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Configure SLB VIPs through VMM service templates

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Software Defined Networking (SDN) can use Software Load Balancing (SLB) to evenly distribute network traffic among workloads managed by service provider and tenants.

System Center Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) supports configuration of SLB VIPs while deploying multi-tier application by using service templates and also supports both public and internal load balancing.

Before you begin

Ensure the following prerequisites are met:

Procedure to create SLB VIPs

Use the following steps:

  1. Specify the affinity to logical networks.

    • In the VMM console, select Fabric > Network Service > Network Controller > Properties > Logical Network Affinity page.

    • Specify the Front-end and Back-end networks available for load balancing and select OK.

      Screenshot of specify affinity to logical networks.

  2. Create a VIP template.

    • In the VMM console, select Fabric > Create VIP Template.

    • In the Load Balancer VIP Template Wizard > Name, specify the template name and description.

    • In the Virtual IP port, specify the port that will be used for the type of network traffic you want to balance.

    • In the Backend port, specify the port on which the backend server is listening for requests.

      Screenshot of template properties.

    • In Type, under Specify a template type, select Specific. Select Microsoft from the Manufacturer dropdown and Microsoft Network Controller from the Model dropdown.

    • Select Next.

      Screenshot of template type.

    • In Protocol, specify protocol options. Select OK.

      Screenshot of protocol.

    • In Load Balancing method, select the method and select OK.

      Screenshot of load balancing method.

    • In Health Monitors, you can optionally specify that a verification must run against the load balancer at regular intervals. To add a health monitor, specify the protocol and the request. For example, entering the command GET makes an HTTP GET request for the home page of the load balancer and checks for a header response. You can also modify the response type, monitoring interval, timeout, and retries.

    Note

    The timeout must be less than the interval.

    Screenshot of add health monitor.

    • In Summary, confirm the settings and select Finish to create the VIP template.

  3. Configure SLB VIP while deploying Service

    • If the service template isn't open, select Library > Templates > Service Templates and open it.
    • Select Actions > Open Designer.
    • In the Service Template Designer, select the Service Template Components group > Add Load Balancer.
    • Select the load balancer object. You'll identify it with the VIP template name.
    • Select Tool > Connector. Select the Server connection associated with the template and then select a NIC object to connect the load balancer to the adapter. In the NIC properties, check the address types and ensure that the MAC address is static.

    Note

    The server connection must be connected to the back-end network interface of the service. The back-end network interface can be connected to either a One Connected VM Network or a network virtualized VM Network.

    • With the Connector enabled, select the client connection associated with the load balancer and then select a logical network object.

      Note

      Client connection must be connected to a front-end network of the load balancer. This can be a Public VM network or a network virtualized VM network. A network virtualized VM Network is used for internal load balancing scenarios.

    • Save the service template in Service Template > Save and Validate.

Example 1: Configuring Service with Public VM Network as front-end. Here the Backend network can be One connected or network virtualized VM network.

Diagram of slb vip example 1.

Example 2: Configuring Service with front-end and back-end connected to network virtualized VM Network HNV VM Network. This scenario is used for internal load balancing.

Diagram of slb vip example 2.

Set up the VIP for user access

When the service is deployed, VMM automatically selects a VIP from the reserved range in the static IP address pool and assigns it to the load-balanced service tier. To enable users to connect to the service, after the service is deployed, you need to determine the VIP and configure a DNS entry for it.

  1. After the service is deployed, select Fabric > Networking > Load Balancers.
  2. Select Show > Service > Load Balancer Information for Services and expand the service to see which VIP is assigned.
  3. If users use the DNS name to access the service, request the DNS administrator to manually create a DNS entry for the VIP. The entry must be the name that users will specify to connect to the service. For example, servicename.contosol.com.