How to Configure Packet-Based Balancing for VPN Tunnels with SD-WAN

Packet-Based Balancing distributes traffic on a per-packet basis over multiple VPN transports in the same transport class. VPN transports using Packet-Based Balancing must have the same bandwidth and latency (Round Trip Time). In most cases, using Adaptive Session Balancing is preferable to Packet-Based Balancing because it allows for different link-quality requirements.

Limitations

• VPN transports must be in the same transport class.
• WAN links must have the same bandwidth and latency. For example: multiple identical WAN links from the same ISP.

Before You Begin

Create a multi-transport VPN tunnel between two CloudGen Firewalls:

• Create a TINA site-to-site VPN tunnel. For more information, see How to Create a TINA VPN Tunnel between CloudGen Firewalls or How to Create a VPN Tunnel with the VPN GTI Editor.
• Add one or more additional transports in the same SD-WAN class to the VPN tunnel. For more information, see How to Add a VPN Transport to a TINA VPN Tunnel with Explicit Transport Selection or How to Configure SD-WAN Using the VPN GTI Editor.

Step 1. Enable Packet-Based Balancing

Packet-Based Balancing must be enabled for all transports in the transport class.

1. Go to CONFIGURATION > Configuration Tree > Box > Assigned Services > VPN-Service > Site to Site VPN.
2. Click Lock.
3. Double-click the TINA VPN tunnel. The TINA Tunnel window opens.
4. Click the Advanced tab.
5. In the SD-WAN section, select the Packet Balancing inside a Provider Class check box.
   
6. Click OK.
7. Click Send Changes and Activate.

Step 2. Create a Custom Connection Object for the SD-WAN Primary

1. Go to CONFIGURATION > Configuration Tree > Box > Assigned Services > Firewall > Forwarding Rules.   
2. In the left menu, click Connections.
3. Right-click the table and select New Connection. The Edit/Create a Connection Object window opens.  
4. Enter a Name
5. From the Translated Source IP list, select Original Source IP.
   
6. To edit the VPN SD-WAN   settings, click Edit/Show . The SD-WAN Settings window opens.
   
7. From the SD-WAN Learning Policy list, select Primary.
   
8. From the Primary Transport Class list, select the primary transport class.
   
9. From the Primary Transport ID list, select the ID for the primary transport.
   
   
10. From the Secondary Transport Class list, select the same transport class used for the primary transport.
    
11. From the Secondary Transport ID list, select the ID for the secondary transport.
    
12. Click OK.
13. Click Send Changes and Activate.

Step 3. Create a Custom Connection Object for the SD-WAN Secondary

1. Go to CONFIGURATION > Configuration Tree > Box > Assigned Services > Firewall > Forwarding Rules.   
2. In the left menu, click Connections.
3. Right-click the table and select New Connection. The Edit/Create a Connection Object window opens.  
4. Enter a Name.
5. From the Translated Source IP list, select Original Source IP.
   
6. To edit the VPN SD-WAN settings, click Edit/Show. The SD-WAN Settings window opens.
7. From the SD-WAN Learning Policy drop-down list, select Secondary.
   
8. Click OK.
9. Click Send Changes and Activate.

Step 4. Modify Access Rule on the Firewall Acting as SD-WAN Primary

1. Go to CONFIGURATION > Configuration Tree > Box > Assigned Services > Firewall > Forwarding Rules.
2. Click Lock.
3. Right-click the ruleset and select New > Rule to create an access rule to match the VPN traffic you want to balance:
   
   • Action –  Select Pass.
   • Bi-Directional – Select the check box to apply the rule in both directions.
   • Source – Select a network object for all local networks. 
   • Service – Select a service object from the list.
   • Destination – Select the network object containing the remote networks.
   • Connection Method – Select the connection object for the SD-WAN primary created in Step 2.
   
4. Click OK.
5. Click Send Changes and Activate.

Step 5. Modify Access Rule on the Firewall Acting as SD-WAN Secondary.

1. Go to CONFIGURATION > Configuration Tree > Box > Assigned Services > Firewall > Forwarding Rules.
2. Click Lock.
3. Right-click the ruleset and select New > Rule to create an access rule to match the VPN traffic you want to balance:  
   
   • Action – Select Pass.
   • Bi-Directional – Select the check box to apply the rule in both directions.
   • Source – Select a network object for all local networks. 
   • Service – Select a service object from the list.
   • Destination – Select the network object containing the remote networks.
   • Connection Method – Select the connection object for the SD-WAN secondary created in Step 3.
   a
4. Click OK.
5. Click Send Changes and Activate.

Traffic matching these access rules and using the VPN transports are now balanced per packet within the transport class.