Aamer M
asked on
load balance storefront and delivery controllers using netscaler
we are planning to deploy a VDI solution using the Citrix xendesktop and Xenapp. we have purchased a Netscaler VPX to load balance the storefront server. we will have two storefront servers load balanced by the netscaler VPX. since it a small environment for 300 clients we are planning to install the storefront and the delivery controllers on the same machines. now my question is can I load even the delivery controllers that the storefront server uses by the same netscaler vpx.
I want to create two VIP on the netscaler VPX. one to load balance storefront servers that users use. the second VIP that Storefront used to load balance the Delivery controllers that are installed on the same servers.
thanks
I want to create two VIP on the netscaler VPX. one to load balance storefront servers that users use. the second VIP that Storefront used to load balance the Delivery controllers that are installed on the same servers.
thanks
Yes, you can load-balance the DDCs as well, and I would suggest that you DO use the VPX to load-balance both StoreFront and the DDC portions.
That's because the NetScaler (using intelligent monitors) can do a much better job of determining if a service is down.
What would happen if both machines are up, but the XML service is not responding properly on one of them?
The NetScaler can detect that, but StoreFront will simply return an error (unless it's using a NetScaler VIP).
Since the StoreFront servers will be part of the same server group and you will be propagating any changes, the configuration of both of them would be exactly the same. There would be no way to prioritize one DDC (the one installed on the same server) over the other.
One other point ... I would highly suggest spinning up another VPX and create an HA pair. Otherwise, you have a single point of failure, and if the VPX goes down, your users are out of luck (even the internal ones, since they will probably be using the LB VIP on the NetScaler to access StoreFront).
That's because the NetScaler (using intelligent monitors) can do a much better job of determining if a service is down.
What would happen if both machines are up, but the XML service is not responding properly on one of them?
The NetScaler can detect that, but StoreFront will simply return an error (unless it's using a NetScaler VIP).
Since the StoreFront servers will be part of the same server group and you will be propagating any changes, the configuration of both of them would be exactly the same. There would be no way to prioritize one DDC (the one installed on the same server) over the other.
One other point ... I would highly suggest spinning up another VPX and create an HA pair. Otherwise, you have a single point of failure, and if the VPX goes down, your users are out of luck (even the internal ones, since they will probably be using the LB VIP on the NetScaler to access StoreFront).
ASKER
Thanks you Sam,
so if I understand you correctly, I will have one Virtual IP that will load balance the store front servers for the clients.
I will have a second VIP that will load balance the DDC's for the storefront.
for VDA registration can I use the VIP configured on the VPX for DCC's or should I use the DDC's computer names?
we have budget constraints that's why only one netscaler VPX. in case of the VPX failure, we can manually redirect the name of the storefront in DNS to the actual storefronts till the issue is resolved in the netscaler. or use dns roundrobin temporarily.
considering both the storefront and delivery controllers are installed on the same machines.
appreciate a quick reply.
so if I understand you correctly, I will have one Virtual IP that will load balance the store front servers for the clients.
I will have a second VIP that will load balance the DDC's for the storefront.
for VDA registration can I use the VIP configured on the VPX for DCC's or should I use the DDC's computer names?
we have budget constraints that's why only one netscaler VPX. in case of the VPX failure, we can manually redirect the name of the storefront in DNS to the actual storefronts till the issue is resolved in the netscaler. or use dns roundrobin temporarily.
considering both the storefront and delivery controllers are installed on the same machines.
appreciate a quick reply.
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Storefront / netscaler connect to booth without LB.
Within VDA you configure more than DC too.
You need one VS to loadbalance the StroreFront servers and one VS for external access (NetScaler Gateway).