Tag Archives: simple

Citrix NetScaler – Simple HTTP Site Load Balancing

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KB ID 0001188 

Problem

Here is the simplest load balancing scenario I can think of, I’ve got two web servers, (on http port 80) and I’m presenting them though my NetScaler as an HTTP (Virtual Server).

 

Solution

First we add the ‘back-end’ servers. Connect to the management IP of your NetScaler and login > Configuration > Traffic Management  > Load Balancing > Servers > Add.

Define a name for the first server and enter its IP address > Create.

Repeat to add the second internal web server. 

Now I’m going to group these servers together in a ‘service group’, (you don’t have to, you can present them individually to the virtual server you will create in a minute if you prefer). Configuration > Traffic Management  > Load Balancing > Service Groups > Add.

Name the group and set the protocol to HTTP  > OK.

When created, you will see it says ‘No Service Group members’  > Click there.

Select ‘Server Based’ > Click the search arrow.

Tick them all > Select.

Set the port (HTTP is TCP port 80) > Create.

OK.

Now we need to add a monitor, this is what the NetScaler will use to monitor the service availability of your ‘back-end’ servers on TCP port 80 (HTTP). Click Monitors.

This confused me for a while, selecting things on the right, drops them at the bottom of the main page > Click ‘No service Group Monitor Binding’.

NetScaler has a monitor for http pre-configured, so I’m going to use that > Click the search arrow.

Click ‘http’  > Select.

Bind.

Done.

Now we tie all that together in a ‘Virtual Server’ > Configuration > Traffic Management  > Load Balancing > Virtual Servers > Add.

Give the Virtual Server a name > Protocol is HTTP > Specify the IP address (this will be the VIP the NetScaler presents to the outside world)  > Port 80 > OK.

Now we need the add the group we created earlier, click where it says ‘No load balancing Virtual Servers Service Group Binding’.

 

Click the search arrow.

Click the group you created earlier > Select.

Bind.

Continue.

Done.

Save your hard work.

You should be green across the board.

To test this I put a different web ‘welcome’ page on both of the servers, that way as I refresh the page I can see that the NetScaler is doing its job and balancing the requests across both back-end web servers.

 

Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links

NA

Simple Partitioning of your Hard Drive Using FDISK

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KB ID 0000079

Problem

You want to carve up the space on your hard drive.

Solution

Creating a Partition

1. First ensure you have a windows 98SE Bootdisk, you can download one, CLICK HERE

2. Boot the PC with your boot disk, ENSURE the boot order is set in the BIOS to boot from the floppy disk BEFORE the hard drive

3.To launch FDISK simply type fdisk {enter} at the command prompt, when the program launches press the Y key and {enter} to enable large drive support

4. If its not allready selected change the choice to [1] Create DOS Partition or Logical DOS Drive. and {enter}

5. You now want to create a primary DOS partition press 1 then {enter}

6. FDISK will do a quick drive check.

7. You will be asked if you want to use the maximum space available, as we only want one partition accept the default of “Y” and press {enter}

8. FDISK will perform another drive check.

9. Hurrah! We’re done, Press Esc to exit FDISK then at command line press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to rebootand the partition is in place.

Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links

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Cisco AnyConnect – Essentials / Premium Licenses. Explained

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KB ID 0000628 

Problem

Note: With Anyconnect 4 Cisco now use Plus and Apex AnyConnect licensing.

When Cisco released the 8.2 version of the ASA code, they changed their licensing model for AnyConnect Licenses. There are two licensing models, Premium and Essentials.

Solution

Cisco ASA AnyConnect Premium Licenses.

You get two of these free with your firewall*, with a ‘Premium License’ you can use the AnyConnect client software for remote VPN Access, and you can access Clientless SSL facilities via the web portal.

*As pointed out by @nhomsany “The two default premium licenses available are NOT cross-platform, (i.e. only Mac or Windows).

Additionally you can use this license’ model with the Advanced Endpoint Assessment License’, this is the license’ you require for Cisco Secure Desktop. You can also use this license’ with the AnyConnect Mobile license’ for access from mobile devices like phones or tablets, (both these licenses are an additional purchase).

For most people wishing to buy extra AnyConnect licensing, this will be the one you want. Their type and size differ depending on the ASA platform in question, e.g. the 5505 premium licenses. are available as 10 session and 25 session licenses. the 5510 are in 10, 25, 50, 100 and 250 Sessions. (Note: These are correct for version 8.4 and are subject to change, check with your re seller).

Failover: If you are using failover firewalls you can (but don’t have to) use a shared license’ model, this lets you purchase a bundle of Premium licenses. and share them across multiple pieces of hardware, This requires an ASA to be setup as the license’ server’. Before version 8.3 you needed to purchase licenses for both firewalls. After version 8.3, Cisco allowed the licenses. to be replicated between firewalls in a failover pair. The exception is Active/Active where the amount of licenses. is aggregated together from both firewalls and ALL are available providing the figure does not exceed the maximum for the hardware being used.

Cisco ASA AnyConnect Essential Licenses

When you enable ‘Essential Licensing’, your firewall changes it’s licensing model and the two Premium licenses. you get with it are disabled*. The Firewall will then ONLY accept AnyConnect connections from the AnyConnect VPN client software.

Note: The portal still exists, but can only be used to download the AnyConnect Client Software.

With Essentials licensing enabled, the firewall will then accept the maximum VPN sessions it can support for that hardware version (see here), without the need to keep adding licenses.

Note: Remember these are “Peer VPN Sessions”. If you have a bunch of other VPN’s (including IPSEC ones), then these are taken from the ‘pot’.

Additionally, you can also use this license’ with the AnyConnect Mobile license’ for access from mobile devices like phones or tablets, this license’ is an additional purchase.

Failover: Prior to version 8.3, if you have failover firewalls and are using Essentials licenses you need to purchase an Essentials license’ for BOTH firewalls. After version 8.3 Cisco allowed the licenses. to be replicated between firewalls in a failover pair.

Cisco ASA Maximum VPN Peers / Sessions

5505 = 25
5510 = 250
5520 = 750
5540 = 5,000
5550 = 5,000
5580 = 10,000

Next Generation Platform (X)

5512-X = 250
5515-X = 250
5525-X = 750
5545-X = 2500
5555-X = 5000
5585-X = 10,000

*To re-enable the built in Premium Licenses. you need to disable Essentials licensing by using the ‘no anyconnect-essentials” command or in the ASDM> Configuration > Remote Access VPN > Network (Client) Access > Advanced > AnyConnect Essentials.

Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links

Cisco ASA5500 AnyConnect SSL VPN 

Cisco AnyConnect Mobility License’

Cisco ASA 5500 – Adding Licenses