IGMP Multicast mode - NLB for the Client Access Servers
I'm building out a new domain and new Exchange environment. Once DC so far and 4 exchange servers, 2 CAS/HUB and 2 MDB. All server 2k8 r2 and Exchange 2010sp3. We don't have a Network Load Balancer appliance as of yet but I'm trying to setup Microsoft Network Load Balancing in IGMP Mulitcast mode (options are Unicast, Multicast, or IGMP Multicast). I've seen issues here before with Unicast causing MAC-Flap on the switch ports...I'm testing/playing around with IGMP Mulitcast mode. We have a Cisco 6500 series core with 3750 switches throughout the building.
I've read some article on IGMP Snooping which make some sense,.... I'm trying to find what I need to do get the router ready for M$ NLB. I've been from forum to forum and read a bunch of CISCO configuration pages but no really getting a clear answer here....
Our Servers are on VLAN 70 our workstations or 10. I turned on IGMP Snooping on for VLAN 70... not sure if I'm heading down the right path here....
CR-6509#show ip igmp interface vlan70
Vlan70 is up, line protocol is up
Internet address is 10.11.70.1/24
IGMP is disabled on interface
Multicast routing is disabled on interface
Multicast TTL threshold is 0
No multicast groups joined by this system
IGMP snooping is globally enabled
IGMP snooping CGMP-AutoDetect is globally enabled
IGMP snooping is enabled on this interface
IGMP snooping fast-leave (for v2) is disabled
IGMP snooping querier is enabled. Querier is 10.11.70.1 (this system)
IGMP snooping explicit-tracking is enabled
IGMP snooping last member query response interval is 1000 ms
IGMP snooping report-suppression is enabled
I've read some article on IGMP Snooping which make some sense,.... I'm trying to find what I need to do get the router ready for M$ NLB. I've been from forum to forum and read a bunch of CISCO configuration pages but no really getting a clear answer here....
Our Servers are on VLAN 70 our workstations or 10. I turned on IGMP Snooping on for VLAN 70... not sure if I'm heading down the right path here....
CR-6509#show ip igmp interface vlan70
Vlan70 is up, line protocol is up
Internet address is 10.11.70.1/24
IGMP is disabled on interface
Multicast routing is disabled on interface
Multicast TTL threshold is 0
No multicast groups joined by this system
IGMP snooping is globally enabled
IGMP snooping CGMP-AutoDetect is globally enabled
IGMP snooping is enabled on this interface
IGMP snooping fast-leave (for v2) is disabled
IGMP snooping querier is enabled. Querier is 10.11.70.1 (this system)
IGMP snooping explicit-tracking is enabled
IGMP snooping last member query response interval is 1000 ms
IGMP snooping report-suppression is enabled
ASKER
I like the way you think Sembee2, I'm going to propose a Hardware Load Balancer today.
We have about 800 email accounts but about 40% don't see much usage, we are also going to use Mimecast's services soon for archiving and after that will be cutting back the mailbox size to 150mb locally and the rest to be stored with Mimecast. I'm also contemplating going to one CAS/HUB server (and still have two MDB servers). I can keep a spare server racked as backup incase the one CAS/HUB server goes down, just need to reset the AD Account, set the IP, name and join to the domain, and run the server recover switch with setup.com to rebuild that one CAS/HUB server... That will probably take 30-60 min to do so I'll present that possible downtime to the execs and see if they are fine with that or be willing to buy me a NLB :-)
We have about 800 email accounts but about 40% don't see much usage, we are also going to use Mimecast's services soon for archiving and after that will be cutting back the mailbox size to 150mb locally and the rest to be stored with Mimecast. I'm also contemplating going to one CAS/HUB server (and still have two MDB servers). I can keep a spare server racked as backup incase the one CAS/HUB server goes down, just need to reset the AD Account, set the IP, name and join to the domain, and run the server recover switch with setup.com to rebuild that one CAS/HUB server... That will probably take 30-60 min to do so I'll present that possible downtime to the execs and see if they are fine with that or be willing to buy me a NLB :-)
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ASKER
Alright, I'll rethink this..all roles on one server and go wide. I do have the RPC CAS Array configured and in place.
I'll will take a look at the ZEN Load balancer now, do you install this over linux or is it a virtual appliance?
Thanks again
I'll will take a look at the ZEN Load balancer now, do you install this over linux or is it a virtual appliance?
Thanks again
I have it installed at home as a virtual appliance. Downloaded the ISO, mounted it in VMWARE and followed the prompts. I am not a Linux guy by any stretch.
Simon.
Simon.
If not I would cut it down to two multi role servers and spend the money on a hardware/virtual load balancer instead. WNLB sucks and isnt' recommended by the Exchange product team.
Simon.