NLB Deployment Process

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

Deploy your Network Load Balancing solution by implementing the decisions made by the design team. The process for deploying Network Load Balancing clusters is shown in Figure 9.1.

Figure 9.1   Deploying Network Load Balancing

During the Network Load Balancing design process, the design team created and documented the design of the network configuration by using drawing and diagramming software (such as Microsoft® Visio®), and the "NLB Cluster Host Worksheet" job aid that your design team completed for each cluster host. (This worksheet is associated with "Designing Network Load Balancing" in Planning Server Deployments of this kit.) The Network Load Balancing design documents describe the number of Network Load Balancing clusters, the placement of the Network Load Balancing clusters in your network environment, the number of Network Load Balancing cluster hosts, and other specifications.

Before deploying Network Load Balancing in your production environment, test your deployment solution in a lab and in a pilot deployment. For more information about testing your design, see "Planning for Deployment" in Planning, Testing, and Piloting Deployment Projects of this kit.

After you test your design, you can use different options for deploying each Network Load Balancing cluster, based on the requirements of your organization. Table 9.1 lists deployment requirements and the corresponding options for deploying Network Load Balancing clusters. For each cluster in the Network Load Balancing design, select one of these options for deploying Network Load Balancing clusters.

Table 9.1   Deployment Requirements and Corresponding Options for Deploying NLB Clusters

Deployment Requirements	Implement	Upgrade	Migrate
Fresh installation of Windows Server 2003 is required
Clusters are to be deployed on new cluster hardware
Two or more existing clusters to be consolidated into a single cluster
A corresponding cluster currently exists in the network environment
Existing hardware is capable of running Windows Server 2003
Existing Windows registry settings to be retained

When your Network Load Balancing solution includes multiple Network Load Balancing clusters, you might need to use more than one method for deploying Network Load Balancing clusters. For each Network Load Balancing cluster in your solution, read the corresponding section in this chapter for the deployment method you select:

• Implementing New Clusters

• Upgrading Existing Clusters

• Migrating Existing Clusters