Hopefully someone can help.
I am looking to start testing Windows 2008 Network loadbalancing. This will be used as a webfarm. I went through various white papers and forum posts but still have a few questions:
1. I get that VMWare recommends Multicast mode. Windows 2008 gives you two options, multicast and IGMP multicast. Seeing as I am not a networking expert, I am a little worried about switch flooding. Apparently enabling IGMP Snooping on your Cisco switches eliminate this? Is this true, if so do you need to install your cluster as IGMP Mulicast?
2. Do you need to have dedicated network cards for this NLB cluster, seperate vSwitch etc? If not will there be any interference with the existing production network?
3. Is a static arp entry required on your switch? All switches or just the server farm switches where the ESX hosts are connected to?
Some info would be appreciated.