Multi-WAN Methods and Dynamic Routing

If you use dynamic routing, you can use either the Routing Table or Round-Robin multi-WAN configuration method. Routes that use a gateway on an internal (optional or trusted) network are not affected by the multi-WAN method you select.

When to Use the Routing Table Method

The Routing Table method is a good choice if:

  • You enable dynamic routing (RIP, OSPF, or BGP) and the routers on the external network advertise routes to the Firebox so that the device can learn the best routes to external locations.
  • You must get access to an external site or external network through a specific route on an external network. Examples include:
  • You have a private circuit that uses a frame relay router on the external network.
  • You want all traffic to an external location to always go through a specific Firebox external interface.

The Routing Table method is the fastest way to load balance more than one route to the Internet. After you enable this option, the ECMP algorithm manages all connection decisions. No additional configuration is necessary on the Firebox.

Load balancing traffic to the Internet using ECMP is based on connections, not bandwidth.

When to Use the Round-Robin Method

Use the Round-Robin method if you want to distribute traffic to each external interface based on bandwidth rather than connections.

The weighted round-robin option gives you options to send more traffic through one external interface than another. At the same time, the round-robin algorithm distributes traffic to each external interface based on bandwidth, not connections. This gives you more control over how many bytes of data are sent through each ISP.

Related Topics

About Multi-WAN Methods

Configure the Routing Table Multi-WAN Method

Configure the Round-Robin Multi-WAN Method

Read the Firebox Route Tables