This article describes how to configure GSLB Active-Passive topology on NetScaler using the new GSLB wizard.

Background

You can now use a wizard to configure the GSLB deployment types active-active, active-passive, and parent-child topology. This wizard is available in the NetScaler GUI. To access the wizard, navigate to Configuration > Traffic Management > GSLB and then click Get Started.  You can also access this wizard from the GSLB dashboard. Navigate to Configuration > Traffic Management > GSLB > Dashboard and then click Configure GSLB.

Prerequisites

• A standard load balancing setup for each server farm or data center.
• Also, for synchronizing the GSLB configuration across the GSLB sites in the deployment, make sure that:
  • Local GLSB Sites are configured on all the appliances in the GSLB configuration.
  • You have enabled management access on all the GSLB Sites in the configuration.
  • You have configured the firewall to accept the auto synchronization and MEP connections.
  • All the NetScaler appliances participating as sites should have the same NetScaler software versions because the sites are not in a master-slave relationship.
  • The RPC node password is same across all the GSLB sites in the GSLB configuration. A standard load balancing setup for each server farm or data center.

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Instructions

To configure Active-Passive Site on NetScaler using the Wizard:

1. Navigate to Traffic Management > GSLB > click Get Started button.

2. If you have not configured an ADNS service or a DNS virtual server for the site, you can complete this step at this time. Select Configure ADNS Service button.

3. Configure ADNS Parameters and select OK.

 

4. Select Active-Passive Site.

5. Enter FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name) and click Continue.

6. Verify if Deployment Details (ADNS & Domain) are correct and click Continue.

7.  Add GSLB Site by clicking on the Add Sites button.

8. Enter relevant site information and click Create.

9. Verify Site information and click Continue.

10. Configure GSLB Service.

• Enter the service details such as service name, service type, and port number.
• Associate the service with a site (local or remote) by selecting the GSLB site where the GSLB service belongs.

11. Select GSLB Monitor to use if MEP fails.

• The service can be an existing server or you can create a new server or a virtual server.
  • To associate an existing server, select the server name. The service IP address is auto-populated.
  • If the public IP is different from the server IP, which can happen in a NAT environment, then enter the public IP address and the port number of the public port.
  • To associate a new server, create a server by entering the server IP details and its public IP address and the port number of the public port.
  • To associate a virtual server, select an already existing virtual server or click + and add a new virtual server. This vserver is the load balancing vserver to which this GSLB service will be associated.

12. Select Create and then Continue.

13. Configure GSLB virtual servers.

• Enter the name of the GSLB virtual server and select the DNS record type.
• Click > in Service Binding, and choose the GSLB services that must be bound to the GSLB virtual server.
• Choose the GSLB method for selecting the best-performing GSLB service. The default values for GSLB method, backup method, and dynamic weight are auto-populated, by default. You can change it, if required.
  • If you choose the Algorithm based method, select the primary and backup methods.
  • If you choose the Static Proximity method, select the backup method and provide the location of the database file.
  • If you choose the Dynamic Proximity (RTT) method, select the backup method and specify the service weight and the RTT value based on which the best-performing service is to be selected.

14. Verify configurations and click Done.

Notes:

• Before synchronization, make sure that the local site’s configuration includes information about the remote sites. In the other NetScaler appliances too, the local site should be configured for the synchronization to be successful.
• If real-time synchronization is enabled, you do not have to click Auto Synchronize GSLB. The synchronization happens automatically. To enable real time synchronization, do the following:
  • Navigate to Traffic Management > GSLB > Dashboard and click Change GSLB Settings.
  • Select the Automatic Config Sync check box.

This article describes how to configure GSLB Active-Passive topology on NetScaler using the new GSLB wizard.