Installation guide

C HAPTER 2
Network Security Platform Failover Architecture
McAfee
®
Network Security Platform was built with high availability in mind. In fact, those
who initially become confused by the possibilities around McAfee Network Security
Platform failover usually do so because the implementation is actually simpler than they
assume initially.
Note the following points regarding Network Security Platform failover architecture:
• Sensors are invisible at Layer 2 and above; the monitoring ports do not even have
MAC addresses.
• Sensors configured for failover confirm a “heartbeat” once each second.
• Sensors configured for failover share flow information in real time.
As a result, you do not have to worry about Layer 2 and 3 topology changes when you
introduce Network Security Platform failover into the environment; and in the unlikely event
of a Sensor failure, failover is instantaneous and connection state is maintained.
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