Set up the First Unit

To build a HA LoadMaster environment there are several settings that you must carefully specify. Follow these steps to set up HA:

1. Log in to the LoadMaster that you want to be the active (master) unit.
2. Ensure that Network Time Protocol (NTP) settings are configured. For further details on configuring the NTP settings, refer to the following section in the Web User Interface (WUI) Configuration Guide: Date/Time.
   Note: Configuring the NTP settings can ensure the time on the LoadMaster is kept up-to-date. This ensures that the times are correct on any logs and that Common Address Redundancy Protocol (CARP) message timestamps are in sync.
3. In the main menu, select System Configuration and click HA and Clustering.

   

4. A screen appears asking if you want to set up HA Mode or Clustering. To set up HA, select HA Mode and click Confirm.
   Note: For instructions on configuring clustering, refer to the LoadMaster Clustering Feature Description.

   

5. If you have configured a Partner Shared Secret you can skip the sub-steps below. If you have not configured a Partner Shared Secret, a pop-up message appears asking you to set it:
   1. Click OK and the Remote Access page appears.
   2. Enter a value for the Partner Shared Secret and click Set Shared Secret.
   3. After the shared secret is set, go to System Configuration > HA and Clustering.
   4. Select HA Mode and click Confirm.

      For further details, refer to the following section: Set the Partner Shared Secret.

      

6. Select HA (First) Mode in the HA Mode drop-down.

   

7. Click OK.

   

   Note: Do not reboot at this time.
8. Click OK on the resulting message reminding not to forget to set the shared IP address.

   

   Note: Selecting the Prevent this page from creating additional dialogs check box stops any warning messages (such as this one) from appearing.
9. Specify the desired shared IP address in the HA Shared IP address field and click Set Shared address.
   Note: A shared IP address must be added to all production interfaces.
10. A confirmation message may appear. Click OK.
    Note: Do not reboot or reconnect at this time.
11. Enter the IP address of the standby unit in the HA Partner IP address field and click Set Partner address.
12. A confirmation message appears. Click OK.
13. As of the 7.2.36 firmware, the LoadMaster selects a HA Virtual ID based on the shared IP address of the first configured interface (the last eight bits). You can change the value to whatever you want (in the range 10 – 255) or you can keep it at its existing value.
    Note: Ensure the Virtual ID is unique for each HA pair on the network. When using multiple HA LoadMaster pairs (or other devices using CARP-like protocols) on the same network, this value uniquely identifies each HA pair so that there are no potential unwanted interactions.
14. Configure any other settings as needed.
15. Click Reboot Now.

    

16. Click Continue.
17. Refresh the page after the LoadMaster has rebooted (this may take a few minutes).
    Note: A login screen appears. After logging in, a different menu appears than before. This is the Local Administration menu displayed for HA units - this menu has fewer options. Only configuration settings relating to that specific unit are accessible using the Local Administration option. All management of the HA units should be done using the shared IP address. To see the full menu and configure the units, access the WUI of the shared IP address, which you configured previously.

    

18. Log in to the shared IP Web User Interface (WUI) by entering the shared IP address in the address bar of the browser and pressing Enter.
    Note: In the top-right of the screen there are two indicator squares. These squares indicate the status of the HA pair. The left square always represents HA1 and the right represents HA2. The A represents which unit is active. The first or second HA unit can be opened by clicking the relevant status icon. Green and green status colors indicate a properly paired configuration. Currently, the icons are green and red because the HA2 unit has not yet joined the pair. For an explanation of all icon colors and statuses, refer to the HA Parameters section.
19. Go to HA Parameters in the main menu.
20. Enter a different number (different from the IDs of other HA devices) in the HA Virtual ID text box and click Set Virtual ID. Using the same ID as other HA devices may cause problems.