NSE4 High Availability and Diagnostics Practice Question
An active-passive HA cluster is experiencing frequent failovers. Which TWO factors could cause unnecessary failovers? (Choose two.)
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Using a data interface as the heartbeat interface
Incorrect heartbeat interface configuration (e.g., using a busy data port) can cause false positives. A mismatched HA password prevents proper communication, but may not cause failover; mismatched priority affects role selection, not failover frequency. Unstable heartbeat links cause failover.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Using a data interface as the heartbeat interface
Why this is correct
Data interfaces may have fluctuating link status, triggering failover.
- ✓
An unstable network link for the heartbeat
Why this is correct
Frequent link flaps cause repeated failovers.
- ✗
Different firmware versions on cluster members
Why it's wrong here
Would prevent cluster formation entirely.
- ✗
Mismatched HA passwords between cluster members
Why it's wrong here
Would prevent cluster formation, not cause frequent failovers.
- ✗
Mismatched HA priority values
Why it's wrong here
Priority only determines which unit becomes primary after failover, not frequency.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This NSE4 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Fortinet certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the NSE4 exam.