Reference: HA Synchronization
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Reference: HA Synchronization

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Reference: HA Synchronization

If you have enabled configuration synchronization on both peers in an HA pair, most of the configuration settings you configure on one peer will automatically sync to the other peer upon commit. To avoid configuration conflicts, always make configuration changes on the active (active/passive) or active-primary (active/active) peer and wait for the changes to sync to the peer before making any additional configuration changes.
Only committed configurations synchronize between HA peers. Any configuration in the commit queue at the time of an HA sync will not be synchronized.

What Doesn't Sync in Active/Passive HA?

The following table indicates the settings that don't synchronize in active/passive HA. You must configure the settings on each firewall in the HA pair; these settings do not sync from one peer to another.
Configuration Item
What Doesn’t Sync in Active/Passive?
Management Interface Settings
All management configuration settings must be configured individually on each firewall, including:
  • DeviceSetupManagementGeneral Settings—Hostname, Domain, Login Banner, SSL/TLS Service Profile (and associated certificates), Time Zone, Locale, Date, Time, Latitude, Longitude.
  • DeviceSetupManagementManagement Interface Settings—IP Type, IP Address, Netmask, Default Gateway, IPv6 Address/Prefix Length, Default IPv6 Gateway, Speed, MTU, and Services (HTTP, HTTP OCSP, HTTPS, Telnet, SSH, Ping, SNMP, User-ID, User-ID Syslog Listener-SSL, User-ID Syslog Listener-UDP)
Multi-vsys Capability
You must activate the Virtual Systems license on each firewall in the pair to increase the number of virtual systems beyond the base number provided by default on PA-3200 Series, PA-5200 Series, PA-5450, and PA-7000 Series firewalls.
You must also enable Multi Virtual System Capability on each firewall (DeviceSetupManagementGeneral Settings).
Panorama Settings
Set the following Panorama settings on each firewall (DeviceSetupManagementPanorama Settings).
  • Panorama Servers
  • Disable Panorama Policy and Objects and Disable Device and Network Template
SNMP
DeviceSetupOperationsSNMP Setup
Services
DeviceSetupServices
Global Service Routes
DeviceSetupServicesService Route Configuration
Data Protection
DeviceSetupContent-IDManage Data Protection
Jumbo Frames
DeviceSetupSessionSession SettingsEnable Jumbo Frame
Packet Buffer Protection
DeviceSetupSessionSession SettingsPacket Buffer Protection
NetworkZonesEnable Packet Buffer Protection
Forward Proxy Server Certificate Settings
DeviceSetupSessionDecryption SettingsSSL Forward Proxy Settings
Master Key Secured by HSM
DeviceSetupHSMHardware Security Module ProviderMaster Key Secured by HSM
Log Export Settings
DeviceScheduled Log Export
Software Updates
With software updates, you can either download and install them separately on each firewall, or download them on one peer and sync the update to the other peer. You must install the update on each peer (DeviceSoftware).
GlobalProtect Agent Package
With GlobalProtect app updates, you can either download and install them separately on each firewall, or download them to one peer and sync the update to the other peer. You must activate separately on each peer (DeviceGlobalProtect Client).
Content Updates
With content updates, you can either download and install them separately on each firewall, or download them on one peer and sync the update to the other peer. You must install the update on each peer (DeviceDynamic Updates).
Licenses/Subscriptions
DeviceLicenses
Support Subscription
DeviceSupport
Master Key
The master key must be identical on each firewall in the HA pair, but you must manually enter it on each firewall (DeviceMaster Key and Diagnostics).
Before changing the master key, you must disable config sync on both peers (DeviceHigh AvailabilityGeneralSetup and clear the Enable Config Sync check box) and then re-enable it after you change the keys.
Reports, logs, and Dashboard Settings
Log data, reports, and Dashboard data and settings (column display, widgets) are not synced between peers. Report configuration settings, however, are synced.
HA settings
DeviceHigh Availability
DecryptionAfter a failover, firewalls do not support HA sync for decrypted SSL sessions.
Rule Usage Data
Rule usage data, such as hit count, Created, and Modified Dates, are not synced between peers. You need to log in to the each firewall to view the policy rule hit count data for each firewall or use Panorama to view information on the HA firewall peers.
Certificates for Device Management and Syslog Communication over SSL only
DeviceCertificate ManagementCertificates
Certificates used for device management or for syslog communication over SSL don’t synchronize with an HA peer.
Although the certificates used for the management interface are not synchronized (and can be different), the name of the certificate entry should be the same for the active and passive devices.
Certificates in a Certificate Profile
DeviceCertificate ManagementCertificate Profile
SSL/TLS Service Profile for Device Management only
DeviceCertificate ManagementSSL/TLS Service Profile
SSL/TLS Service Profile for Device Management doesn’t synchronize with an HA peer.
Device-ID and IoT Security
IP address-to-device mappings and policy rule recommendations don’t synchronize with an HA peer.

What Doesn't Sync in Active/Active HA?

The following table indicates the settings that don't synchronize in active/active HA. You must configure the settings on each firewall in the HA pair; these settings do not sync from one peer to another.
Configuration Item
What Doesn’t Sync in Active/Active?
Management Interface Settings
You must configure all management settings individually on each firewall, including:
  • DeviceSetupManagementGeneral Settings—Hostname, Domain, Login Banner, SSL/TLS Service Profile (and associated certificates), Time Zone, Locale, Date, Time, Latitude, Longitude.
  • DeviceSetupManagementManagement Interface Settings—IP Address, Netmask, Default Gateway, IPv6 Address/Prefix Length, Default IPv6 Gateway, Speed, MTU, and Services (HTTP, HTTP OCSP, HTTPS, Telnet, SSH, Ping, SNMP, User-ID, User-ID Syslog Listener-SSL, User-ID Syslog Listener-UDP)
Multi-vsys Capability
You must activate the Virtual Systems license on each firewall in the pair to increase the number of virtual systems beyond the base number provided by default on PA-3200 Series, PA-5200 Series, PA-5450, and PA-7000 Series firewalls.
You must also enable Multi Virtual System Capability on each firewall (DeviceSetupManagementGeneral Settings).
Panorama Settings
Set the following Panorama settings on each firewall (DeviceSetupManagementPanorama Settings).
  • Panorama Servers
  • Disable Panorama Policy and Objects and Disable Device and Network Template
SNMP
DeviceSetupOperationsSNMP Setup
Services
DeviceSetupServices
Global Service Routes
DeviceSetupServicesService Route Configuration
Telemetry and Threat Intelligence Settings
DeviceSetupTelemetry and Threat Intelligence
Data Protection
DeviceSetupContent-IDManage Data Protection
Jumbo Frames
DeviceSetupSessionSession SettingsEnable Jumbo Frame
Packet Buffer Protection
DeviceSetupSessionSession SettingsPacket Buffer Protection
NetworkZonesEnable Packet Buffer Protection
Forward Proxy Server Certificate Settings
DeviceSetupSessionDecryption SettingsSSL Forward Proxy Settings
HSM Configuration
DeviceSetupHSM
Log Export Settings
DeviceScheduled Log Export
Software Updates
With software updates, you can either download and install them separately on each firewall, or download them on one peer and sync the update to the other peer. You must install the update on each peer (DeviceSoftware).
GlobalProtect Agent Package
With GlobalProtect app updates, you can either download and install them separately on each firewall, or download them to one peer and sync the update to the other peer. You must activate separately on each peer (DeviceGlobalProtect Client).
Content Updates
With content updates, you can either download and install them separately on each firewall, or download them on one peer and sync the update to the other peer. You must install the update on each peer (DeviceDynamic Updates).
Licenses/Subscriptions
DeviceLicenses
Support Subscription
DeviceSupport
Ethernet Interface IP Addresses
All Ethernet interface configuration settings sync except for the IP address (NetworkInterfaceEthernet).
Loopback Interface IP Addresses
All Loopback interface configuration settings sync except for the IP address (NetworkInterfaceLoopback).
Tunnel Interface IP Addresses
All Tunnel interface configuration settings sync except for the IP address (NetworkInterfaceTunnel).
LACP System Priority
Each peer must have a unique LACP System ID in an active/active deployment (NetworkInterfaceEthernetAdd Aggregate GroupSystem Priority).
VLAN Interface IP Address
All VLAN interface configuration settings sync except for the IP address (NetworkInterfaceVLAN).
Virtual Routers
Virtual router configuration synchronizes only if you have enabled VR Sync (DeviceHigh AvailabilityActive/Active ConfigPacket Forwarding). Whether or not to do this depends on your network design, including whether you have asymmetric routing.
IPSec Tunnels
IPSec tunnel configuration synchronization is dependent on whether you have configured the Virtual Addresses to use Floating IP addresses (DeviceHigh AvailabilityActive/Active ConfigVirtual Address). If you have configured a floating IP address, these settings sync automatically. Otherwise, you must configure these settings independently on each peer.
GlobalProtect Portal Configuration
GlobalProtect portal configuration synchronization is dependent on whether you have configured the Virtual Addresses to use Floating IP addresses (NetworkGlobalProtectPortals). If you have configured a floating IP address, the GlobalProtect portal configuration settings sync automatically. Otherwise, you must configure the portal settings independently on each peer.
GlobalProtect Gateway Configuration
GlobalProtect gateway configuration synchronization is dependent on whether you have configured the Virtual Addresses to use Floating IP addresses (NetworkGlobalProtectGateways). If you have configured a floating IP address, the GlobalProtect gateway configuration settings sync automatically. Otherwise, you must configure the gateway settings independently on each peer.
QoS
QoS configuration synchronizes only if you have enabled QoS Sync (DeviceHigh AvailabilityActive/Active ConfigPacket Forwarding). You might choose not to sync QoS setting if, for example, you have different bandwidth on each link or different latency through your service providers.
LLDP
No LLDP state or individual firewall data is synchronized in an active/active configuration (NetworkNetwork ProfilesLLDP).
BFD
No BFD configuration or BFD session data is synchronized in an active/active configuration (NetworkNetwork ProfilesBFD Profile).
IKE Gateways
IKE gateway configuration synchronization is dependent on whether you have configured the Virtual Addresses to use floating IP addresses (NetworkIKE Gateways). If you have configured a floating IP address, the IKE gateway configuration settings sync automatically. Otherwise, you must configure the IKE gateway settings independently on each peer.
Master Key
The master key must be identical on each firewall in the HA pair, but you must manually enter it on each firewall (DeviceMaster Key and Diagnostics).
Before changing the master key, you must disable config sync on both peers (DeviceHigh AvailabilityGeneralSetup and clear the Enable Config Sync check box) and then re-enable it after you change the keys.
Reports, logs, and Dashboard Settings
Log data, reports, and dashboard data and settings (column display, widgets) are not synced between peers. Report configuration settings, however, are synced.
HA settings
  • DeviceHigh Availability
  • (The exception is DeviceHigh AvailabilityActive/Active ConfigurationVirtual Addresses, which do sync.)
DecryptionAfter a failover, firewalls do not support HA sync for decrypted SSL sessions.
Rule Usage Data
Rule usage data, such as hit count, Created, and Modified Dates, are not synced between peers. You need to log in to the each firewall to view the policy rule hit count data for each firewall or use Panorama to view information on the HA firewall peers.
Certificates for Device Management and Syslog Communication over SSL only
DeviceCertificate ManagementCertificates
Certificates used for device management or for syslog communication over SSL don’t synchronize with an HA peer.
Certificates in a Certificate Profile
DeviceCertificate ManagementCertificate Profile
SSL/TLS Service Profile for Device Management only
DeviceCertificate ManagementSSL/TLS Service Profile
SSL/TLS Service Profile for Device Management doesn’t synchronize with an HA peer.
Device-ID and IoT Security
IP address-to-device mappings and policy rule recommendations don’t synchronize with an HA peer.

System Runtime Information Synchronized Between HA Peers

The following table summarizes what system runtime information is synchronized between HA peers.
Runtime Information
Information Synced?
HA Link
Details
A/P
A/A
Management Plane
User to Group Mappings
Yes
Yes
HA1
User Mappings across Virtual Systems
Yes
Yes
HA1
User to IP Address Mappings
Yes
Yes
HA1
In an A/A configuration, only the Active-Primary peer connects to User-ID Servers or Agents, and not the Active-Secondary peer. If the Active-Primary peer is Suspended or offline, the Active-Secondary peer connects to the User-ID Servers or Agents.
DHCP Lease (as server)
Yes
Yes
HA1
If the PAN-OS versions on the HA peers don’t match, the DHCP Lease (as server) config information won’t sync.
DNS Cache
No
No
N/A
FQDN Refresh
No
No
N/A
IKE SAs [Security Associations] (phase 1)
No
No
N/A
Forward Information Base (FIB)
Yes
No
HA1
Multicast FIB (MFIB)
Yes
No
HA1
PAN-DB URL Cache
Yes
No
HA1
This is synchronized upon database backup to disk (every eight hours, when URL database version updates), or when the firewall reboots.
Content (manual sync)
Yes
Yes
HA1
PPPoE, PPPoE Lease
Yes
Yes
HA1
DHCP Client Settings and Lease
Yes
Yes
HA1
If the PAN-OS versions on the HA peers don’t match, the DHCP Client Settings and Lease config information won’t sync.
SSL VPN Logged in User List
Yes
Yes
HA1
Dataplane
Session Table
Yes
Yes
HA2
  • Active/passive peers do not sync ICMP or host session information.
  • Active/active peers do not sync host session, multicast session, or BFD session information.
    A host session is a session terminated on one of the firewall interfaces, such as an ICMP session pinging one of the firewall interfaces or a GP tunnel.
Multicast Session Table
Yes
No
HA2
ARP Table
Yes
No
HA2
Neighbor Discovery (ND) Table
Yes
No
HA2
MAC Table
Yes
No
HA2
IPSec SAs [Security Associations] (phase 2)
Yes
Yes
HA2
IPSec Sequence Number (anti-replay)
Yes
Yes
HA2
DoS Block List Entries
No
No
N/A
Virtual MAC
Yes
Yes
HA2
SCTP Associations
Yes
No
HA2

CLI Commands for HA Synchronization

You can use the following CLI operational command and options to synchronize HA peers:
username@hostname>request high-availability sync-to-remote
>candidate-config     Sync candidate configuration to peer
>clock                Sync the local time and date to the peer
>id-manager           id-manager
>running-config       Sync running configuration to peer
>ssh-key              Sync ha ssh key to peer
A configuration pushed from Panorama isn't synchronized between firewalls. If you use Panorama to manage firewalls, you could decide, for example, to use the no form of the following CLI configuration command to disable configuration synchronization on the firewalls:
username@hostname#set deviceconfig high-availability group configuration-synchronization enabled
no    no
yes   yes
Use the no form of the following CLI configuration command to disable state (session) synchronization on the firewalls:
username@hostname#set deviceconfig high-availability group state-synchronization enabled
no    no
yes   yes

Reasons That Synchronization Doesn't Happen

Sessions won't synchronize for the following reasons:
  • If you disable session (state) synchronization.
  • If the HA2 link or connection is down.
The HA configurations won't synchronize for the following reasons:
  • If you disabled configuration synchronization on either HA peer.
  • If the PAN-OS versions are incompatible on HA peers.
  • If configurations on HA peers are not already synchronized.
  • If Multi Virtual System Capability is enabled on one HA peer and not the other.
  • If GTP is enabled on one HA peer and not the other.
  • If SCTP is enabled on one HA peer and not the other.
  • If VPN is enabled on one HA peer and not the other.
  • If the same features aren't enabled on both HA peers.
  • If the dataplane and slots aren't ready on an HA peer.
  • If the URL databases are incompatible on the HA peers.
  • If the licenses aren't the same on the HA peers.
  • Additionally, a plugin mismatch might (not always) prevent configurations from synchronizing.