Summary
This article describes how to configure the NetScaler to use static proximity for Global Server Load Balanced (GSLB) virtual servers.
Background
The Static Proximity feature uses an IP address-based static location database.
The system then uses this database to determine the proximity between the clients Local Domain Name System (LDNS) and the GSLB Sites. The system responds with the IP address of a GSLB site that best matches the proximity criteria. To use this feature, configure the STATICPROXIMITY LB method on the GSLB virtual server. LDNS in this case refers to the DNS server doing name resolution for a given client.
Topic
To configure static proximity, the following steps should be followed (this article assumes the vast majority of GSLB configuration is already complete, including local/remote sites, services, and virtual servers:
1. Acquire a location database.
2. Copy the location database to the following location:
/var/netscaler/locdb/
3. Load the database:
a. At the Command Line Interface (CLI), type the following command:
add locationFile /var/netscaler/locdb/[location_db] –format [format_of_db]
b. At the NetScaler GUI, click and expand GSLB.
c. Click Location.
d. Click the Static Database tab.
e. Click Add.
f. Select location and format of the database.
g. Click Create.
4. Configure the GSLB virtual server(s) to use the Static Proximity load balancing method:
a. At the CLI, type the following command:
set gslb vserver [gslb_vserver] -lbMethod STATICPROXIMITY
b. At the NetScaler GUI, click and expand GSLB.
c. Click Virtual Servers.
d. Highlight the virtual server to modify and click Open.
e. Click the Method and Persistence tab.
f. Select Static Proximity from the Choose Method drop down list.
g. Select a backup method from the Choose Backup Method drop down list.
h. Click OK.
5. Verify that the NetScaler is able to determine the GSLB service location:
a. At the CLI, type the following command:
sh gslb service (observe the Location field.)
b. At the NetScaler GUI: Click and expand GSLB.
c. Click Services.
d. Highlight the service to be checked and click Open.
e. Observe Location directly below Public IP.
Note: In a High Availability (HA) pair, be sure to copy the database to both nodes.
More Information
The NetScaler Installation and Configuration Guide Vol 2 page 2-31 covers static proximity in great detail. The guide also provides links to location database vendors, supported database formats, and gives database syntax examples.
Version 8
CTX112893 - Citrix NetScaler Installation and Configuration Guide V1 - Release 8.0
CTX112894 - Citrix NetScaler Installation and Configuration Guide V2 - Release 8.0
Version 7
CTX112299 - Citrix NetScaler Installation and Configuration Guide V1 - Release 7.0
CTX112300 - Citrix NetScaler Installation and Configuration Guide V2 - Release 7.0
Version 6.1
CTX108727 - Citrix NetScaler Installation and Configuration Guide Volume 1 - Release 6.1
CTX108774 - Citrix NetScaler Installation and Configuration Guide Volume 2 - Release 6.1
