Windows Redundancy

[rubbersoul]

I have a w2k3 server with 2 NIC's. I want to configure these 2 nic's with a 'virtual IP' so that if one goes down...the other will know to take over. I looked at NLB, but it dosen't do that exactly....so is of no use....does anyone know how to do this? Or can someone point me in the right directon?

 

[compuveg]

That would be server clustering, and requires Windows Server 2003 Enterprise, not Standard.

NLB is available to Win2k3 Standard, but doesn't do a heckuvalotta good most of the time unless you're just trying to have a redundant NIC on a PC.

 

[NortonES2]

You haven't said what make \ model the hardware is, HP for example provide software that does this (known as Network Teaming).

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If it doesn't leak oil it must be empty!!

 

[rubbersoul]

But that's exactly what I'm trying to do...I need a redundant nic! Basically, this server is a production server that can never go down.....we have 2 main switches (also for redundancy) and I need to one nic plugged into one switch and the other plugged into the other.....this way....if one nic goes down, the other is still functioning because the traffic will still be going to it as it's a virtual IP for the 2 nic's that that users are communicating with. I tried using NLB....but it won't let me put the same cluster IP on both NIC's as it says there is not unique.....how can I set this up? Both nic's ar in ....they both have there own static IP's...I can ping both....everything is working....now I need to set up a virtual IP which can act as a go between for either nic?

 

[compuveg]

Seems like I didn't know enough about NLB...

"NLB cannot be used to team adapters (grouping adapter ports together)."

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/technologies/clustering/nlbfaq.mspx

I thought it could. However, Intel, HP, Dell, and other vendors all offer NIC Teaming utils. I would check the vendor's site for their utilities.

 

[rubbersoul]

Thanks. That helped alot!

 

[compuveg]

I felt a touch of research is the least I could do considering my first incorrect answer. Good luck finding the teaming NICs on your NIC or server vendor's site.

 

[rubbersoul]

All ready got them.....lemme assk you...how did you search this to find it? Did you do a google search? And if so what key words did you use? When I was searching....I kept looking for 'virtual IP' and 'dual nics' and all I ever got was NLB stuff....