Connect to existing clusters from Network Load Balancing Manager using a host list
Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2
To connect to existing clusters from Network Load Balancing Manager using a host list
Using the Windows interface
Using a command line
Using the Windows interface
Open Network Load Balancing Manager.
In the File menu, click Load Host List.
Navigate to and select your host list text file and click Open.
Important
To start Network Load Balancing Manager, open a Command prompt. From the command window, type NLBMgr, and then press ENTER.
For security reasons, ensure that only users in the local Administrators group have access to the host list file.
Notes
When using Network Load Balancing Manager, you must be a member of the Administrators group on the host that you are configuring, or you must have been delegated the appropriate authority. As a security best practice, consider using Run as to perform this procedure. If you are configuring a cluster or host by running Network Load Balancing Manager from a computer that is not part of the cluster, you do not need to be a member of the Administrators group on that computer. For more information, see Default local groups, Default groups, and Using Run as.
If you attempt to connect to an existing Network Load Balancing cluster, either using a single host or using a host list, and are not a member of the Administrators group on any of the cluster's hosts, those hosts will not be displayed in Network Load Balancing Manager.
If the Network Load Balancing Manager log displays "Access denied, error connecting to "host"" you must reconnect to the cluster using a logon name that is a member of the Administrators group on all hosts. You can do this by logging on with a different logon name, using Run as, or providing an alternate logon name for Network Load Balancing Manager to use by clicking Credentials in the Network Load Balancing Manager Options menu.
To start Network Load Balancing Manager, open a Command prompt. From the command window, type NLBMgr, and then press ENTER.
The host list text file is a text file that you create using Notepad or any other similar application. The file should list the name of each host. Each host name should be separated by a line break. You can include comments in the host list by preceding the comment with a ";".
This procedure allows you to connect to multiple hosts and all Network Load Balancing clusters on those hosts. The clusters and hosts will then be displayed in Network Load Balancing Manager. This is particularly useful when a host's Network Load Balancing network adapter is having connectivity problems, but another network adapter is available on that host. You can also use this procedure to detect and diagnose problems such as cluster hosts converging separately.
Using a command line
Open Command Prompt.
Type:
nlbmgr /hostlist host-list
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
host-list |
The fully qualified path to a text file that you create using Notepad or any other similar application. The file should list the name of each host. Each host name should be separated by a line break. |
Important
- For security reasons, ensure that only users in the local Administrators group have access to the host list file.
Notes
To run nlb.exe from a remote computer, you must enable remote control on the host that is running Network Load Balancing. The Network Load Balancing remote control option presents many security risks, including the possibility of data tampering, denial of service and information disclosure. Only use remote control on a secure computer within your firewall. Because of the many security risks remote control presents, it is recommended that you do not enable the remote control feature. Instead, use other remote management tools such as Network Load Balancing Manager or Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI).
If you attempt to connect to an existing Network Load Balancing cluster, either using a single host or using a host list, and are not a member of the Administrators group on any of the cluster's hosts, those hosts will not be displayed in Network Load Balancing Manager.
If the Network Load Balancing Manager log displays "Access denied, error connecting to "host"" you must reconnect to the cluster using a logon name that is a member of the Administrators group on all hosts. You can do this by logging on with a different logon name, using Run as, or providing an alternate logon name for Network Load Balancing Manager to use by clicking Credentials in the Network Load Balancing Manager Options menu.
To open a command prompt, click Start, point to All programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command prompt.
To run nlb.exe from a remote computer, you must enable remote control on the host that is running Network Load Balancing. The Network Load Balancing remote control option presents many security risks, including the possibility of data tampering, denial of service and information disclosure. Only use remote control on a secure computer within your firewall. Because of the many security risks remote control presents, it is recommended that you do not enable the remote control feature. Instead, use other remote management tools such as Network Load Balancing Manager or Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI).
To view the complete syntax for this command, at a command prompt, type:
nlbmgr /help
Ensure that only users in the local Administrators group have access to the host list file.
You can include comments in the host list by preceding the comment with a ";".
This procedure allows you to connect to multiple hosts and all Network Load Balancing clusters on those hosts. The clusters and hosts will then be displayed in Network Load Balancing Manager. This is particularly useful when a host's Network Load Balancing network adapter is having connectivity problems, but another network adapter is available on that host. You can also use this procedure to detect and diagnose problems such as cluster hosts converging separately.
Information about functional differences
- Your server might function differently based on the version and edition of the operating system that is installed, your account permissions, and your menu settings. For more information, see Viewing Help on the Web.
See Also
Concepts
Connect to existing clusters from Network Load Balancing Manager using a single host
Stop managing a cluster from Network Load Balancing Manager
Remove a host from a Network Load Balancing cluster
Remove all hosts from a Network Load Balancing cluster
Uninstall Network Load Balancing
Nlbmgr