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→Installing the Network Load Balancing Feature
Once installation is complete both the graphical ''Network Load Balancing Manager'' and the command line ''NLB CLuster Control Utility'' ('''nlbmgr.exe''' and '''nlb.exe''' respectively) will be installed ready for use.
== Building a Windows Server 2008 Network Load Balanced Cluster ==
Network Load Balanced clusters are build using the ''Network Load Balancing Manager'' which may be launched from the ''Start -> All Programs -> Administrative Tools'' menu or from a command prompt running '''nlbmgr'''. Once loaded, the manager will appear as shown in the following figure:
[[Image:windows_server_2008_network_load_balancing_manager.jpg|The Windows Server 2008 Network Load Balancing Manager]]
To pre-configure the account and password credentials to be used on each host when working with the cluster select ''Options -> Credentials'' and enter an account and password. Note that the account must be a member of the administrators group.
To begin the cluster creation process right click on the Network Load Balancing Clusters entry in the left panel of the manager window and select the ''New Cluster'' menu option. This will display ''New Cluster'' connection dialog. In this dialog, enter either the name or IP address of the first server to be included in the load balanced cluster and press the ''Connect'' button to establish a connection to that server. If the connection is successful to the first server will be listed:
[[Image:windows_server_2008_new_cluster_connection.jpg|Specifying the first host to be included in the load balanced cluster]]
Clicking ''Next'' will display a warning that DHCP will be turned off the the network adapter of the specified host that any necessary gateway information will need to be configured manually using the server's network properties dialog. Subsequently the ''Host Parameters'' screen will appear as shown below:
[[Image:windows_server_2008_cluster_host_parameters.jpg|Configuring the cluster host parameters]]
The ''Priority (unique host ID)'' is a number between 1 and 32 and serves two purposes. Firstly, the number provides a unique ID within the cluster to distinguish the server from other nodes. Secondly, it specifies the priority order of the cluster. The cluster node with the lowest priority is assigned to handle all traffic that is not covered by a ''port rule''. All servers joining a cluster must have a unique ID. I new server attempting to join a cluster with a conflicting ID will be denied.
The IP address
