NSE7 Advanced Networking and SD-WAN Practice Question
A network admin needs to configure a FortiGate to load balance traffic across two ISP links using SD-WAN. The requirement is to use both links simultaneously for different sessions based on source-destination IP hash. Which two settings are required? (Select TWO.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse 'load balancing algorithm' (like source-dest-ip-hash) with 'strategy' (like best quality) or assume that performance SLAs are mandatory for any SD-WAN rule, when in fact SLAs are only needed for dynamic path selection based on link quality.
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
✓
Create an SD-WAN zone with both WAN members
An SD-WAN zone is a logical grouping of WAN members (interfaces) that allows FortiGate to treat multiple ISP links as a single entity for load balancing and redundancy. Without creating a zone that includes both WAN members, the SD-WAN rules cannot reference them collectively for traffic distribution. Option B is correct because the 'source-dest-ip-hash' load balancing algorithm ensures that sessions with the same source and destination IP pair are consistently forwarded over the same link, enabling per-session load balancing across both ISPs simultaneously.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Create an SD-WAN zone with both WAN members
Why this is correct
Members must be added to the SD-WAN zone.
- ✓
Configure an SD-WAN rule with load balancing algorithm 'source-dest-ip-hash'
Why this is correct
This algorithm distributes sessions based on source and destination IP hash.
- ✗
Add a performance SLA for each member
Why it's wrong here
Performance SLA is optional; load balancing can work without it.
- ✗
Set the rule strategy to 'best quality'
Why it's wrong here
Best quality selects the best link, not load balancing.
- ✗
Enable 'spillover' under the SD-WAN rule
Why it's wrong here
Spillover is a different algorithm.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This NSE7 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 NSE7 exam.