Installing and Configuring Additional Cluster Hosts

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

After you have installed and configured the first cluster host, you are ready to install and configure the remaining cluster hosts in the cluster. The first cluster host acts as a master copy when you use an image-based deployment method (such as RIS, Sysprep, or a third-party product) to deploy the remaining cluster hosts.

Perform the following tasks on the remaining cluster hosts by using the "NLB Cluster Host Worksheet" that your design team completed for each cluster host:

  1. Create an image of the first cluster host that has just been deployed (discussed in the previous section) as required by one of the following image-based automated installation methods:

    • Sysprep

      For more information about creating Sysprep images, see "Designing Image-based Installations with Sysprep" in Automating and Customizing Installations of this kit.

    • RIS

      For more information about creating RIS images, see "Designing RIS Installations" in Automating and Customizing Installations.

    • Third-party products

      For more information about creating images with third-party products, see the documentation provided with the third-party image deployment software.

  2. Restore the image of the first cluster host (created in step 1) to one of the remaining cluster host, following the directions provided in the documentation for the image-base installation method you used.

  3. Configure any computer specific information (such as computer name and IP address) on the newly deployed cluster host.

  4. Enable monitoring and health checking for the additional cluster host.

    Use the same methods as described for the first cluster host.

  5. Verify that the additional cluster host responds to client requests.

    Use the same methods as described for the first cluster host.

  6. Complete steps 2 through 5 for each remaining cluster host in the Network Load Balancing cluster.

  7. Ensure that the cluster is load balancing requests across all cluster hosts (based on the port rules of the cluster).

The time required to create and test the images used in an image-based deployment can be prohibitive. It might take you less time to install and configure the remaining cluster hosts in the same way that you installed and configured the first Network Load Balancing cluster host. For example, you could deploy a cluster that consists of three cluster hosts. If you decide to deploy the cluster hosts using a method other than image-based deployment, you must ensure that you can restore a failed cluster host.