Setup MS NLB Multicast mode on Cisco Bladecenter switches

[ablej]

We are looking to setup MS NLB Multicast mode on Cisco Bladecenter switches. Do we add the static ARP and CAM entries to each port on the core switches that

the Bladecenters are connected to, or just the port the VM happens to

be pushing traffic through at that time? If we add it to just one port,

how is vmotion going to work...since it seems we'll have to manually

transfer the arp entry from one port to another.

[azn2kew]

You can check out this NLB guide and for more details. And make sure you set the settings appropriately for unicast and multicast which we have to use the KB for our web servers NLB setings for details http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1556

If you found this information useful, please consider awarding points for "Correct" or "Helpful". Thanks!!!

Regards,

Stefan Nguyen

VMware vExpert 2009

iGeek Systems Inc.

VMware, Citrix, Microsoft Consultant

[norregaard · Accepted solution]

We add the static ARP entry to the whole Cisco switch. If you can VMotion you NLB VMs to another host that is physically connected to another switch, then this switch should have the ARP entry added as well. We haven't tested configuring only on specified ports. But if you do, make sure that you include all ports connected to physical switch (if for exampel you have four pnics configured in one vSwitch...).

Here's a guide to how we have configured it a number of times in our company.

http://www.vi-tips.com/2009/04/nlb-in-vmware.html