Newbie question: ClusterXL vs HA

[hotice_]

Guys,
I have somewhat of a newbie question so please indulge me.

I'm confused as to the difference between ClusterXL vs High Availability.

Assuming we are in a 100% SPLAT world,

1)Do we HAVE to buy ClusterXL to have High availability even though we only want to do simple Active/Backup configuration?

2) Am I correct in assuming that ClusterXL IS mandatory in Load Sharing mode (either Unicast or Multicast Modes)

3) Well depending on answer of Q1, when I install a cluster in active/passive mode, do I Need to install ClusterXL module?

[sebastan_bach]

hi clusterXL is th core component of high. availability in checkpoint.

in high availability there are 2 mode one is high availability which is ur active/passive setup where in only one firewall is active at a time. the other mode is load sharing mode also called active/active which could be either multicast or unicast mode.

without clusterXL u cannot achieve any kind of high availability in checkpoint.

hope this clears ur doubt.

regards

sebastan

[cciesec2006]

in your situation, you do NOT have to buy ClusterXL license for
Active/Standby. You DO have to purchase ClusterXL load-sharing
license if you want to go with Active/Active multicast or unicast mode

[hotice_]

Originally Posted by sebastan_bach

without clusterXL u cannot achieve any kind of high availability in checkpoint.

Originally Posted by cciesec2006

in your situation, you do NOT have to buy ClusterXL license for
Active/Standby.

Now I'm even more confused...I KNOW that if I one either LOAD sharing mode, I need Cluster XL...but if I DON'T need it and only wish Active/backup...?

[chillyjim]

ClusterXL comes in two flavors:

1. HA - High Availability (active/standby), this license is included with UTM & Power licenses

2. LS - Load Sharing (Active/Active), This is a for-charge license.

Note -- ClusterXL with Load Sharing is included with all Power and Integrated (aka FireFly) appliances as well as with the multi-core (U2, U4 and U8) licenses.

[hotice_]

Originally Posted by chillyjim

ClusterXL comes in two flavors:

1. HA - High Availability (active/standby), this license is included with UTM & Power licenses

2. LS - Load Sharing (Active/Active), This is a for-charge license.

Note -- ClusterXL with Load Sharing is included with all Power and Integrated (aka FireFly) appliances as well as with the multi-core (U2, U4 and U8) licenses.

So a Power license contains ClusterXL for either HA modes (load sharing or active/passive).

Also, in my situation, i.e. a simple HA active/passive installation, I *would* have to install the ClusterXL module when installing SPLAT correct?

[chillyjim]

Originally Posted by hotice_

So a Power license contains ClusterXL for either HA modes (load sharing or active/passive).

No, not the Power license but the Power-1 appliance.

Also, in my situation, i.e. a simple HA active/passive installation, I *would* have to install the ClusterXL module when installing SPLAT correct?

Yes you need to install it, but in active/standby it does not require a license.

[hotice_]

Thanks this clears it up!