

Create a new Cluster object in one of these ways:

From the top toolbar, click the New () > Cluster > Cluster.
In the top left corner, click Objects menu > More object types > Network Object > Gateways and Servers > Cluster > New Cluster.
In the top right corner, click Objects Pane > New > More > Network Object > Gateways and Servers > Cluster > Cluster.

In the Check Point Security Gateway Creation window, click Classic Mode.

The Gateway Cluster Properties window opens.

On the General Properties page > Machine section:

In the Name field, make sure you see the configured applicable name for this ClusterXL object.
In the IPv4 Address and IPv6 Address fields, configure the same IPv4 and IPv6 addresses that you configured on the Management Connection page of the Cluster Member's First Time Configuration Wizard.

Make sure the Security Management Server or Multi-Domain Server can connect to these IP addresses.

On the General Properties page > Platform section, select the correct options:

In the Hardware field:

If you install the Cluster Members on Check Point Appliances, select the correct appliances series.

If you install the Cluster Members on Open Servers, select Open server.
In the Version field, select R81.
In the OS field, select Gaia.

On the General Properties page:

On the Network Security tab, make sure the ClusterXL Software Blade is selected.
Enable the additional applicable Software Blades on the Network Security tab and on the Threat Prevention tab.

Important - See the Supported Software Blades in Bridge Mode and Limitations in Bridge Mode sections in Deploying a Security Gateway or a ClusterXL in Bridge Mode.

On the Cluster Members page:

Click Add > New Cluster Member.

The Cluster Member Properties window opens.
In the Name field, enter the applicable name for this Cluster Member object.

Configure the main physical IP address(es) for this Cluster Member object.

In the IPv4 Address and IPv6 Address fields, configure the same IPv4 and IPv6 addresses that you configured on the Management Connection page of the Cluster Member's First Time Configuration Wizard.

Make sure the Security Management Server or Multi-Domain Server can connect to these IP addresses.

Click Communication.
In the One-time password and Confirm one-time password fields, enter the same Activation Key you entered during the Cluster Member's First Time Configuration Wizard.
Click Initialize.
Click Close.
Click OK.
Repeat Steps a-h to add the second Cluster Member, and so on.

If the Trust State field does not show Trust established, perform these steps:

Connect to the command line on the Cluster Member.
Make sure there is a physical connectivity between the Cluster Member and the Management Server (for example, pings can pass).

Run:

cpconfig

Enter the number of this option:

Secure Internal Communication

Follow the instructions on the screen to change the Activation Key.
In SmartConsole, click Reset.
Enter the same Activation Key you entered in the cpconfig menu.
In SmartConsole, click Initialize.

On the ClusterXL and VRRP page:

In the Select the cluster mode and configuration section, select High Availability and ClusterXL.
In the Tracking section, select the applicable option.

In the Advanced Settings section:

Optional: Select Use State Synchronization.

>	Best Practice - We recommend to select this option.

For more information, click the (?) button in the top right corner.

Optional: Select Use Virtual MAC.

For more information, see sk50840.
Select the Cluster Member recovery method.

For more information, click the (?) button in the top right corner.

On the Network Management page:

Select each interface and click Edit. The Network: <Name of Interface> window opens.
From the left tree, click the General page.

In the General section, in the Network Type field, select the applicable type:

For cluster traffic interfaces, select Cluster.

Make sure the Cluster Virtual IPv4 address and its Net Mask are correct.

For cluster synchronization interfaces, select Sync or Cluster+Sync.

Notes:

We do not recommend the configuration Cluster+Sync.
Check Point cluster supports only these settings:
- One Sync interface.
- One Cluster+Sync interface.
- One Sync interface and one Cluster+Sync interface.
For Check Point Appliances or Open Servers:

The Synchronization Network is supported only on the lowest VLAN tag of a VLAN interface.

For interfaces that do not pass the traffic between the connected networks, select Private.

In the Member IPs section, make sure the IPv4 address and its Net Mask are correct on each Cluster Member.

Notes:

For a ClusterXL in High Availability mode that is deployed in a Cloud environment (Geo Cluster):

You can configure IP addresses that belong to different networks on cluster synchronization interfaces and on cluster traffic interfaces.
For cluster traffic interfaces, you can configure the Cluster Virtual IP address to be on a different network than the physical IP addresses of the Cluster Members. In this case, you must configure the required static routes on the Cluster Members.See the R81 ClusterXL Administration Guide.

In the Topology section:
- Make sure the settings are correct in the Leads To and Security Zone fields.
- Make sure to enable the Anti-Spoofing.

Important:

Make sure the Bridge interface and Bridge subordinate interfaces are not in the Topology.
You cannot define the Topology of the Bridge interface. It is External by default.

Click OK.

Publish the SmartConsole session.

Configure the applicable Security Policies for the ClusterXL in SmartConsole

Step

Instructions

Connect with SmartConsole to the Security Management Server or Domain Management Server that manages this ClusterXL Cluster.

From the left navigation panel, click Security Policies Collection of rules that control network traffic and enforce organization guidelines for data protection and access to resources with packet inspection..

Create a new policy and configure the applicable layers:

At the top, click the + tab (or press CTRL T).
On the Manage Policies tab, click Manage policies and layers.
In the Manage policies and layers window, create a new policy and configure the applicable layers.
Click Close.
On the Manage Policies tab, click the new policy you created.

Create the applicable rules in the Access Control and Threat Prevention policies.

Important - See the Supported Software Blades in Bridge Mode and Limitations in Bridge Mode sections in Deploying a Security Gateway or a ClusterXL in Bridge Mode.

Install the Access Control Policy on the ClusterXL object.

Install the Threat Prevention Policy on the ClusterXL object.

Examine the cluster configuration

Step

Instructions

Connect to the command line on each Cluster Member.

Examine the cluster state in one of these ways:

In Gaia Clish The name of the default command line shell in Check Point Gaia operating system. This is a restricted shell (role-based administration controls the number of commands available in the shell)., run:

show cluster state

In the Expert mode, run:

cphaprob state

Example output:

Member1> show cluster state
 
Cluster Mode:   High Availability (Active Up) with IGMP Membership
 
ID         Unique Address  Assigned Load   State          Name
 
1 (local)  11.22.33.245    100%            ACTIVE         Member1
2          11.22.33.246    0%              STANDBY        Member2

Examine the cluster interfaces in one of these ways:

In Gaia Clish, run:

show cluster members interfaces all

In the Expert mode, run:

cphaprob -a if

Enable the Active/Standby Bridge Mode on both Cluster Members

Item

Instructions

Connect to the command line on each Cluster Member.

Run:

cpconfig

Select Enable Check Point ClusterXL for Bridge Active/Standby.

Enter y to confirm.

Reboot each Cluster Member.

Connect with SmartConsole to the Security Management Server or Domain Management Server that manages this ClusterXL.

Install the Access Control Policy on this cluster object.

Examine the cluster configuration

Step

Instructions

Connect to the command line on each Cluster Member.

Examine the cluster state in one of these ways:

In Gaia Clish, run:

show cluster state

In the Expert mode, run:

cphaprob state

Example output:

Member1> show cluster state
 
Cluster Mode:   High Availability (Active Up, Bridge Mode) with IGMP Membership
 
ID         Unique Address  Assigned Load   State          Name
 
1 (local)  11.22.33.245    100%            ACTIVE         Member1
2          11.22.33.246    0%              STANDBY        Member2

Examine the cluster interfaces in one of these ways:

In Gaia Clish, run:

show cluster members interfaces all

In the Expert mode, run:

cphaprob -a if