Contents
Overview 1
Pre-Installation 2
Network Load Balancing Driver Installation 7
Configuring the Network Load Balancing
Driver 8
Cluster Parameters 9
Host Parameters 13
Port Rules 15
TCP/IP Properties 23
Post-Installation Configuration 25
Lab A: Installing and Configuring the
Network Load Balancing Driver 27
Review 44

Module 9: Installing and
Configuring Network
Load Balancing Information in this document is subject to change without notice. The names of companies,
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General Manager: Robert Stewart Module 9: Installing and Configuring Network Load Balancing iii

Instructor Notes
This module provides students with the knowledge and skills to install and
configure a Network Load Balancing cluster.
After completing this module, students will be able to:
 Describe the pre-installation decisions for a clustering solution.
 Install the Network Load Balancing driver.
 Configure the Network Load Balancing driver.
 Select the appropriate settings on the Cluster Parameters tab.
 Select the appropriate settings on the Host Parameters tab.
 Select the appropriate port rules for the cluster.
 Determine the proper setting for the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP) stack.

 Network Load Balancing Driver Installation
Demonstrate the installation of the Network Load Balancing driver by using
the user interface.
 Configuring the Network Load Balancing Driver
Demonstrate configuration of the Network Load Balancing driver by means
of the Network Load Balancing Properties dialog box.
 Cluster Parameters
Demonstrate the configuration settings for the Cluster Parameter tab by
means of the user interface. Type in examples of a Primary IP address and a
full Internet name.
Explain the security issues with managing a Network Load Balancing
cluster from a remote location.
Discuss the differences between unicast and multicast and identify the
advantages of each mode.
 Host Parameters
Demonstrate the configuration settings for the Host Parameter tab.
Explain all of the dialog box settings.
 Port Rules
Demonstrate the configuration settings for the Port Rules tab by means of
the user interface.
Discuss the importance of maintaining consistent port rules across all of the
cluster hosts.
Demonstrate how to configure the filtering modes for the Network Load
Balancing driver by means of the user interface. Explain all of the dialog
box settings.
Demonstrate the configuration settings for the Affinity tab by means of the
user interface. Explain all of the dialog box settings.
Demonstrate the configuration settings for the Load Weighting and
Priority tab. Explain all of the dialog box settings.
 TCP/IP Properties

which one to select.
 Exercise 2
In this exercise students will examine the current configuration of their
network adapters. The IP addresses resolved during this exercise will have
been allocated during previous exercises. If your configuration constrains
the IP addresses in your classroom, you need to advise the students of the IP
addresses that they must use.


Module 9: Installing and Configuring Network Load Balancing 1

Overview
 Pre-Installation
 Network Load Balancing Driver Installation
 Configuring the Network Load Balancing Driver
 Cluster Parameters
 Host Parameters
 Port Rules
 TCP/IP Properties
 Post-Installation Configuration

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In this module, you will install and configure the Network Load Balancing
driver. You will learn how to configure the driver by selecting the appropriate
settings for the Network Load Balancing and TCP/IP Properties dialog
boxes.
Before you install the Network Load Balancing driver, you will complete a pre-
installation checklist that will determine if your network capacity and
configuration can meet your needs, you have configured the hosts correctly, and

Verify that the throughput of each host is documented
Verify that cluster members support client throughput
Verify that all IP addresses are manually allocated
Verify that TCP/IP is bound to the network card

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In designing a Network Load Balancing solution, you will collect all of the
relevant information that is required to configure your cluster, but initially there
are some common considerations that you must address for all of the cluster
solutions.
Prior to installing the first cluster host, complete the following tasks:
 Ensure that only TCP/IP is bound to the network card that you will use as
the cluster adapter. The Network Load Balancing driver intercepts and
supports all IP packets that the hardware driver of the cluster adapter
forwards. The Network Load Balancing driver only supports IP packets. If
other protocols, such as Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX), must be
supported, verify that you have installed multiple network interface cards
(NIC) in the computer.
 Ensure that the aggregate throughput of the subnet will support both cluster
IP and dedicated IP traffic for the required number of hosts. If the subnet
utilization is a concern, you can install multiple network cards or use round
robin DNS entries to allow for a reduction in the number of hosts per
cluster.
 Ensure that you have documented the throughput of each host. If you have
configured all of the cluster members identically, the throughput will be
similar.
For example, if all of your hosts have the same number of CPUs, clock
speed, and network cards, their throughput rate will be very similar. If your
computers have different clock speeds or number of CPUs, then the

cannot use DHCP-allocated addresses. If the address range that you use is
within a corporate DHCP group, ensure that the Cluster IP addresses are
excluded from any defined ranges.

4 Module 9: Installing and Configuring Network Load Balancing

Hardware Considerations
 No special hardware requirements
 Ethernet or FDDI
 All hosts on one broadcast subnet
 All host on one Level 2 switch or VLAN
 All hosts on a single hub or repeater
 Two NICs per host preferred:
 One NIC for cluster traffic and heartbeats
 One NIC for replications/backend access

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The Network Load Balancing driver runs within the cluster hosts as part of the
Microsoft
® Windows® 2000 Advanced Server operating system; it does not
require dedicated hardware support. The current version of the Network Load
Balancing driver operates on Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) or
Ethernet-based local area networks (LAN) within the cluster. All cluster
members should be on the same broadcast subnet, in the same virtual LAN, or
on a single hub.
While the Network Load Balancing driver will work successfully by using one
NIC, two NICs are preferred. Using two NICs will enable the cluster IP and
heartbeat traffic to operate on one NIC and IP traffic for an individual host to
operate on the second NIC; for example, when you use two NICs, traffic

switch flooding
Cluster host
Cluster host
Non-Cluster host
Non-Cluster host
Layer 2 switch
Layer 2 switch
Layer 1 hub
Layer 1 hub
Hub
Hub
Cluster host
Cluster host
Non-Cluster host
Non-Cluster host
Layer 2 switch
Layer 2 switch

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In many networks where collapsed backbone switching technology is used,
there are very large port counts available. Typically in these environments
individual computers are allocated a single switch port to provide maximum
possible bandwidth to the computer.
If the cluster hosts are directly connected to a switching hub or combined
switch/router to receive client requests, you must send incoming client traffic to
all of the switch ports that are supporting cluster hosts. After a switching hub
has identified which port a particular host (recognized by its MAC address) is
connected to, it will no longer duplicate inbound traffic to all of the ports.
Network Load Balancing service prevents a switching hub from identifying the

IP; for example where large file uploads use File Transfer Protocol (FTP),
the cluster IP will accept a large amount of inbound network traffic.
 Multiple clusters share a switch and their combined inbound traffic becomes
significant compared to the switch port capacity.
 A switch is configured to use ports to connect to a backbone network that
has a higher speed than those that are used to connect to cluster hosts. Under
this circumstance, switch occupancy can become high, reducing available
bandwidth on all of the ports.
For example, consider a multiple cluster solution, where a switch uses a
gigabit port to connect to a backbone and 100 megabits per second (Mbps)
ports for the individual cluster hosts, with a total inbound traffic average of
20 Mbps. Because all of the traffic will be reflected to all of the ports, the
switch occupancy will average 20 percent for all of the cluster hosts. One
solution to this scenario is to use multicast mode and set up a virtual LAN in
the switch to limit switch flooding.

Switch Flooding Solutions
You can avoid switch flooding problems by using two network adapters per
host on the cluster subnet to direct network traffic through the cluster hosts by
separating inbound and outbound data. Using two network adapters allows
incoming client traffic to flow through the switching hub for simultaneous
delivery to all of the hosts, while outgoing traffic flows directly to the switch
ports.
If you assign a gateway and interface metric for the dedicated adapter that is
less than the value assigned to the cluster adapter, the dedicated adapter will be
used for outbound traffic.
You can limit all of the traffic for a cluster to one switch port, thereby
conserving switch bandwidth. Connect the individual cluster members to a hub,
with the hub connected to a single switch port. This solution is viable providing
that a single port will support the maximum required throughput for the cluster.

Sharing
Intel® PRO/100+ Management Adapter
Co
mponents checked are used by this connection:
Client for Microsoft Networks
Network Load Balancing
Network Monitor Driver
Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
I
nstall… Uninstall Properties
This component provides TCP/IP load balancing functionality.
Show
icon in taskbar when connected
Cancel
Cancel
Close

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The Windows Network Load Balancing driver is associated with a single
network adapter in your computer. Configuring the properties of the network
adapter that will perform Network Load Balancing completes installation of the
driver. To avoid networking problems, follow these steps in the exact order
shown.
To install Network Load Balancing:
1. Open Network and Dial-up Connections.
2. Right-click the Local Area Connection on which you will install Network
Load Balancing, and then click Properties. The Local Area Connection
Properties dialog box appears.
3. Under Components checked are used by this connection, you see

ortan
t
8 Module 9: Installing and Configuring Network Load Balancing

Configuring the Network Load Balancing Driver
 Port Rules control
response to traffic
 Host Parameters
apply to default
traffic
 Cluster Parameters
apply to the cluster
Network Load Balancing Properties
Cluster Parameters
Primary I
P address 1 . 1 . 1 . 100
Subnet mask 255 . 255 . 255. 0
F
ull Internet name cluster.domain.com
N
etwork address 02-bf-01-01-01-64
M
ulticast support enabled
Remote password
C
onfirm password
Remote control enabled
Please consult on-line help for
configuration information
Host Parameters

unexpected execution errors.

Topic Objective
To provide an overview of
the Network Load Balancing
configuration process.
Lead-in
When you enable the
Network Load Balancing
driver, you can configure it
to provide the type of
service that is appropriate
for your Network Load
Balancing cluster plan.
Delivery Tip
Review each of the
components of the Network
Load Balancing Properties
dialog box.
Module 9: Installing and Configuring Network Load Balancing 9



 Cluster Parameters
 Set Cluster IP
 Set Cluster
Internet name
 Select Multicast
 Enable Remote
Control

To configure the Cluster Parameters tab:
1. Open Network and Dial-up Connections.
2. Right-click Local Area Connection, and then click Properties.
3. In the Local Area Connection Properties dialog box, click Network Load
Balancing, and then click Properties. The Network Load Balancing
Properties dialog box appears.
4. On the Cluster Parameters tab, specify values for Primary IP address,
Subnet mask, Full Internet name, Multicast support, and the remote
options, such as Remote password, Confirm password, and Remote
control, by using information from the installation checklist.

Primary IP Address and Subnet Mask
The primary address is a virtual IP address and must be set identically for all of
the hosts in the cluster. You use this IP address to address the cluster as a
whole, and it should be the IP address for the full Internet name that you specify
for the cluster. The subnet mask must be identical on all cluster members, as
they must be on the same subnet.
Full Internet Name
The full Internet name specifies the full Internet name for the Network Load
Balancing cluster. This name is used for the cluster as a whole, and should be
the same for all hosts in the cluster, the DNS aliases, but this entry must resolve
to the cluster virtual IP address.
Topic Objective
To configure the Cluster
Parameters tab.
Lead-in
The Cluster Parameters
tab contains the
configuration elements
associated with the virtual IP

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Network Load Balancing can use one of two IP protocol configurations, unicast
or multicast. By default, Network Load Balancing will use unicast. You must
decide whether the unicast mode will be suitable for your cluster. The Network Load Balancing service does not support a mixed
unicast and multicast environment. All cluster hosts should be either multicast
or unicast or the cluster will not function properly.

Network Load Balancing’s unicast mode induces switch flooding to
simultaneously deliver incoming network traffic to all of the cluster hosts. Also,
when Network Load Balancing uses multicast mode, switches often flood all of
the ports by default to deliver multicast traffic.
However, Network Load Balancing's multicast mode gives the administrator the
opportunity to limit switch flooding by configuring a virtual LAN within the
switch for the ports corresponding to the cluster hosts. You can configure a
virtual LAN by manually programming the switch or by using the Internet
Group Management Protocol (IGMP) or the Generic Attribute Registration
Protocol Multicast Registration Protocol.

The current version of Windows Network Load Balancing does not
provide automatic support for IGMP or Generic Attribute Registration Protocol
Multicast Registration Protocol.

Unicast Mode
The unicast operation uses a single MAC address for all of the operations
involving the cluster adapter. Using a single MAC address has the side effect of
disabling all communication between cluster hosts, because outgoing packets
for another cluster host are sent to the same MAC address as the sender. These

multiple NICs and usually multiple subnets.
 Multicast, if a single NIC is installed in the host. Multicast imposes
additional restrictions within a routed environment, in that the routers must
handle multicast information. Verify that any routers in your network path
will support cluster multicast Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) packets. It is recommended that you use Unicast with multiple NICs for
maximum flexibility in a routed environment.

Note
Module 9: Installing and Configuring Network Load Balancing 13

Host Parameters
 Set Unique ID
 Set initial state
 Set Dedicated IP
Address
Network Load Balancing Properties
Cluster Parameters
P
riority (Unique host ID) 1
Initial cluster state active
Dedicated I
P address 1 . 1 . 1 . 101
S
ubnet mask 255 . 255 . 255 . 0
Host Parameters
OK
Port Rules

Parameters tab.
Lead-in
The Host Parameters tab
contains the configuration
elements, which control the
priority for default traffic, the
start state for the cluster
software, and the dedicated
IP address for traffic that is
not associated with load
balancing.
Delivery Tip
Review each of the
components of the Host
Parameters tab.
Note
14 Module 9: Installing and Configuring Network Load Balancing

Initial Cluster State
The initial cluster state specifies whether Network Load Balancing should start
and whether the host should immediately join the cluster when Windows 2000
is starting. If you must start other services and applications before cluster
operations begin, you can clear this option so that the host will not join the
cluster before you have properly configured its services and applications. You
can then command a cluster host to join and leave the cluster by using the start
and stop commands in the Network Load Balancing command-line control.
Dedicated IP Address and Subnet Mask
The dedicated IP address and subnet mask specify that the host’s IP address be
used for network traffic that is not associated with the cluster (for example,
Telnet access to a specific host within the cluster). The dedicated IP address is

one Single Class C
L
oad weight 50 or Equal
H
andling priority 1
A
dd Modify Remove
Start End Protocol Mode Priority Load Affinity
80 80 Both Multiple Equal None
443 443 Both Multiple Equal None

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The Port Rules tab maximizes control of the various types of inbound TCP/IP
traffic by allowing you to configure the port rules to control the cluster network
traffic. By default there is a single rule which handles all of the traffic that is
inbound to the cluster virtual IP. You must modify or delete this rule, and create
other rules to handle incoming traffic appropriately for your cluster plan.
When configuring port rules on multiple members of a cluster you must ensure
that:
 For every rule that you configure, you will select the applicable port range
and protocols. You can set the port range to an individual port by entering
the same value in both dialog boxes and you can set the protocol to TCP,
UDP, or both.
 The rules that you enter on each host in the cluster must have matching
filtering mode, affinity, and load weight and priority. If Network Load
Balancing detects an inconsistent rule among the hosts in the cluster, it
records a message in the Windows event log.
 The number and type of rules must exactly match for each host in the
cluster. If a host attempts to join the cluster with a different number and type

To modify an existing port rule:
1. Click the Port Rules tab in the Network Load Balancing Properties
dialog box.
2. Click the rule within the list of rules to display that rule’s parameters in the
configuration area above the list of rules.
3. Modify the Port range, Protocols, and Filtering mode parameters as
required.
4. Click Modify.

To delete a port rule:
1. Click the Port Rules tab in the Network Load Balancing Properties
dialog box.
2. On the Port Rules tab, click the rule that you want to remove, and then
click Remove.

Module 9: Installing and Configuring Network Load Balancing 17

Filtering Mode
 Set Filtering mode
 For Single Host set
Handling Priority
Network Load Balancing Properties
Cluster Parameters
P
ort range 80 to 80
Host Parameters
Port Rules
Protocols T
CP UDP Both
Filtering mode


Multiple hosts Specifies that multiple hosts in the cluster handle network
traffic for the associated port rule.
Single host Specifies that a single host in the cluster, which is selected
according to the specified priority, will handle network traffic
for the associated port rule.
Disabled Specifies that all network traffic for the associated port rule be
blocked.

Topic Objective
To describe the selection of
the filtering mode on the
Port Rules tab.
Lead-in
The filtering mode for
Network Load Balancing is
the method by which a
cluster host handles a port’s
inbound network traffic to
the virtual IP address.
18 Module 9: Installing and Configuring Network Load Balancing

Your selection of multiple, single, or disabled hosts is based on the following
information:
 Select Multiple hosts when you want inbound traffic to be balanced across
cluster members. This setting allows all cluster hosts to share, to a defined
extent, all of the inbound client connection requests or UDP data streams.
 Select Single host when you want all inbound traffic to go to a single
member of the cluster. The highest priority host will service all inbound
traffic, and if this host fails, then the next highest priority host will handle

Multiple hosts
Si
ngle host
D
isabled
Affinity N
one Single Class C
L
oad weight 50 or Equal
H
andling priority 1
A
dd Modify Remove
Start End Protocol Mode Priority Load Affinity
80 80 Both Multiple Equal None
443 443 Both Multiple Equal None

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Depending on the application and client requirements of your Network Load
Balancing cluster, you can be required to select an Affinity setting to control
how multiple connections from a single client will be distributed in a load
balancing cluster.
By default affinity will be set to single after you install the Network Load
Balancing driver. You implement affinity by directing all client requests from
the same IP address, or a Class C group of addresses to the same cluster host.
The following table provides a summary of the affinity choices available to
you.
Client Affinity Action