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3/31/2016 8:27 am  #1


Unicast Vs. Multicast

Single network adapterNetwork Load Balancing can operate in two modes: unicast and multicast.In unicast mode, the cluster's media access control (MAC) address is assigned to the computer's network adapter, and the network adapter's built-in MAC address is not used.In multicast mode, the cluster's MAC address is assigned to the computer's network adapter, but the network adapter's built-in address is retained so that both addresses are used, the first for client-to-cluster traffic and the second for network traffic specific to the computer.The following describes the principal characteristics of each mode when a single network adapter is used.Single network adapter in unicast mode


  • The adapter's own, unique MAC address is disabled. 

  • The cluster MAC address (which Network Load Balancing automatically generates) replaces this address.

  • The adapter becomes, in effect, the cluster adapter.

  • Both the dedicated IP address and the cluster IP address resolve to the cluster MAC address.

  • Because all cluster hosts share the same MAC address, and because the original MAC address is not used, ordinary network communication between this host and the other cluster hosts is not possible. However, the computer can still handle traffic originating from outside the subnet in which the cluster is located, and from inside the subnet if the IP datagram does not carry the same MAC address as on the cluster adapter. For more information, see Address Resolution Protocol (ARP).


Single network adapter in multicast mode

  • Network Load Balancing automatically generates a cluster MAC address for the network adapter. 

  • The adapter's own, unique MAC address is retained. 

  • The cluster IP address resolves to the cluster MAC address. 

  • The dedicated IP address resolves to the original MAC address. 


Important

  • Network Load Balancing does not support a mixed unicast/multicast environment within a single cluster. Within each cluster, all network adapters in that cluster must be either multicast or unicast; otherwise, the cluster will not function properly. 

  • However, there is no restriction on the number of network adapters: Different hosts can have a different number of adapters.


NOTE UNICAST IS THE DEFAULT - YOU MUST ENABLE MULTICAST

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc759498(v=ws.10).aspx

 

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