Network load balancing , single server ,dual nic

[krismark]

I am looking for info on network load balancing a single server with dual nic's

Most of the info I have come accross refers to Clusters.

I want to setup a server with Duul Gigabit NIC's , Not nessesarally by the same manufacturer. I want the traffic load balance between the two Nic's. Is this Possible ?

Should I be looking at a Dual NIC Card ? and if so recomendations please

Thanks

[Marsden]

NLB requires at least 2 machines, each with 2 NICs.

Network Load Balancing (NLB) clusters dynamically distribute the flow of incoming TCP and UDP traffic among the cluster nodes according to a set of traffic-handling rules. NLB clusters provide a highly available and scalable platform for applications such as IIS, ISA server, etc. NLB is used for stateless applications; i.e. those that do not build any state as a result of a request.

NLB and server clusters compliment each other in complex architectures: NLB is used for load balancing requests between front-end web servers while server clusters provide high availability for backend database access.

Multiple NICs in cluster nodes

Windows 2000:

• If you have 2 NICs on different subnets then the NIC to which NLB is bound should have default gateway and the routing tables need to be reconfigured to make all traffic go thru the NLB NIC. Default gateway setting on the other NIC should be blank.

• If you have 2 NICs on the same subnet you will need to configure the NIC to which NLB is bound with the default gateway. The other NIC should not have a default gateway configured. No need to hack routing tables.

• Recommendation is to use one NIC in each node unless there is a business need for 2 NICs

Windows Server 2003

• If you have 2 NICs different subnets you can choose to bind NLB to either or both NICs without any issues. All traffic will go thru the correct NIC (subnet)

• If you have 2 NICs on the same subnet traffic will be routed accordingly.