Chapter 9 High Availability for FortiOS 5.0 : Configuring and connecting HA clusters : Troubleshooting HA clusters : Before you set up a cluster
  
Before you set up a cluster
Before you set up a cluster ask yourself the following questions about the FortiGate units that you are planning to use to create a cluster.
1. Do all the FortiGate units have the same hardware configuration? Including the same hard disk configuration and the same AMC cards installed in the same slots?
2. Do all FortiGate units have the same firmware build?
3. Are all FortiGate units set to the same operating mode (NAT or Transparent)?
4. Are all the FortiGate units operating in single VDOM mode?
5. If the FortiGate units are operating in multiple VDOM mode do they all have the same VDOM configuration?
 
In some cases you may be able to form a cluster if different FortiGate units have different firmware builds, different VDOM configurations, and are in different operating modes. However, if you encounter problems they may be resolved by installing the same firmware build on each unit, and give them the same VDOM configuration and operating mode.