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Quick Answer
The answer is that you must verify all interfaces are included in the HA configuration, the load-balance method is set to either 'load-balance' or 'weighted-load-balance', and session-pickup is enabled. In active-active HA, session failover relies on proper session ownership distribution across cluster members; if the load-balance method is incorrectly set to 'hub' or 'spoke', the cluster cannot synchronize sessions correctly, causing failover to fail. On the Fortinet NSE 4 exam, this question tests your understanding of how active-active differs from active-passive—specifically that session-pickup must be explicitly enabled for failover, while all interfaces must be monitored to avoid split-brain scenarios. A common trap is assuming 'hub' or 'spoke' modes support failover, but these are designed for hub-and-spoke topologies, not load sharing. Remember the mnemonic "LIP" for active-active failover: Load-balance method, all Interfaces, and session-Pickup.
NSE4 System and Network Administration Practice Question
This NSE4 practice question tests your understanding of system and network administration. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A FortiGate is configured in active-active HA mode. An administrator notices that session failover is not working properly during a failover event. Which THREE configurations should be checked?
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
✓
Ensure the load-balance method is set to 'load-balance' or 'weighted-load-balance'.
Option A is correct because in active-active HA mode, the load-balance method must be set to 'load-balance' or 'weighted-load-balance' to ensure that session ownership is properly distributed and that session failover can occur. If the method is set to 'hub' or 'spoke', session synchronization and failover may not function as expected, as these modes are designed for different topologies.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume session failover is solely dependent on enabling session synchronization, overlooking the critical requirement that the load-balance method must be correctly set for active-active mode to distribute and synchronize sessions properly.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Session failover in active-active HA relies on the FortiGate's session synchronization mechanism, which uses UDP port 703 to replicate session tables between cluster members. The load-balance method determines how traffic is distributed and which unit owns a session; if set incorrectly, sessions may not be synchronized to the backup unit, causing failover to drop active connections. Additionally, all interfaces must be included in the HA configuration to ensure that session synchronization traffic is allowed across the entire cluster.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the NSE4 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this NSE4 question test?
System and Network Administration — This question tests System and Network Administration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Ensure the load-balance method is set to 'load-balance' or 'weighted-load-balance'. — Option A is correct because in active-active HA mode, the load-balance method must be set to 'load-balance' or 'weighted-load-balance' to ensure that session ownership is properly distributed and that session failover can occur. If the method is set to 'hub' or 'spoke', session synchronization and failover may not function as expected, as these modes are designed for different topologies.
What should I do if I get this NSE4 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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