Migrating to the Target Cluster

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

As discussed in "Implementing the Target Cluster" earlier in this chapter, the only part of Network Load Balancing to be migrated is the port rules. All other aspects of the migration of the cluster are specific to the applications and services running on the cluster. For more information about migrating applications and services running on the cluster, see "Additional Resources for Deploying Network Load Balancing" later in this chapter.

Because the number of port rules on a cluster is small, the existing port rules can be easily recreated on the target cluster. If you are consolidating multiple clusters to a target cluster, the creation of port rules is slightly different from the creation of port rules if you are migrating a single cluster to a target cluster. Primarily, when consolidating, you need to ensure that consolidated port rules do not conflict with one another.

Migrate or consolidate the port rules on the source cluster to the target cluster by completing the following steps:

  1. Document the port rules on the source cluster.

  2. Identify any differences between port rules that exist on the target cluster and the port rules on the source cluster.

  3. Create the port rule on the target cluster, as required, with new or different virtual IP addresses.

  4. Migrate the applications and services running on the source cluster.

  5. Enable client access to the applications on the target cluster.