Cisco GSS CLI-Based Global Server Load-Balancing Configuration Guide (Software Version 1.3) - Preface [Cisco ACE GSS 4400 Series Global Site Selector Appliances]

Table Of Contents

Preface

Audience

How to Use This Guide

Related Documentation

Symbols and Conventions

Obtaining Documentation

Cisco.com

Product Documentation DVD

Ordering Documentation

Documentation Feedback

Cisco Product Security Overview

Reporting Security Problems in Cisco Products

Obtaining Technical Assistance

Cisco Technical Support & Documentation Website

Submitting a Service Request

Definitions of Service Request Severity

Obtaining Additional Publications and Information

Preface

This guide includes information on using the Command Line Interface (CLI) to configure the Cisco Global Site Selector (GSS) to perform global server load balancing. Certain global server load-balancing tasks require that you use the CLI, other tasks require that you use the GUI. In most cases, you have the option of using either the CLI or the GUI at the primary GSSM. In cases where you must use the GUI to perform a particular task (configuring DNS rule filters, for example), the task is listed and a reference to the appropriate chapter in the Global Site Selector GUI-Based Global Load-Balancing Configuration Guide is provided.

This preface describes the following topics:

•Audience

•How to Use This Guide

•Related Documentation

•Symbols and Conventions

•Obtaining Documentation

•Documentation Feedback

•Cisco Product Security Overview

•Obtaining Technical Assistance

•Obtaining Additional Publications and Information

Audience

To use this configuration guide, you should be familiar with the GSS platform hardware. In addition, you should be familiar with basic TCP/IP and networking concepts, router configuration, Domain Name System (DNS), the Berkeley Internet Name Domain (BIND) software or similar DNS products, and your organization's specific network configuration.

How to Use This Guide

This guide includes the following chapters:

Chapter/Title

Description

Chapter 1, Introducing the Global Site Selector

Describes the basic concepts of the GSS product as well as important GSS-related terms.

Chapter 2, Configuring Resources

Instructions on organizing resources on your GSS network as locations, regions, and owners.

Chapter 3, Configuring Source Address Lists

Describes how to create and modify source address lists.

Chapter 4, Configuring Domain Lists

Describes how to create and modify domain lists.

Chapter 5, Configuring Keepalives

Describes how to modify global keepalive parameters and create shared keepalives.

Chapter 6, Configuring Answers and Answer Groups

Describes how to create GSS answers and answer groups.

Chapter 7, Building and Modifying DNS Rules

Describes how to construct the DNS rules that govern all global server load balancing on your GSS network.

Chapter 8, Configuring DNS Sticky

Describes how to configure local and global DNS sticky for GSS devices in your network.

Chapter 9, Configuring Network Proximity

Describes how to configure proximity for GSS devices in your network.

Chapter 10, Creating and Playing GSLB Configuration Files

Describes how to create, modify, and play GSLB configuration files.

Chapter 11, Displaying Global Server Load-Balancing Configuration Information

Describes the commands you use to display information about the global server load-balancing configuration on your GSS network.

Chapter 12, Displaying GSS Global Server Load-Balancing Statistics

Describes the tools that you use to display the status of global load balancing on your GSS network.

Appendix A, Primary GSSM Global Server Load-Balancing Error Messages

Describes the primary GSSM global server load-balancing operating error messages.

Appendix B, "Sticky and Proximity XML Schema Files"

Describes how you use the two XML schema files, included with the GSS, to describe and validate the sticky XML and proximity XML output files.

Related Documentation

In addition to this document, the GSS documentation set includes the following:

Document Title

Description

Global Site Selector Hardware Installation Guide

Provides information on installing your GSS device and getting it ready for operation. It describes how to prepare your site for installation, how to install the GSS device in an equipment rack, and how to maintain and troubleshoot the system hardware.

Regulatory Compliance and Safety Information for the Cisco Global Site Selector

Provides regulatory compliance and safety information for the GSS platform.

Release Note for the Cisco Global Site Selector

Provides information on operating considerations, caveats, and new CLI commands for the GSS software.

Cisco Global Site Selector Getting Started Guide

Provides information on getting your GSS set up, configured, and ready to perform global server load balancing.

Cisco Global Site Selector GUI-Based Global Server Load-Balancing Configuration Guide

Procedures on how to configure your primary GSSM from the GUI to perform global server load balancing, such as configuring source address lists, domain lists, answers, answer groups, DNS sticky, network proximity, and DNS rules. This document also provides an overview of the GSS device and global server load balancing as performed by the GSS.

Cisco Global Site Selector Administration Guide

Provides the procedures necessary to properly set up, manage, and maintain your GSSM and GSS devices, including login security, software upgrades, GSSM database administration, and logging.

Cisco Global Site Selector Command Reference

Provides an alphabetical list, by mode, of all GSS command-line interface (CLI) commands including syntax, options, and related commands. This document also describes how to use the CLI interface.

Symbols and Conventions

This guide uses the following symbols and conventions to emphasize certain information.

Command descriptions use the following conventions:

boldface font

Commands and keywords are in boldface.

italic font

Variables for which you supply values are in italics.

[   ]

Elements in square brackets are optional.

{x | y | z}

Alternative keywords are grouped in braces and separated by vertical bars.

[x | y | z]

Optional alternative keywords are grouped in brackets and separated by vertical bars.

string

A set of characters. Strings that include spaces (for example, "name 1") must be in quotes.

Screen examples use the following conventions:

screen font

Terminal sessions and information the system displays are in screen font.

boldface screen font

Information you must enter is in boldface screen font.

italic screen
font

Variables for which you supply values are in italic screen font.

This pointer highlights an important line of text in an example.

^

The symbol ^ represents the key labeled Control—for example, the key combination ^D in a screen display means hold down the Control key while you press the D key.

<   >

Nonprinting characters, such as passwords, are in angle brackets.

[   ]

Default responses to system prompts are in square brackets.

!, #

An exclamation point (!) or a pound sign (#) at the beginning of a line of code indicates a comment line.

Graphical user interface elements use the following conventions:

boldface text

Instructs you to enter a keystroke or act on a GUI element.

Courier text

Indicates text that appears in a command line, including the CLI prompt.

Courier bold text

Indicates commands and text you enter in a command line.

italic text

Directories and filenames are in italic font.

Caution A caution means that a specific action you take could cause a loss of data or adversely impact use of the equipment.

Note A note provides important related information, reminders, and recommendations.

1. A numbered list indicates that the order of the list items is important.

a. An alphabetical list indicates that the order of the secondary list items is important.

•A bulleted list indicates that the order of the list topics is unimportant.

–An indented list indicates that the order of the list subtopics is unimportant.

Obtaining Documentation

Cisco documentation and additional literature are available on Cisco.com. Cisco also provides several ways to obtain technical assistance and other technical resources. These sections explain how to obtain technical information from Cisco Systems.

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Cisco Product Security Overview

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Reporting Security Problems in Cisco Products

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•Emergencies — security-alert@cisco.com

An emergency is either a condition in which a system is under active attack or a condition for which a severe and urgent security vulnerability should be reported. All other conditions are considered nonemergencies.

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Obtaining Technical Assistance

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Submitting a Service Request

Using the online TAC Service Request Tool is the fastest way to open S3 and S4 service requests. (S3 and S4 service requests are those in which your network is minimally impaired or for which you require product information.) After you describe your situation, the TAC Service Request Tool provides recommended solutions. If your issue is not resolved using the recommended resources, your service request is assigned to a Cisco engineer. The TAC Service Request Tool is located at this URL:

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Definitions of Service Request Severity

To ensure that all service requests are reported in a standard format, Cisco has established severity definitions.

Severity 1 (S1)—Your network is "down," or there is a critical impact to your business operations. You and Cisco will commit all necessary resources around the clock to resolve the situation.

Severity 2 (S2)—Operation of an existing network is severely degraded, or significant aspects of your business operation are negatively affected by inadequate performance of Cisco products. You and Cisco will commit full-time resources during normal business hours to resolve the situation.

Severity 3 (S3)—Operational performance of your network is impaired, but most business operations remain functional. You and Cisco will commit resources during normal business hours to restore service to satisfactory levels.

Severity 4 (S4)—You require information or assistance with Cisco product capabilities, installation, or configuration. There is little or no effect on your business operations.

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