Configuring ISA Server in an Array

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

Computers running ISA Server Enterprise Edition can be grouped together in arrays. An array is a group of ISA Server–based computers used to perform Web cache routing. Arrays allow a group of ISA Server–based computers to be treated and managed as a single, logical entity. An array installation also provides increased performance and bandwidth savings. Grouping your ISA Server–based computers in an array allows your client requests to be distributed among multiple servers, thereby improving response time for clients.

All the servers in an array share a common configuration. This saves management time because the array is configured once and the configuration is applied to all the servers in the array. Furthermore, you can apply an enterprise policy to an array. This allows centralized management for all the arrays in the enterprise. A unique array policy can be applied to each array in the enterprise.

It is recommended that you consider installing ISA Server as an array even if there is only one server. The advantages to this include the ability to easily add an additional server to the array in the future and the ability to use the advanced array management features.

Note

• All array members must be in the same domain and in the same site.

Table 5.7 compares ISA Server features as a stand-alone server and in an array configuration.

Table 5.7   Comparing Features of ISA Server as a Stand-Alone Server or as an Array