# Maestro Orchestrator fails to add a new Security Appliance to a Security Group when Fastforward is enabled

**Product**: Maestro HyperScale Firewall  
**Version**: R82, R82.10  
**OS**: Gaia  
**Platform**: Maestro Orchestrator  
**Last Modified**: 2026-04-06

## Symptoms

- Gaia Portal on the Maestro Orchestrator shows "`Failed to apply topology`" after adding a new Security Appliance to a Security Group and clicking " **Apply**" (in the "Orchestrator Management" section, click the "Security Groups" page).

- Adding a new Security Appliance to a Security Group in Gaia Clish on the Maestro Orchestrator fails with:

```
set maestro security-group apply-new-config

Traceback (most recent call last):
    File "/usr/lib/smo/libssm_sg.py", line XXX, in calc_summary_on_local
      rc = running_sgdb.sanity()
    File "/usr/lib/smo/libssm_sg.py", line XXX, in sanity
      self._sanity_fastforward()
    File "/usr/lib/smo/libssm_sg.py", line XXX, in _sanity_fastforward
      used_interfaces = output[0].split(',')
                        ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
TypeError: a bytes-like object is required, not 'str'
```

- These errors appear in the `/var/log/ssm_sg.log.dbg` file on the Maestro Orchestrator:

```
<DATE TIME>,XXX _sanity_fastforward INFO Sanity - Checking fastforward used interfaces

<DATE TIME>,XXX is_fastforward_enabled INFO Executing: tor_util fastforward feature state, res = 0, output = b'1'

<DATE TIME>,XXX _sanity_fastforward INFO Executing: tor_util fastforward show _used_interfaces 1, res = 0

<DATE TIME>,XXX calc_summary_on_local ERROR Failed to verify changes. Exception: a bytes-like object is required, not 'str' with traceback: Traceback (most recent call last):

File "/usr/lib/smo/libssm_sg.py", line XXX, in calc_summary_on_local

orch_sg_config.sanity()

File "/usr/lib/smo/libssm_sg.py", line XXX, in sanity

self._sanity_fastforward()

File "/usr/lib/smo/libssm_sg.py", line XXX, in _sanity_fastforward

used_interfaces = output[0].split(',')

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
TypeError: a bytes-like object is required, not 'str'
```

- Maestro Fastforward is enabled in the Security Group.

## Solution

This problem was fixed. The fix is included in:

- [Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator for R82.10](https://sc1.checkpoint.com/documents/Jumbo_HFA/R82.10/Default.htm) starting from Take 6  
- [Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator for R82](https://sc1.checkpoint.com/documents/Jumbo_HFA/R82/Default.htm) starting from Take 73

If you choose not to upgrade, Check Point can supply a **Hotfix**. [Contact Check Point Support](https://www.checkpoint.com/support-services/.contact-support/) to get a Hotfix for this issue.

A Support Engineer will make sure the Hotfix is compatible with your environment before providing the Hotfix.

For faster resolution and verification, please collect [CPinfo files](http://supportcontent.checkpoint.com/solutions?id=sk92739) from the Security Management Server and Security Gateways involved in the case.

**Hotfix installation instructions:**

Refer to [sk168597 - How to install a Hotfix](https://supportcenter.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doGoviewsolutiondetails=&solutionid=sk168597).

As an immediate temporary **workaround**:

1. Disable the Fastforward feature in the Security Group.
2. Add the new Security Appliance to the Security Group.
3. Enable the Fastforward feature in the Security Group.

#### NOTE

This solution has been verified for the specific scenario, described by the combination of Product, Version and Symptoms. It may not work in other scenarios.

## Article Properties

**Access Level**: General  
**Status**: Approved by TAC  
**Date Created**: 2025-11-03  
**Last Modified**: 2026-04-06