NSE7 Advanced Networking and SD-WAN Practice Question
An administrator is configuring an SD-WAN rule that uses the 'volume' load balancing algorithm. The rule includes two members: port1 with a volume ratio of 3, and port2 with a volume ratio of 1. Which two statements correctly describe how the FortiGate will distribute sessions? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is thinking that volume ratios are percentages or that the algorithm fills one link completely before using the next.
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
✓
The FortiGate will send approximately 75% of sessions to port1 and 25% to port2.
The volume load balancing algorithm distributes sessions based on configured volume ratios. With ratios of 3 and 1, port1 receives three times the traffic volume of port2, resulting in approximately 75% and 25% distribution. The algorithm continuously uses both members according to these ratios as long as they are alive. It does not fill one member before using the other, nor does it require percentages that sum to 100.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The FortiGate will send sessions to port1 until its volume limit is reached, then switch to port2.
Why it's wrong here
The volume algorithm does not fill one member completely before using the next. Instead, it distributes sessions according to the configured volume ratios from the start. There is no 'fill and spill' behavior; that is characteristic of spillover or failover scenarios. The volume algorithm aims to maintain the specified proportion of traffic on each member continuously.
- ✗
The volume ratio must be configured as a percentage that totals 100%.
Why it's wrong here
The volume ratio is not a percentage; it is a relative weight. You can assign any positive integer values, such as 3 and 1, and the FortiGate calculates the proportion based on the sum. It does not need to total 100. The ratios are used to compute the distribution, so 3:1 is valid and results in 75% and 25% respectively.
- ✓
The FortiGate will send approximately 75% of sessions to port1 and 25% to port2.
Why this is correct
With volume ratios of 3 and 1, the total ratio is 4. Port1 gets 3/4 (75%) and port2 gets 1/4 (25%) of the traffic volume. The volume algorithm distributes sessions based on these ratios, so approximately 75% of sessions will be sent to port1 and 25% to port2, assuming both members are alive and have available bandwidth.
- ✗
The volume algorithm will only use port2 if port1 is down or fails its SLA.
Why it's wrong here
The volume algorithm actively uses both members according to their ratios as long as they are alive. It does not treat port2 as a backup. If port1 fails, then port2 would take over all traffic, but during normal operation, both members are used in proportion to their volume ratios. This option describes a failover behavior, not load balancing.
- ✓
The volume ratio is used to calculate the proportion of total traffic volume that each member should carry.
Why this is correct
The volume ratio defines the relative amount of traffic each member should handle. For example, a ratio of 3:1 means port1 should carry three times the volume of port2. The FortiGate uses these ratios to distribute new sessions, aiming to achieve the specified proportion over time. This is the fundamental principle of the volume load balancing algorithm.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Fortinet exam blueprint
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.