(Unattended Installation)
Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2
[MS_WLBS parameters]
The [MS_WLBS parameters] section contains entries for configuring Network Load Balancing (formerly, Windows Load Balancing Service, or WLBS) and binding Network Load Balancing to multiple network adapters.
By default, the bindings of all networking components (except Network Load Balancing) are enabled. You can selectively disable these by using the Disable entry in the [NetBindings] section. In addition, the Enable entry in the [NetBindings] section allows for explicit binding enabling.
All Network Load Balancing parameters are specific to individual adapters. Any section containing settings specific to an adapter must use the SpecificTo entry to specify the adapter to which the settings apply.
This section is available only for Windows Server 2003 operating systems.
Answer File Entries for the [ MS_WLBS parameters ] Section
| Entry | Description |
|---|---|
AliveMsgPeriod |
Specifies in milliseconds a period between sending Network Load Balancing cluster heartbeat messages. |
AliveMsgTolerance |
Specifies the number of lost heartbeat messages before Setup considers the Network Load Balancing cluster host inactive and initiates convergence. |
ClusterIPAddress |
Specifies the Network Load Balancing cluster's primary IP address. |
ClusterModeOnStart |
Specifies whether a host joins the Network Load Balancing cluster upon startup or waits for an explicit command to do so. |
ClusterName |
Specifies a full Internet name for the Network Load Balancing cluster. |
ClusterNetworkMask |
Specifies the subnet mask for the Network Load Balancing cluster IP address. |
DedicatedIPAddress |
Specifies the host's unique IP address. |
DedicatedNetworkMask |
Specifies the subnet mask for the dedicated IP address. |
DescriptorsPerAlloc |
Specifies the number of connection descriptors created for each allocation. |
HostPriority |
Specifies the host's unique priority ID in the Network Load Balancing cluster. |
IGMPSupport |
Specifies whether to use Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) support to prevent switch flooding. |
MaskSourceMAC |
Specifies whether to use source Media Access Control (MAC) address masking, allowing Network Load Balancing cluster hosts to connect to different switch ports. |
Master |
Specifies whether the host is the master. |
MaxDescriptorAllocs |
Specifies the maximum number of connection descriptor allocations. |
McastIPaddress |
Specifies the multicast IP address for sending IGMP join messages when you enable IGMPSupport. |
MulticastSupportEnable |
Specifies whether to use a multicast MAC address for Network Load Balancing cluster operations. |
NetmonAliveMsgs |
Specifies whether Network Load Balancing forwards heartbeat messages up to the bound protocols, allowing Network Monitor to capture heartbeats. |
NumActions |
Specifies the number of actions created for each allocation. |
NumAliveMsgs |
Specifies the number of heartbeat packet buffers created for each allocation. |
NumPackets |
Specifies the number of packets created for each allocation. |
PersistedStates |
Specifies whether a host that is shut down while in a suspended state will remain suspended when Windows is started. |
Ports |
Specifies rules for distributing traffic among Network Load Balancing cluster hosts according to protocol and destination ports. |
RemoteControlEnabled |
Specifies whether to enable remote-control operations. |
RemoteControlPassword |
Specifies a password for restricting access to the Network Load Balancing cluster from remote, networked computers running Windows and using the Wlbs.exe control program. |
RemoteControlUDPPort |
Specifies the remote control User Datagram Protocol (UDP) port. |
ReverseHash |
Specifies whether the adapter reverses the source and destination IP addresses and ports before making load balancing decisions. |
TeamID |
Specifies a valid GUID that identifies a bidirectional affinity (BDA) team. |
The following portion of an answer file shows how to configure two network adapters with static IP addresses for Network Load Balancing. In addition to showing how to use entries in the [MS_WLBS parameters] section, this example shows how to use several entries in the [Networking] section.
[Networking]
[Identification]
DomainAdmin = domain\user
DomainAdminPassword = password
JoinDomain = domain
[NetAdapters]
Adapter01 = params.Adapter01
Adapter02 = params.Adapter02
[params.Adapter01]
ConnectionName = "Intel Adapter"
Netcardaddress = 0x0002A5D0510f
[params.Adapter02]
ConnectionName = "3Com Adapter"
Netcardaddress = 0x000476D5F57D
[NetClients]
MS_MSClient = params.MS_MSClient
[params.MS_MSClient]
[NetProtocols]
MS_TCPIP = params.MS_TCPIP
[params.MS_TCPIP]
AdapterSections = params.MS_TCPIP.Adapter01,params.MS_TCPIP.Adapter02
[params.MS_TCPIP.Adapter01]
DHCP = No
DNSServerSearchOrder = 192.168.1.1, 192.168.1.2
IPAddress = 192.168.1.3
SpecificTo = Adapter01
SubnetMask = 255.255.255.0
WINS = Yes
WINSServerList = 192.168.1.4, 192.168.1.5
[params.MS_TCPIP.Adapter02]
DefaultGateway = 192.168.1.6
DHCP = No
DNSServerSearchOrder = 192.168.1.7, 192.168.1.8
IPAddress = 192.168.1.9
SpecificTo = Adapter02
SubnetMask = 255.255.255.0
WINS = Yes
WINSServerList = 192.168.1.10, 192.168.1.11
[params.MS_WLBS]
AdapterSections = params.MS_WLBS.Adapter01,params.MS_WLBS.Adapter02
[params.MS_WLBS.Adapter01]
ClusterIpAddress = 192.168.1.12
ClusterModeOnStart = 1
ClusterName = nlbcluster.domain.com
ClusterNetworkMask = 255.255.255.0
DedicatedIPAddress = 192.168.1.13
DedicatedNetworkMask = 255.255.255.0
HostPriority = 1
IGMPSupport = 0
MulticastSupportEnable = 1
Ports = 1,65535,Both,Multiple,Single,Equal
RemoteControlEnabled = 1
SpecificTo = Adapter01
[params.MS_WLBS.Adapter02]
ClusterIpAddress = 192.168.1.14
ClusterModeOnStart = 1
ClusterName = nlbcluster.domain.com
ClusterNetworkMask = 255.255.255.0
DedicatedIPAddress = 192.168.1.15
DedicatedNetworkMask = 255.255.255.0
HostPriority = 1
IGMPSupport = 0
MulticastSupportEnable = 1
Ports = 1,65535,Both,Multiple,Single,Equal
RemoteControlEnabled = 1
SpecificTo = Adapter02
[NetBindings]
Disable = MS_WLBS,Adapter01
Enable = MS_WLBS,Adapter02
AliveMsgPeriod
Specifies in milliseconds a period between sending Network Load Balancing cluster heartbeat messages.
Syntax
AliveMsgPeriod = integer_between_100_and_10,000
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
integer_between_100_and_10,000 |
Integer. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
AliveMsgPeriod = 5000
Comments
The default value is 1000.
AliveMsgTolerance
Specifies the number of lost heartbeat messages before Setup considers the Network Load Balancing cluster host inactive and initiates convergence.
Syntax
AliveMsgTolerance = integer_between_5_and_100
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
integer_between_5_and_100 |
Integer. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
AliveMsgTolerance = 50
Comments
The default value is 5.
ClusterIPAddress
Specifies the Network Load Balancing cluster's primary IP address.
Syntax
ClusterIPAddress = IP_address
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
IP_address |
IP address. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
ClusterIPAddress = 192.168.1.1
Comments
The default is 0.0.0.0.
This entry is required if you are implementing Network Load Balancing. This address is a virtual IP address and it must be set identically for all hosts in the Network Load Balancing cluster. If you use one alias for several IP addresses to the Network Load Balancing cluster, then you must specify only the primary (main) IP address.
ClusterModeOnStart
Specifies whether a host joins the Network Load Balancing cluster upon startup or waits for an explicit command to do so.
Syntax
ClusterModeOnStart = 0 | 1
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
0 |
Host does not join the Network Load Balancing cluster upon startup, but instead waits for an explicit command. |
1 |
Host joins the Network Load Balancing cluster upon startup. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
ClusterModeOnStart = 0
Comments
The default value is 1.
ClusterName
Specifies a full Internet name for the Network Load Balancing cluster.
Syntax
ClusterName = fully_qualified_domain_name_of_the_cluster
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
fully_qualified_domain_name_of_the_cluster |
FQDN of the cluster. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
ClusterName = cluster.microsoft.com
Comments
The default value is cluster.domain.com.
ClusterNetworkMask
Specifies the subnet mask for the Network Load Balancing cluster IP address.
Syntax
ClusterNetworkMask = network_mask
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
network_mask |
IP address. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
ClusterNetworkMask = 255.255.255.0
Comments
The default value is 0.0.0.0.
This entry is required if you are implementing Network Load Balancing.
DedicatedIPAddress
Specifies the host’s unique IP address.
Syntax
DedicatedIPAddress = IP_address
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
IP_address |
IP address. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
DedicatedIPAddress = 192.168.1.1
Comments
The default value is 0.0.0.0.
This entry is required if you are implementing Network Load Balancing.
DedicatedNetworkMask
Specifies the subnet mask for the dedicated IP address.
Syntax
DedicatedNetworkMask = network_mask
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
network_mask |
IP address. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
DedicatedNetworkMask = 255.255.255.0
Comments
The default value is 0.0.0.0.
This entry is required if you are implementing Network Load Balancing.
DescriptorsPerAlloc
Specifies the number of connection descriptors created for each allocation.
Syntax
DescriptorsPerAlloc = integer_between_16_and_1024
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
integer_between_16_and_1024 |
Integer. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
DescriptorsPerAlloc = 1024
Comments
The default value is 512.
Change this value only when an event log message instructs you to do so.
HostPriority
Specifies the host’s unique priority ID in the Network Load Balancing cluster.
Syntax
HostPriority = integer_between_1_and_32
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
integer_between_1_and_32 |
Integer. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
HostPriority = 5
Comments
The default value is 1.
This entry is required if you are implementing Network Load Balancing.
IGMPSupport
Specifies whether to use Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) support to prevent switch flooding.
Syntax
IGMPSupport = 0 | 1
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
0 |
Do not use IGMP for Network Load Balancing cluster operations. |
1 |
Uses IGMP for Network Load Balancing cluster operations. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
IGMPSupport = 1
Comments
The default value is 0.
This entry requires MulticastSupportEnable = 1 in the [MS_WLBS parameters] section.
MaskSourceMAC
Specifies whether to use source Media Access Control (MAC) address masking, allowing Network Load Balancing cluster hosts to connect to different switch ports.
Syntax
MaskSourceMAC = 0 | 1
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
0 |
Does not use source MAC address masking. The Network Load Balancing cluster connects to a hub to re-enable learning in the upstream switch and conserve its bandwidth. |
1 |
Uses source MAC address masking. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
MaskSourceMAC = 0
Comments
The default value is 1.
Master
Specifies whether the host is the master.
Syntax
Master = 0 | 1
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
0 |
The host is not the master. |
1 |
The host is the master. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
Master = 0
Comments
None.
MaxDescriptorAllocs
Specifies the maximum number of connection descriptor allocations.
Syntax
MaxDescriptorAllocs = integer_between_1_and_1024
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
integer_between_1_and_1024 |
Integer. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
MaxDescriptorAllocs = 1024
Comments
The default value is 512.
Change this value only when an event log message instructs you to do so.
McastIPaddress
Specifies the multicast IP address for sending IGMP join messages when you enable IGMPSupport.
Syntax
McastIPaddress = IP_address
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
IP_address |
IP address. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
McastIPaddress = ###.###.###.###
Where ###.###.###.### is a Class D IP address in the multicast address range.
Comments
The Primary Cluster IP automatically generates the default address.
MulticastSupportEnable
Specifies whether to use a multicast MAC address for Network Load Balancing cluster operations.
Syntax
MulticastSupportEnable = 0 | 1
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
0 |
Does not use multicast MAC addresses for Network Load Balancing cluster operations. |
1 |
Uses multicast MAC addresses for Network Load Balancing cluster operations. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
MulticastSupportEnable = 1
Comments
The default value is 0.
NetmonAliveMsgs
Specifies whether Network Load Balancing forwards heartbeat messages up to the bound protocols, allowing Network Monitor to capture heartbeats.
Syntax
NetmonAliveMsgs = 0 | 1
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
0 |
Does not forward heartbeat messages to bound protocols. |
1 |
Forwards heartbeat messages to bound protocols. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
NetmonAliveMsgs = 1
Comments
The default value is 0.
NumActions
Specifies the number of actions created for each allocation.
Syntax
NumActions = integer_between_5_and_500
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
integer_between_5_and_500 |
Integer. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
NumActions = 10
Comments
The default value is 50.
Change this value only when an event log message instructs you to do so.
NumAliveMsgs
Specifies the number of heartbeat packet buffers created for each allocation.
Syntax
NumAliveMsgs = integer_between_66_and_660
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
integer_between_66_and_660 |
Integer. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
NumAliveMsgs = 100
Comments
The default value is 66.
Change this value only when an event log message instructs you to do so.
NumPackets
Specifies the number of packets created for each allocation.
Syntax
NumPackets = integer_between_5_and_500
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
integer_between_5_and_500 |
Integer. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
NumPackets = 50
Comments
The default value is 100.
Change this value only when an event log message instructs you to do so.
PersistedStates
Specifies whether a host that is shut down while in a suspended state will remain suspended when Windows is started.
Syntax
PersistedStates = 0 | 4
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
0 |
Suspended state does not persist. |
4 |
Suspended state persists. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
PersistedStates = 0
Comments
None.
Ports
Specifies rules for distributing traffic among Network Load Balancing cluster hosts according to protocol and destination ports.
Syntax
cluster_ip_address | All, starting_port_range, ending_port_range, Both | TCP | UDP, Multiple |Single | Disabled, mode entry,[...]
Where mode_entry represents additional parameters if you select either of the following host filtering modes:
Multiple hosts:
None | Single | ClassC , Equal |load_weightSingle host: handling_priority
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
cluster_ip_address |
Specifies the cluster IP address that the port rules apply to. |
All |
Specifies that the port rules are global and apply to all cluster IP addresses associated with the NLB cluster. |
starting_port_range |
Specifies the start of the port range for the port rule. The value must be an integer between 1 and 65535. The value must be less than or equal to the value of end_of_port_range. |
ending_port_range |
Specifies the end of the port range for the port rule. The value must be an integer between 1 and 65535. The value must be greater than or equal to the value of start_of_port_range. |
Both |
Specifies that you want the port rule to apply to both TCP and UDP network traffic. |
TCP |
Specifies that you want the port rule to apply to TCP network traffic only. |
UDP |
Specifies that you want the port rule to apply to UDP network traffic only. |
Multiple |
Specifies the host filtering mode. This setting specifies that you want multiple hosts in the cluster to handle network traffic for the associated port rule. |
Single |
Specifies the host filtering mode. This setting specifies that you want a single host in the cluster to handle network traffic for the associated port rule according to the specified handling priority. |
Disabled |
Specifies the host filtering mode. This setting specifies that you want to block all network traffic for the associated port rule. |
None |
Specifies the client affinity setting if multiple host filtering mode is selected for the associated port rule. This setting disables client affinity, which allows for more effective load balancing because it allows multiple connections from the same client to be handled concurrently by different cluster hosts. |
Single |
Specifies the client affinity setting if multiple host filtering mode is selected for the associated port rule. This setting specifies that NLB direct multiple requests from the same client IP address to the same cluster host. |
ClassC |
Specifies the client affinity setting if multiple host filtering mode is selected for the associated port rule. This setting specifies that NLB direct multiple requests from the same Class C IP subnet to the same cluster host. |
Equal |
Specifies the load weight setting if multiple host filtering mode is selected for the associated port rule. This setting specifies that you want to distribute the network load equally among all hosts. |
load_weight |
Specifies the load weight setting if multiple host filtering mode is selected for the associated port rule. This setting specifies the relative amount of load-balanced network traffic you want this host to handle for the associated port rule. The value must be between 0 and 100. The value is not a percentage. The actual fraction of traffic handled by each host can be calculated by dividing the local load weight by the sum of all load weights across the cluster. |
handling_priority |
Specifies the handling priority setting if single host filtering is selected for the associated port rule. This setting specifies the local host’s priority for handling the network traffic for the associated port rule. The value must be between 1 (highest priority) and 32 (lowest priority). This value must be unique for all hosts in the cluster. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
Ports = All, 20, 21, TCP, Multiple, Single, Equal, All, 80, 80, Both, Multiple, None, Equal, All, 443, 443, Both, Multiple, Single, Equal, All, 1024, 65535, TCP, Multiple, Single, Equal
Ports = ALL, 20, 21, TCP, Multiple, Single, Equal, All, 80, 80, Both, Multiple, None, Equal, All, 443, 443, Both, Multiple, Single, Equal, All, 1024, 65535, TCP, Multiple, Single, Equal
Ports = 192.168.1.1, 20, 21, TCP, Multiple, Single, Equal, 192.168.1.2, 80, 80, Both, Multiple, None, Equal, All, 443, 443, Both, Multiple, Single, Equal, All, 1024, 65535, TCP, Multiple, Single, Equal
Comments
None.
RemoteControlEnabled
Specifies whether to enable remote-control operations.
Syntax
RemoteControlEnabled = 0 | 1
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
0 |
Does not enable remote-control operations. |
1 |
Enables remote-control operations. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
RemoteControlEnabled = 1
Comments
The default value is 0.
For security reasons, it is recommended that you place the Network Load Balancing UDP control port behind a firewall.
RemoteControlPassword
Specifies a password for restricting access to the Network Load Balancing cluster from remote, networked computers running Windows and using the Wlbs.exe control program.
Syntax
RemoteControlPassword = password
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
password |
Password. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
RemoteControlPassword = B1gCluster
Comments
The default value is Null.
Note
- If you create a password that starts with an asterisk (*), Windows sets the password to Null. A null password could be a security risk and is not recommended.
RemoteControlUDPPort
Specifies the remote control User Datagram Protocol (UDP) port.
Syntax
RemoteControlUDPPort = integer_between_1_and_65535
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
integer_between_1_and_65535 |
Integer. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
RemoteControlUDPPort = 1717
Comments
The default value is 2505.
ReverseHash
Specifies whether the adapter reverses the source and destination IP addresses and ports before making load balancing decisions.
Syntax
ReverseHash = 0 | 1
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
0 |
The adapter does not reverse the source and destination IP addresses and ports. |
1 |
The adapter reverses the source and destination IP addresses and ports. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
ReverseHash = 1
Comments
None.
TeamID
Specifies a valid GUID that identifies a bidirectional affinity (BDA) team.
Syntax
TeamID = {GUID}
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
{GUID} |
Globally-unique identifier. |
Example
[Networking]
[MS_WLBS parameters]
TeamID = {BF967924-0DE6-11D0-A285-00AA003049E2}
Comments
None.