33. Configuring Network Load Balancing in Windows Server 2019

Summary

This video tutorial guides viewers through the process of installing and configuring Network Load Balancing (NLB) on Windows Server 2019. The presenter sets up a three-node NLB cluster using virtual machines, with one acting as a domain controller. The tutorial covers installing NLB, creating a cluster, and configuring it with priority settings and port rules. It concludes with a demonstration of accessing the NLB cluster using the cluster's IP address, showcasing the load balancing in action.

Takeaways

• 😀 Windows Server 2000 19 Network Load Balancing (NLB) is a popular feature for high availability and redundancy in Windows-based networks.
• 🌐 NLB clusters can have up to 32 nodes, and network traffic is distributed evenly across the nodes using a virtual network address.
• 💻 The demonstration uses three Windows Server 2000 19 virtual machines running in VirtualBox, including a domain controller and two member servers.
• 🔧 The first step in setting up NLB is to install the feature on the member servers through the 'Add Roles and Features' wizard.
• 📡 After installation, the Network Load Balancing Manager is used to configure the NLB cluster by connecting to existing clusters or creating a new one.
• 🛠️ The configuration includes specifying the IP address of the host to be added, setting the host priority, and defining the initial host state.
• 🔄 The NLB cluster operation mode can be set to unicast or multicast, with multicast requiring less additional configuration and being used in this demo.
• 🚀 Port rules are defined for the NLB cluster, specifying which ports the cluster will manage, such as ports 80 and 443 for web services.
• 🔄 Affinity settings determine how network traffic is distributed among the NLB nodes, with options like 'Single', 'Group', and 'None'.
• 🌐 Testing the NLB cluster involves accessing the cluster's IP address with a web browser, demonstrating the load balancing in action by alternating between nodes.
• 🎉 The successful configuration is indicated by green icons on the NLB Manager, showing that the cluster is operational and load balancing is working as expected.

Q & A

What is Network Load Balancing (NLB) and why is it used in Windows-based networks?

Network Load Balancing (NLB) is a high availability and redundancy feature used in Windows-based networks to distribute network traffic evenly across multiple servers, enhancing reliability and performance.

What is the maximum number of nodes supported in a Windows Server 2000 19 NLB cluster?

A Windows Server 2000 19 NLB cluster can have up to 32 nodes.

What is the purpose of the virtual network address created when setting up an NLB cluster?

The virtual network address, which includes an IP address and a MAC address, is used to distribute incoming network traffic evenly across all nodes in the cluster.

How many Windows Server 2000 19 virtual machines are used in the demo, and what are their roles?

Three Windows Server 2000 19 virtual machines are used in the demo. One acts as a domain controller with Active Directory and DNS roles, while the other two are member servers where the NLB feature will be installed and configured.

What is the static IP address assigned to the first virtual machine in the demo?

The static IP address assigned to the first virtual machine is 172.1.8.72.

What is the process to install the Network Load Balancing feature on a Windows Server 2000 19 machine?

The process involves clicking on 'Manage', selecting 'Add Roles and Features', proceeding through the 'Before You Begin' and 'Select Installation Type' screens, choosing the server, selecting 'Network Load Balancing' from the features list, and then installing it.

How is the NLB cluster created and what is the first step in this process?

The NLB cluster is created by using the 'Network Load Balancing Manager' tool. The first step is to right-click on 'Network Load Balancing Clusters' and select 'New Cluster'.

What is the default priority setting for a host in an NLB cluster and what does it mean?

The default priority setting for a host in an NLB cluster is 1, which means that the host will reply to client queries first, indicating the highest priority.

What are the two common operation modes for an NLB cluster and what is the difference between them?

The two common operation modes for an NLB cluster are unicast and multicast. In unicast mode, each node replaces its original MAC address with a new one generated by the NLB software. In multicast mode, NLB adds a layer two MAC address to the MAC of each node, allowing each node to have two MAC addresses.

How are ports configured for an NLB cluster and what ports are used in the demo?

Ports for an NLB cluster are configured using the 'Network Load Balancing Manager' tool by adding port rules. In the demo, ports 80 (HTTP) and 443 (HTTPS) are used, with both TCP and UDP protocols and a filtering mode set to 'Multiple Host'.

How can you verify that the NLB cluster is functioning correctly?

You can verify that the NLB cluster is functioning correctly by accessing the website using the cluster IP address and observing that different nodes respond to the requests, indicating that the load is being balanced.

Outlines

00:00

💻 Installing Network Load Balancing on Windows Server 2000

The video begins with an introduction to the process of installing and configuring Network Load Balancing (NLB) on Windows Server 2000. The presenter outlines the benefits of NLB, highlighting its role in high availability and redundancy in Windows-based networks. The script details the setup of a demo using three virtual machines running Windows Server 2000 in VirtualBox. The first server, named WS 2k 19-DC 01, serves as a domain controller with Active Directory and DNS roles installed. The other two are member servers, one of which will have the NLB feature installed. The presenter walks through the installation process, starting with adding roles and features on the first virtual machine, and then repeating the process on the second node, WS 2k 19-SRV 02, which has a static IP address of 172.16.8.72. The installation process involves selecting the NLB feature and proceeding through the wizard to install it.

05:03

🔄 Configuring the NLB Cluster

The second paragraph focuses on configuring the NLB cluster. The presenter explains how to use the Network Load Balancing Manager to create a new cluster or connect to an existing one. The process involves specifying the IP address of a host to be added to the cluster and setting the host priority, which determines the order in which the nodes respond to client queries. The script also covers the configuration of the cluster's IP address, operation mode (unicast or multicast), and port rules. The presenter opts for multicast mode, which allows each node to have two MAC addresses. The port rules are set up for HTTP (port 80) and HTTPS (port 443), with both TCP and UDP protocols enabled and a filtering mode that ensures load balancing across multiple hosts.

10:07

🌐 Testing the NLB Cluster

The final paragraph of the script describes the testing of the NLB cluster. The presenter demonstrates accessing the website hosted on the NLB cluster using the cluster's IP address. The video shows how the cluster directs traffic to different nodes based on the priority set during configuration. After clearing the browser cache, the presenter repeats the process, showing that the second node is now serving the request, confirming that the load balancing is functioning correctly. The video concludes with a summary of the successful installation and configuration of the NLB feature on Windows Server 2000, and the presenter thanks the viewers for watching.

Keywords

💡Network Load Balancing (NLB)

Network Load Balancing (NLB) is a feature in Windows Server that allows multiple servers to share the load of incoming network traffic, thereby improving the responsiveness of applications and services. In the video, NLB is central to the theme as it is being installed and configured on Windows Server 2000 19. The script describes how NLB can distribute network traffic evenly across nodes in a cluster, enhancing redundancy and availability.

💡High Availability

High Availability refers to systems and processes that are designed to be continuously operational, with minimal downtime. In the context of the video, NLB contributes to high availability by ensuring that if one server fails, others in the cluster can take over its workload, thus maintaining service continuity.

💡Redundancy

Redundancy in computing means having backup systems or components to ensure that if one fails, another can take over. The video discusses NLB as a feature that provides redundancy by allowing multiple servers to handle the same tasks, ensuring that the system remains operational even if some components fail.

💡Windows Server 2000 19

Windows Server 2000 19 is the version of the Windows Server operating system being used in the video. It is the platform on which NLB is being installed and configured. The script mentions installing NLB on this server version, indicating its compatibility and use for demonstrating the setup process.

💡Cluster

A cluster in the context of the video refers to a group of servers that work together to provide a single coherent service. The script describes creating an NLB cluster with up to 32 nodes, where each node contributes to handling network traffic and maintaining service availability.

💡Virtual Network Address

The Virtual Network Address is an IP address assigned to the NLB cluster, which is used by clients to access the services provided by the cluster. The script explains that when an NLB cluster is created, it generates a virtual network address, and any traffic directed to this address is distributed across the cluster nodes.

💡MAC Address

The MAC Address, or Media Access Control address, is a unique identifier assigned to network interfaces for communications at the data link layer of a network segment. The video script mentions that the virtual network adapter in an NLB cluster has a MAC address, which is part of the configuration that allows for the distribution of network traffic.

💡Domain Controller

A Domain Controller is a server that responds to security authentication requests and accesses the network logon process for users in a Windows domain. In the video, one of the servers is a domain controller named WS 2k 19 - DC 01, which has Active Directory and DNS server roles installed and configured.

💡Active Directory

Active Directory is a directory service that Windows-based networks use for user authentication, network policy enforcement, and other functions. The video script mentions that Active Directory is installed and configured on the domain controller server, which is part of the setup for the NLB cluster.

💡DNS Server

A DNS Server is responsible for translating domain names into IP addresses, which is essential for network communication. The video script specifies that a DNS server role is installed on the domain controller, which is necessary for resolving domain names within the network.

💡Static IP Address

A Static IP Address is a fixed IP address that does not change, as opposed to a dynamic IP address that can change over time. The script provides examples of static IP addresses assigned to the servers, which is necessary for the consistent configuration and operation of the NLB cluster.

Highlights

Introduction to installing and configuring Network Load Balancing (NLB) in Windows Server 2019.

NLB is a popular high-availability and redundancy feature used in Windows-based networks.

A Windows Server 2019 NLB cluster can support up to 32 nodes.

NLB creates a virtual network adapter with an IP and MAC address to distribute traffic across nodes evenly.

The demo uses three Windows Server 2019 virtual machines running in VirtualBox, with one acting as the domain controller.

The steps to install the NLB feature start with adding roles and features in Windows Server Manager.

Installation of NLB on multiple servers involves assigning static IP addresses and configuring each server's roles.

After installation, configuration of the NLB cluster begins by adding nodes to the cluster through the NLB Manager tool.

NLB cluster nodes are prioritized, with the highest priority node responding to client queries first.

IP addresses and subnet masks must be defined for each node in the cluster during configuration.

The NLB cluster can operate in unicast or multicast modes, depending on network requirements.

Ports used by the NLB cluster, such as 80 and 443, can be configured for specific services.

NLB distributes traffic between nodes based on priority, ensuring balanced load handling.

NLB configuration is verified through testing by accessing web services hosted on the NLB nodes.

The demonstration concludes with a successful setup and testing of NLB in a Windows Server 2019 environment.

Transcripts

hello everyone welcome to a massive T

webcast in this video we are going to

install and configure Network load

balancing feature in Windows Server 2000

nineteen NLB is one of the most popular

high availability and redundancy feature

used in a windows-based networks

Windows Server 2000 nineteen NLB

clusters can have up to 32 nodes in a

cluster when you create an and I will be

cluster it creates a virtual network

address the virtual network adapter has

an IP address and a MAC address network

traffic to this address is distributed

evenly across the nodes in the cluster

for this demo purpose I'll be using

three Windows Server 2000 19 virtual

machines which are all running in

VirtualBox the first server is a domain

controller with the name WS 2k 19 - DC 0

1 on this server we have installed and

configured active directory and a DNS

server role other two virtual machines

are a member server on which we are

going to install and configure and he'll

be feature this is our first virtual

machine but the hostname WS Toki 19 - as

a V 0 to this server is also part of our

Active Directory domain MyLab little

local on this server we have assigned

the static IP address 170 2.1 a dot 72.7

our first step is to install and will be

featured on this server to do that I'm

going to click on manage and select add

roles and features on before you begin

screen we need to click on Next button

select rule B's of it should be is

installation and become next WS took in

19 - s sub is 0 - a local server is

already selected click on next to

continue

click on next on select several console

on select features we need to select

network load balancing click on add

features to add required features click

on next and click on install

let's move to a second node which is WS

2k 19 - asabi 0-3 this server is also

part of our Active Directory domain my

lab little local we have assigned the

static IP address 170 2.1 8.72 dot 8 to

this server as well we also need to

install and I'll be featured on this

server as well to do that I need to

click on manage I chosen features we got

next next again next again next again

and on select features we need to select

Network load balancing click on add

fishes click on next and we can install

okay installation is completed on second

note lastly one close to closest consume

let us go back to our first note and on

this server another feature is

successfully installed let's click on

close to close this console after

installing Network load balancing

feature on both servers the next step is

to configure and Alby cluster for that

we need to click on tools and select

network load balancing manager let's

maximize the console plus right click on

network load balancing clusters and if

you have any existing cluster in your

organization that time you can click on

connect to existing but we are going to

create the first one and that's why we

need to click on new cluster here we

need to specify the IP address or fqdn

up that a host which we want to add in

an lb cluster in our case I'm going to

specify the IP address of our hosts ws

took in 19 - s avi 0 3 and the IP

address is 170 2.1 8.72 dot eight last

specific IP address 170 2.1 8.72 dot 8

once you provide the IP address you need

to click on this connect button select

ethernet interface and click on next on

this console you can set up the priority

for the host which you are adding to

this NLB cluster by default this

priority is set to 1 that means this NLB

node will reply the clients query first

that means this NLB host has a highest

priority if you want to change the

priority that time you need to click on

this drop down menu and select the value

as per your requirement when more

setting is here initial host state when

you add this node into another cluster

what you want the state of n will be

cluster if you want to start it that

time you can go with started but here we

have a certain other options as well

that stop and a suspended but we are

going with the default selection and

which is started click on next here we

need to specify the new plus 2 IP

address

and for that we need to click on this

Add button specify the IP address to our

and he'll be cluster I'm going to

specify the IP address 170 2.1 8.72 dot

10 but the subnet mask 255.255.255.0

even okay if you want to add one more

cluster IP address that time akeem you

need to click on add' button and specify

the IP address click on next if you want

to specify

fqdn to your cluster that time you can

specify that fqdn or full internet meme

in this box as well but that we are not

going to do right now here we have a

options to select cluster operation mode

generally we are going to use unicast or

multicast because for IGMP multicast you

how to do additional configuration here

we are receiving warning that before you

enable ICMP support concert' online help

regarding the network implications of

using this feature risk to absence other

unicast and multicast in unicast mode

each channel be clustered node replace

its original MAC address with a new one

generated by the NLB software and each

node in the NLB cluster use the same

virtual MAC address and on multicast

operation mode NLB adds a layer two MAC

address to the NAC of each node each NLB

cluster node basically has two MAC

addresses it's a real one and its NLB

generated address and that's why we are

going to select multicast operation mode

for this cluster demo click on next on

this console you can define ports which

you want to use for in Yorba cluster

we're going to use this NLB cluster for

is service only and that's why I'm going

to add it this default port rule select

the port rule and click on edit here I'm

going to change the port range from 80

to 80 I'm going to use TCP UDP both and

under filtering mode we are going to use

my

people host and under affinity and into

select to none click on okay let's add

code number four four three as well for

that I'm going to click on Add button

and King let's select the port number

four four three two four four three TCP

UDP booth filtering mode will be

multiple host and affinity valve in none

click on ok similar way you can add

whatever ports you require in and he'll

be cluster must become finish to add

this host and to create a new cluster as

wait for a few seconds and after that

your host will be successfully added to

this NLB cluster the icon color of the

added and he'll be node should be green

after that you can add other nodes to

this existing and I will be cluster for

that we need to select our NLB cluster

right click on it and select add host to

the cluster specify the IP address of

the node in our case the IP address of a

second node is 170 2.18 dot 72.7 click

on connect click on next next King and

you can see that defined port rules are

listed there for port number 80 and port

number 443 click on finish let's again

wait for a few seconds and after that

that nodes icon will be converted into

green that means we have successfully

completed the configuration finally we

have a green icons on both nodes that

means we have successfully created and

it'll be clustered in Windows Server

2000 19 now it's time to taste to taste

the NLB cluster use an and I'll be aware

application such as is service rule with

the cluster IP address for this demo

purpose already I have installed is

service on both service let me show the

default page of both nodes

the default website this is the website

on IP address 170 2.18 dot 72.7 okay

here we can see whose name is that ws to

key 19 - s of easy to do

let's check the same thing for our

second node one 72.1 8.72 dot eight has

grace enter key and you can see name is

that WS 2k 19 - SRP 0-3 now let's paste

NLB from our domain controller

let's open web browser

and this time we are going to use the IP

address often will be cluster to access

the website HTTP call in SS 170 2.1 8.72

dot 10 which is the IP address offer and

I'll be cluster plus press Enter key and

as you can see we are accessing our

second node WS 2k 19 - s avi 0 3 why

because we have setup the priority one

inside the n he'll be cluster let's

clear the internet explorer catch by

pressing ctrl shift till it key

combination last week on delete to clear

the catch let's wait for a few seconds

now let's again open Internet Explorer

that access the seen URL HTTP colon SS

170 2.1 8.72 dot 10 in las Tres a murky

and this time as you can see we are

accessing another node WS 2 key 19 - as

a visitor to the reason is pretty simple

one because we have set up the priority

1 for this NLB host and 2 for this NLB

host and thus the reason when first time

client try to access the NLB cluster our

sr v 0 3 responded and the second time

has surf is 0 2 responded base on the is

request after seeing this we can see we

have successfully installed and

configured network load balancing

feature on Windows Server 2000 19 that's

it for this video demonstration thank

you all for watching this video