The diagnose output shows multiple ADVPN tunnels (HUB1-VPN1, HUB1-VPN2, HUB1-VPN3) with detailed latency, jitter, and packet loss values being reported for each. In ADVPN, the spoke performs embedded health checks and provides the hub with the performance metrics for each tunnel. Therefore, the device in the exhibit is a spoke, and it is sending health-check measurements for each tunnel to the hub.

Within ADVPN topologies, shortcut requests and responses traverse spokes and hubs. Fortinet documentation states:

" When a spoke receives a shortcut query from another spoke, it may forward the response to its hub for validation or to facilitate dynamic shortcut tunnel setup. This mechanism allows direct spoke-to-spoke communication for optimized routing and performance, reducing latency and offloading the hub after initial control-plane mediation. "

This is a core benefit of ADVPN’s dynamic shortcut feature.

After using the SD-WAN overlay template, two mandatory post-run tasks remain:

" First, administrators must create and assign policy packages to branch devices, as security and access policies are not included in overlay templates. Second, SD-WAN rules must be configured so that traffic can be matched and steered appropriately through the established overlays. Neglecting either task results in ungoverned traffic or inefficient routing, undermining the benefits of SD-WAN. "

Templates automate topology, but policy and rule definition are critical for operational effectiveness.

When planning to deploy a large number of branches (e.g., 50), Fortinet recommends several preparatory steps to simplify and automate the rollout. Creating model devices allows you to predefine configurations and settings that can be cloned or adapted for each branch, saving time and minimizing manual errors. Preparing a Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) template enables automatic onboarding and provisioning of new FortiGates as soon as they come online, reducing manual intervention. Lastly, creating a policy blueprint allows for standardized policy deployment across all branches, ensuring consistent security and SD-WAN rule enforcement. This holistic approach streamlines the deployment process, allows for rapid scaling, and ensures that all devices are configured according to corporate policy from day one.

The provisioning templates in FortiManager are designed for flexible, scalable configuration of large SD-WAN deployments. The official documentation explains:

" Template groups can consist of both system and SD-WAN templates, providing a way to apply consistent settings across multiple devices. CLI templates are evaluated and executed in order from top to bottom within the template group, which is crucial for managing dependencies. Furthermore, CLI template groups can contain both regular CLI templates and advanced (Perl-script-based) templates, allowing complex or conditional configuration logic. "

This modular design streamlines large deployments by separating system, SD-WAN, and CLI logic into reusable building blocks.

The FortiManager SD-WAN overlay template preview, as described in the document, indicates:

" When the device is acting as a hub, the configuration enables the sending of ADVPN shortcut offers to spokes. This means the hub can facilitate on-demand dynamic shortcut tunnel creation between spokes, improving performance for branch-to-branch communication by bypassing the hub for inter-branch traffic after initial discovery. "

Such a role is critical in scalable ADVPN topologies, enabling hub devices to optimize overlays dynamically.