Configuring & Testing a Simple Load Balanced Test Environment

This configuration example illustrates how to configure a simple layer 7 load balanced test environment using the WebUI.

The following diagram and table describe the environment:

test environment
IP Address Device Notes

10.11.40.100

Test Client

10.11.40.60

Load Balancer

the load balancer’s management IP address

10.11.40.125

Load Balancer

the FIP/Service address (floating IP) - the address clients connect to

10.11.40.10

Web Server 1

the first Real Server

10.11.40.20

Web Server 2

the second Real Server

Deploy the Appliance

For details on deploying the appliance, please refer to Virtual Appliance Deployment.

Run the Network Setup Wizard

For details on configuring network settings, please refer to Configure Initial Network Settings.

Configure Load Balanced Services

For details on accessing the WebUI, please refer to Accessing the Appliance WebUI.

When using the WebUI, a template based wizard system is used to configure the service.

To add a new service:

  1. Using the WebUI, navigate to Cluster Configuration > Manage Services and click Add Service.

    webui add service select template
  2. Click Add Layer 7 Service.

    webui add service frontend config
  3. Specify a suitable name for the service, e.g. Web-Cluster.

  4. Leave all other settings at their default value.

  5. Click Next.

    webui add service add fip
  6. Click Add floating IP.

    webui add service create fip
  7. Specify a suitable IP address for the service, e.g. 10.11.40.125.

  8. Click Add.

    webui add service fip created
  9. Ensure that the Floating IP is selected and click Next until the Backends screen is displayed.

  10. Click Add backend.

    webui add service create backend
  11. Specify a suitable Name, e.g. Web-Cluster-Backend.

  12. Leave all other settings at their default value.

  13. Click Next until the Backend Configuration / Real server screen is displayed.

    webui add service add real
  14. Click Add real server.

    webui add service add real 01
  15. Specify a suitable Name, e.g. RS-01.

  16. Specify the IP address of the first Real Server, e.g. 10.11.40.10.

  17. Leave all other settings at their default value.

  18. Click Add.

  19. Repeat these steps to add the second Real Server, e.g. 10.11.40.20.

    webui add service reals added
  20. Click Next, then click Submit to create the service.

Apply New Settings

To finalize the new configuration, NF Tables must be updated.

To update NF Tables:

  1. Using the WebUI, navigate to: Maintenance > System services.

  2. Click Update for NF Tables.

When additional services are added, NF Tables (the firewall service) will again require updating. In addition, HAProxy (the underlying service used for layer 7 Virtual Services) must also be reloaded.