Failover Feature/Platform Matrix; Failover Times By Platform - Cisco PIX 500 Series Configuration Manual

Understanding Failover
If all network tests fail for an interface, but this interface on the other unit continues to successfully pass
traffic, then the interface is considered to be failed. If the threshold for failed interfaces is met, then a
failover occurs. If the other unit interface also fails all the network tests, then both interfaces go into the
"Unknown" state and do not count towards the failover limit.
An interface becomes operational again if it receives any traffic. A failed security appliance returns to
standby mode if the interface failure threshold is no longer met.
If a failed unit does not recover and you believe it should not be failed, you can reset the state by entering
Note
the failover reset command. If the failover condition persists, however, the unit will fail again.

Failover Feature/Platform Matrix

Table 14-4
Table 14-4 Failover Feature Support by Platform
Platform
ASA 5505 adaptive security
appliance
ASA 5500 series adaptive security
appliance (other than the ASA
5505)
PIX 500 series security appliance

Failover Times by Platform

Table 14-5
appliance.
Table 14-5 PIX 500 series security appliance failover times.
Failover Condition
Active unit loses power or stops normal operation.
Active unit interface link down.
Active unit interface up, but connection problem
causes interface testing.
Table 14-6
security appliance.
Cisco Security Appliance Command Line Configuration Guide
14-18
shows the failover features supported by each hardware platform.
Cable-Based LAN-Based
Failover Failover
No Yes
No Yes
Yes Yes
shows the minimum, default, and maximum failover times for the PIX 500 series security
Minimum
800 milliseconds
500 milliseconds
5 seconds
shows the minimum, default, and maximum failover times for the ASA 5500 series adaptive
Stateful Active/Standby
Failover Failover
No Yes
Yes Yes
Yes Yes
Default
45 seconds
5 seconds
25 seconds
Chapter 14 Configuring Failover
Active/Active
Failover
No
Yes
Yes
Maximum
45 seconds
15 seconds
75 seconds
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