Create a New Cluster and Add Nodes to it

To set up a cluster and add LoadMaster nodes to it, follow the steps in the sections below, in order.

Create a New Cluster

To create a new cluster, follow the steps below on a LoadMaster Web User Interface (WUI):

1. In the main menu of the LoadMaster WUI, go to System Configuration > HA and Clustering.

   

2. This screen describes both HA Mode and Clustering. Select Clustering and click Confirm.

   

3. Click Create New Cluster.

   

4. Enter the desired shared IP address for the cluster.
   Note: This is the address that is used to access the shared WUI where configuration changes should be made.
5. Click Create a New Cluster.

   

6. The LoadMaster will then reboot. A prompt will appear asking to reconnect to the shared IP address.
7. Click Continue.

When the LoadMaster has rebooted, you are brought to the shared IP address.

The cluster is now set up. The next step is to add a LoadMaster to the cluster.

Add a Node LoadMaster to the Cluster

To add a node LoadMaster to the cluster, the node LoadMaster needs to become available and then have its IP address added in the shared IP address WUI. To do this, follow the steps below:

1. In the main menu of the LoadMaster WUI, go to Certificates & Security > Remote Access.
2. Set the Partner Shared Secret to the same value as the other LoadMaster (or LoadMasters) in the cluster.
3. In the main menu of the LoadMaster WUI, go to System Configuration > HA and Clustering.

   

4. This screen describes both HA Mode and Clustering. Select Clustering and click Confirm.

   

5. Click Add to Cluster.
   Note: The LoadMaster is now available to be added to the cluster.

   

6. Open the WUI of the shared IP address.
7. In the main menu, go to System Configuration > Cluster Control.

   

8. Enter the IP address of the node LoadMaster in the Address text box.
9. Click Add New Node.

   

   Note: This must be done while the node LoadMaster is available to join the cluster.
10. The node LoadMaster needs to reboot to finish the conversion to cluster mode. Click Continue.

    

11. By default, the new node is disabled. Click Enable to enable the node in the cluster.
    Note: When a node is enabled, it will not be immediately brought into rotation. It will only come online after it has been up for 30 seconds. The page may need to be refreshed to display any state changes. If there are no Virtual Services in the node, the node is in a Disabled state.
12. Click OK.

The cluster is now configured and a node has been added. To add more nodes, repeat the steps in the Add a Node LoadMaster to the Cluster section.

When all nodes have been added to the cluster, other configuration changes can be made - such as creating and configuring Virtual Services. These changes are propagated from the shared IP address to the LoadMaster nodes.

Configure the Network Interface(s)

Some configuration changes are needed on the interfaces. Refer to the sections below for further details.

Set the Cluster Shared IP Address

The cluster shared IP address needs to be set on any interfaces that are used to handle traffic. To do this, follow the steps below:

1. In the main menu of the shared IP address LoadMaster WUI, go to System Configuration > Network Setup.
2. Click the relevant interface link.

   

3. Enter the Cluster Shared IP address and click Set Shared address.

Enable the Use for Cluster Checks Option

The Use for Cluster checks option must be enabled on at least one interface. To enable this option, follow the steps below:

1. In the main menu of the LoadMaster WUI, expand System Configuration.
2. Click the relevant interface.

   

3. Tick the Use for Cluster Checks check box.

Enable the Use for Default Gateway Option

The Use for Default Gateway option needs to be enabled on each of the LoadMasters.

To do this, follow the steps below:

1. In the main menu of a node LoadMaster, expand System Configuration.
2. Click the relevant interface.

   

3. Tick the Use for Default Gateway check box.