Enabling the WAN Failover OptionUser Guide 83Enabling the WAN Failover OptionThe WAN Failover option supplies redundant support for the exter-nal interface. With this option, the Firebox® X Edge starts a connec-tion through the WAN2 port when the primary external interface(WAN1) cannot send traffic. Companies use this option if they musthave a constant Internet connection. You must have a second Inter-net connection to use this option. You can have a second broadbandconnection, or use an external modem connected to the Edge tosupply a failover Internet connection.It is not necessary to configure new services to use this option. Thefailover interface uses the same services and network properties asthe external interface.The Firebox uses two procedures to see if the external interface isfunctional:• The status of the link between the external interface and thedevice it is connected to (usually a router)• A ping command to a specified locationThe Firebox sends a ping to the default gateway or a computerspecified by the administrator. If there is no reply, the Fireboxchanges to the secondary external network interface (WAN2).When you enable the WAN Failover feature, the Firebox does thefollowing:• If the WAN1 interface connection stops, the Firebox starts touse the WAN2 interface.• If the WAN2 interface connection stops, the Firebox starts touse the WAN1 interface.• If the WAN1 interface and the WAN2 interface stop, the Fireboxtries the two interfaces until it makes a connection.When the WAN2 interface is in use, the Edge will monitor the pri-mary (WAN1) interface. When the WAN1 interface becomes avail-able, the Edge will automatically go back to using the WAN1interface.To configure the WAN failover network:1 Connect one end of a straight-through Ethernet cable to theWAN2 interface. Connect the other end to the source of the
