NLB Design Process

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Creating a Network Load Balancing design involves more than documenting Windows Server 2003 and Network Load Balancing settings on the individual application servers. You must identify the applications and services that can benefit from Network Load Balancing, determine the core set of specifications in your design, ensure that your solution is secure, and provide for scalability and availability. The process for creating your Network Load Balancing design is shown in Figure 8.1.

Figure 8.1   Designing a Network Load Balancing Solution

As you create your Network Load Balancing design, document your decisions and use that information to deploy your Network Load Balancing solution.

Note

• For a Word document to assist you in documenting your Network Load Balancing design decisions, see "NLB Cluster Host Worksheet" (Sdcnlb_1.doc) on the Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003 Deployment Kit companion CD (or see "NLB Cluster Host Worksheet" on the Web at https://www.microsoft.com/reskit).