Configuring HLB ( Kemp LoadMaster) Exchange 2010

 

If you are going to configure Kemp HLB here is quick reference for you to get going. Installing HLB into production environment with existing CAS ARRAY might sound bit concerning but the reality , the actual work needs to get done is fairly simple.

Existing environment

CAS01	192.168.1.101
CAS02	192.168.1.102
CAS03	192.168.1.103
CAS04	192.168.1.104

****

CAR ARRAY Configuration ( existing)

CAS ARRAY =  Outlook.smtp25.org

****

Outlook.smtp25.org	192.168.1.101
Outlook.smtp25.org	192.168.1.102
Outlook.smtp25.org	192.168.1.103
Outlook.smtp25.org	192.168.1.104

****

How does it work ?

• Outlook client checks its configured settings and finds out where to connect to get the user mail from ( This case it is CAS ARRAY = outlook.smtp35.org=10.10.10.150
• The DNS Server the client is talking too, has A record matches the RPC Client Access Server outlook.smtp25.org=10.10.10.150
• Each Database has attribute called RPCclientAccessServer which is equal to CAS ARRAY name. ( this is where the magic happens……)

Now we will plug Kemp HLB into this picture

*** In DNS the existing A record point to outlook.my company.com , the TTL has been lowered see details ***

Configuring KEMP LoadMaster for Outlook MAPI

Connect to your Kemp HLB

Step1    Create a Virtual Service

Virtual Address	172.21.7.15
Port	*
Service Name (Optional)	RPC MAPI
Protocol	tcp

Create a Virtual Service. Click Virtual Services and then click Add New.

**** Click Add this Virtual Service****

Step2  Configure Basic Properties

Note make sure “L7 Transparency” is not checked the Kep document says check this on and if you do, MAPI client MAPI request comes to Kemp HLB and Kemp HLB will not response back to MAPI ( Outlook) client and thus Client outlook will crash badly.. This made me slow down a bit, after turning on Sniffer I was able to see what was going on and Henrik post came to rescue Thanks Henrik

Advanced Properties

 Real Servers (  Existing CAS Servers in the environment)

Now we will create another one for Address Bok Services

Click Virtual Services , add new

Virtual Address	172.21.7.15
Port	135
Service Name (Optional)	MAPI Endpoint Mapper
Protocol	tcp

****

****

Basic Properties

Standard Options

SSL Properties

Advanced Properties

Real Servers

Now final Configuration will look like

It is good idea to create backup after you are done

All you have to do it just to save it

As you can see KEMP HLB is supper easy to configure

Now how are you going to test this without effecting production and schedule a day to do the cut over, remember this example the existing CAS ARRAY is pointing to all existing CAS Servers…

Log into your test PC where outlook is installed and change the host file to point to  VIP IP address of the KEMP HLB. Once you are done this open outlook , you can ping the outlook.YourCompany.org from test PC to verify it is pinging to  VIP IP of the HLB *** Not one of the CAS Servers***

Now under statistic real servers you will be able to see how many connections etc.

Conclusion:  configuring KEMP HLB is real easy and the price very reasonable in my opinion, once you get the HLB you will be more appreciated how much it can make your life easy (-:

If you get stuck at any point ping me , I will be happy to give hand fo configuring KEMP HLB with your existing SMTP domain.

 

Respectfully,
Oz Casey, Dedeal ( MVP north America)
MCITP (EMA), MCITP (SA)
MCSE 2003, M+, S+, MCDST
Security+, Project +, Server +
http://smtp25.blogspot.com/ (Blog)
http://telnet25.wordpress.com/ (Blog)