Catalyst 6500 Series Switch Content Switching Module (CSM) Installation and Configuration Note, Software Release 2.2 - Advanced Configuration [Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Switches]

Table Of Contents

Configuring Advanced Server Load Balancing

Configuring URL Hashing

Configuring a URL Hashing Predictor

Configuring Beginning and Ending Patterns

Configuring Firewall Load Balancing

Understanding How Firewalls Work

Configuring Stealth Firewall Load Balancing

Configuring Regular Firewall Load Balancing

Configuring Generic Header Parsing

Configuring Generic Header Parsing

Configuring Persistent Connections

Configuring Connection Redundancy

Configuring a Hitless Upgrade

Configuring SNMP Traps for Real Servers

Configuring Advanced Server Load Balancing

This chapter describes how to configure advanced server load balancing (SLB) on the CSM and contains these sections:

• Configuring URL Hashing

• Configuring Firewall Load Balancing

• Configuring Generic Header Parsing

• Configuring Persistent Connections

• Configuring Connection Redundancy

• Configuring a Hitless Upgrade

• Configuring SNMP Traps for Real Servers

Configuring URL Hashing

When you choose a server farm for a connection, you can select a specific real server in that server farm. You can choose least connections, round robin, or URL hashing to select a real server.

URL hashing is a load-balancing predictor for Layer 7 connections. You can configure URL hashing on the CSM on a server farm-by-server farm basis. The CSM chooses the real server by using a hash value based on a URL. This hash value may be computed on the entire URL or on a portion of it. To select only a portion of the URL for hashing, you can specify the beginning and ending patterns in the URL so that only the portion of the URL from the specified beginning pattern through the specified ending pattern is hashed.

The CSM supports URL hashing in software release 2.1(1).

Configuring a URL Hashing Predictor

You configure the URL hashing predictor on a server farm-by-server farm basis. Unless you specify a beginning and an ending pattern (see the "Configuring Beginning and Ending Patterns" section), the entire URL is hashed and used to select a real server.

You must configure URL hashing for all server farms that will be using the URL hashing predictor, regardless of whether they are using the entire URL or a beginning and ending pattern.

To configure URL hashing as a load-balancing predictor for a server farm, perform this task:
Command

Purpose
Router(config-slb-sfarm)# 
predictor hash url
Configures the URL hashing and load-balancing predictor for a server farm.
This example shows how to configure URL hashing and load-balancing predictor for a server farm:
Router(config)# mod csm 2
Router(config-module-csm)# serverfarm farm1
Router(config-slb-sfarm)# predictor hash url
Router(config-slb-sfarm)# real 10.1.0.105
Router(config-slb-real)# inservice 
Router(config-slb-real)# exit 
Configuring Beginning and Ending Patterns

When you configure a beginning and ending pattern, you do so at the virtual server level. The pattern you define will apply to all the server farms assigned to all of the policies in that virtual server that have URL hashing enabled.

The beginning and ending pattern delimits the portion of the URL that will be hashed and used as a predictor to select a real server from a server farm that belongs to any policy assigned to that virtual server.

To hash a substring of the URL instead of the entire URL, specify the beginning and ending patterns in vserver vserver-name submode with the url-hash begin-pattern pattern-a command and url-hash end-pattern pattern-b command. Hashing occurs at the start of the beginning pattern and goes to the ending pattern.

For example, in the following URL, if the beginning pattern is c&k=, and the ending pattern is &, only the substring c&k=c is hashed:

http://quote.yahoo.com/q?s=csco&d=c&k=c1&t=2y&a=v&p=s&l=on&z=m&q=l\

Note Beginning and ending patterns are restricted to fixed constant strings. General regular expressions cannot be specified as patterns. If no beginning pattern is specified, hashing begins at the beginning of the URL. If no ending pattern is specified, hashing ends at the end of the URL.

This example shows how to configure beginning and ending patterns for URL hashing:
Router(config-module-csm)#
Router(config-module-csm)# vserver vs1
Router(config-slb-vserver)# virtual 10.1.0.81 tcp 80
Router(config-slb-vserver)# url-hash begin-pattern c&k= end-pattern &
Router(config-slb-vserver)# serverfarm farm1
Router(config-slb-vserver)# inservice 
Router(config-slb-vserver)# 
Router(config-slb-vserver)# exit
Router(config-module-csm)# exit
Configuring Firewall Load Balancing

Firewall load balancing allows you to scale firewall protection by distributing traffic across multiple firewalls on a per-connection basis. All packets belonging to a particular connection must go through the same firewall. The firewall then allows or denies transmission of individual packets across its interfaces.

This section describes how to configure firewall load balancing for regular and stealth firewalls. It covers the following topics:

• Understanding How Firewalls Work

• Configuring Stealth Firewall Load Balancing

• Configuring Regular Firewall Load Balancing

• Configuring Generic Header Parsing

Understanding How Firewalls Work

A firewall forms a physical barrier between two parts of a network, the Internet and an intranet, for example. When a firewall accepts a packet from one side (the Internet), it sends the packet through to the other side (the intranet). A firewall can modify a packet before passing it through or send it through unaltered. When a firewall rejects a packet, it usually drops the packet and logs the dropped packet as an event.

After a session is established and a flow of packets begins, a firewall can monitor each packet in the flow or allow the flow to continue, unmonitored, depending on the policies that are configured on that firewall.

Firewalls Types

The two basic types of firewalls are as follows:

•Regular firewalls

•Stealth firewalls

Regular firewalls have a presence on the network; they are assigned an IP address that allows them to be addressed as a device and seen by other devices on the network.

Stealth firewalls have no presence on the network; they are not assigned an IP address and cannot be addressed or seen by other devices on the network. To the network, a stealth firewall is part of the wire.

Both firewall types examine traffic moving in both directions (between the protected and the unprotected side of the network) and accept or reject packets based on user-defined sets of policies.

How the CSM Distributes Traffic to Firewalls

The CSM load-balances traffic to devices configured in server farms. These devices can be servers, firewalls, or any IP-addressable object including an alias IP address. The CSM uses load-balancing algorithms to determine how the traffic is balanced among the devices configured in server farms, independent of device type.

Note We recommend that you configure Layer 3 load balancing on server farms that contain firewalls, because of the interactions between higher-layer load-balancing algorithms and server applications.

Supported Firewalls

The CSM can load-balance traffic to regular or stealth firewalls.

For regular firewalls, a single CSM or a pair of CSMs balances traffic among firewalls that contain unique IP addresses, similar to how it balances traffic to servers.

For stealth firewalls, a CSM balances traffic among unique VLAN alias IP address interfaces on another CSM that provide paths through stealth firewalls. A stealth firewall is configured so that all traffic moving in both directions across that VLAN moves through the firewall.

Layer 3 Load Balancing to Firewalls

When the CSM load-balances traffic to firewalls, the CSM performs the same function that it performs when it load-balances to servers. To configure Layer 3 load balancing to firewalls, follow these steps:

Step 1 Create a server farm for each side of the firewall.

Step 2 In serverfarm submode, enter the predictor hash address command.

Step 3 Assign that server farm to the virtual server that accepts traffic destined for the firewalls.

Note When you configure Layer 3 load balancing to firewalls, use source NAT in the forward direction and destination NAT in the reverse direction.

Types of Firewall Configurations

The CSM supports these two firewall configuration types:

•Dual-CSM configuration—Firewalls are located between two CSMs. The firewalls accept traffic from one CSM and send it to a second CSM for load balancing to servers or return to the requesting device.

•Single-CSM configuration—Firewalls accept traffic from a CSM and send it back to the same CSM for load balancing to servers or return to the requesting device.

CSM Firewall Configurations

The CSM can support these firewall configurations:

•Stealth firewalls for dual CSM configurations ( Figure 5-1)

•Regular firewalls for dual CSM configurations ( Figure 5-2)

•Regular firewall for single CSM configurations ( Figure 5-3)

•Mixed firewalls (stealth and regular) for dual CSM configurations ( Figure 5-4)

In Figure 5-1, traffic moves through the firewalls and is filtered in both directions. The figure shows the flow from the Internet to the intranet. On the path to the intranet, CSM A balances traffic across VLANs 5, 6, and 7 through firewalls to CSM B. On the path to the Internet, CSM B balances traffic across VLANs 15, 16, and 17 through firewalls to CSM A. CSM A uses the VLAN aliases of CSM B in its server farm, and CSM B uses the VLAN aliases of CSM A in its server farm.

Figure 5-1 Stealth Firewall Configuration (Dual CSMs Only)

In Figure 5-2, traffic moves through the firewalls and is filtered in both directions. The figure shows the flow from the Internet to the intranet. VLANs 11 and 111 are on the same subnet, and VLANs 12 and 112 are on the same subnet.

Figure 5-2 Regular Firewall Configuration (Dual CSMs)

In Figure 5-3, traffic moves through the firewalls and is filtered in both directions. The figure only shows the flow from the Internet to the intranet, and VLANs 11 and 111 are on the same subnet.
VLANs 12 and 112 are on the same subnet.

Figure 5-3 Regular Firewall Configuration (Single CSM)

In Figure 5-4, traffic moves through both the regular and stealth firewalls and is filtered in both directions. The figure shows the flow from the Internet to the intranet. VLANs 5, 6, and 7 are shared between CSM A and CSM B. On the path to the intranet, CSM A balances traffic across VLANs 5, 6, and 7 through firewalls to CSM B. On the path to the intranet, CSM B balances traffic across VLANs 5, 6, and 7 through firewalls to CSM A.

Figure 5-4 Mixed Firewall Configuration for Stealth and Regular Firewalls (Dual CSMs Only)

Fault-Tolerant CSM Firewall Configurations

The CSM supports fault tolerance for these configurations:

•Stealth firewalls in a fault-tolerant dual CSM configuration

•Regular firewalls in a fault-tolerant dual CSM configuration

•Regular firewalls in a fault-tolerant single CSM configuration

•Mixed firewalls (stealth and regular) in a fault-tolerant dual CSM configuration

In Figure 5-5, the traffic moves through the firewalls and is filtered in both directions. The figure only shows the flow from the Internet to the intranet through the primary CSMs, and VLANs 11 and 111 are on the same subnet. VLANs 12 and 112 are on the same subnet.

Figure 5-5 Fault-Tolerant, Regular Firewall Configuration-(Dual CSMs)

Configuring Stealth Firewall Load Balancing

This section describes how to configure firewall load balancing for stealth firewalls and covers the following information:

•Packet flow in a stealth firewall configuration (dual CSMs)

•Stealth firewall configuration example

Stealth Firewall Configuration

In a stealth firewall configuration, firewalls connect to two different VLANs and are configured with IP addresses on the VLANs to which they connect. (See Figure 5-6.)

Figure 5-6 Stealth Firewall Configuration Example

Location

Traffic Direction

Arrives On

Exits On

1

To intranet

VLAN 10

VLANs 101 and 103

2

To intranet

VLANs 101 and 103

VLAN 20

3

To Internet

VLAN 20

VLANs 102 and 104

4

To Internet

VLANs 101 and 103

VLAN 10

Figure 5-6 shows two regular firewalls (Firewall 1 and Firewall 2) sandwiched between two CSMs
(CSM A and CSM B).

Note Stealth firewalls do not have addresses on VLANs.

On the path from the Internet to the intranet, traffic enters the insecure side of the firewalls through separate VLANs, VLAN 101 and VLAN 103, and exits the secure side of the firewalls through separate VLANs, VLAN 102 and VLAN 104. On the path from the intranet to the Internet, the flow is reversed. VLANs also provide connectivity to the Internet (VLAN 10) and to the intranet (VLAN 20).

In a stealth configuration, CSM A and CSM B load balance traffic through the firewalls.

Stealth Firewall Configuration Example

The stealth firewall configuration example contains two CSMs (CSM A and CSM B) installed in separate Catalyst 6000 family switches.

Note In a stealth firewall configuration, each CSM must be installed in a separate Catalyst 6000 family switch.

This section describes how to create the stealth firewall configuration for CSM A and CSM B.

Configuring CSM A (Stealth Firewall Example)

To create the regular configuration example, perform these tasks for CSM A:

• Creating VLANs on Switch A

• Configuring VLANs on CSM A

• Configuring Server Farms on CSM A

• Configuring Virtual Servers on CSM A

Note Although the configuration tasks are the same for both for CSM A and CSM B, the steps, commands, and parameters that you enter are different.

Creating VLANs on Switch A

To create two VLANs on switch A, perform this task:
Command

Purpose
Step 1
Switch-A(config)# vlan database
Enters the VLAN mode.¹
Step 2
Switch-A(vlan)# vlan 10
Creates VLAN 10².
Step 3
Switch-A(vlan)# vlan 101
Creates VLAN 101³.
Step 4
Switch-A(vlan)# vlan 103
Creates VLAN 103⁴.
¹Do this step on the switch console of the switch that contains CSM A.

²VLAN 10 connects CSM A to the Internet.

³VLAN 101 provides a connection through Firewall 1 to CSM B.

⁴VLAN 103 provides a connection through Firewall 2 to CSM B
Configuring VLANs on CSM A

To configure the three VLANs, perform this task:
Command

Purpose
Step 1
Switch-A(config)# module csm 5
Enters multiple module configuration mode and specifies that CSM A is installed in slot 5.
Step 2
Switch-A(config-module-csm)# vlan 10 
client
Specifies VLAN 10 as the VLAN that is being configured, identifies it as a client VLAN, and enters VLAN configuration mode.
Step 3
Switch-A(config-slb-vlan-client)# ip 
address 10.0.1.35 255.255.255.0
Specifies an IP address and netmask for VLAN 10.
Step 4
Switch-A(config-slb-vlan-client)# alias 
10.0.1.30 255.255.255.0
Specifies an alias IP address and netmask for VLAN 10¹.
Step 5
Switch-A(config-slb-vlan-client)# exit
Returns to VLAN configuration mode.
Step 6
Switch-A(config-module-csm)# vlan 101 
server
Specifies VLAN 101 as the VLAN that is being configured, identifies it as a server VLAN, and enters VLAN configuration mode.
Step 7
Switch-A(config-slb-vlan-server)# ip 
address 10.0.101.35 255.255.255.0
Specifies an IP address and netmask for VLAN 101.
Step 8
Switch-A(config-slb-vlan-server)# alias 
10.0.101.100 255.255.255.0
Specifies an alias IP address and netmask for VLAN 101 1.
Step 9
Switch-A(config-slb-vlan-server)# exit
Returns to VLAN configuration mode.
Step 10
Switch-A(config-module-csm)# vlan 103 
server
Specifies VLAN 103 as the VLAN that is being configured, identifies it as a server VLAN, and enters VLAN configuration mode.
Step 11
Switch-A(config-slb-vlan)# ip address 
10.0.102.35 255.255.255.0
Specifies an IP address and netmask for VLAN 103.
Step 12
Switch-A(config-slb-vlan)# alias 
10.0.102.100 255.255.255.0
Specifies an alias IP address and netmask for VLAN 103 1.
¹This step provides a target for CSM B to use in making a load-balancing decision.
Configuring Server Farms on CSM A

Note Because the IP addresses of CSM B are listed in the INSIDE-SF server farm as real servers, CSM A will load balance the two firewalls that exist in the path to CSM B.

To configure two server farms on CSM A, perform this task:
Command

Purpose
Step 1
Switch-A(config)# module csm 5
Enters multiple module configuration mode and specifies that CSM A is installed in slot 5.
Step 2
Switch-A(config-module-csm)# serverfarm 
FORWARD-SF
Creates and names the FORWARD-SF¹ server farm (actually a forwarding policy) and enters server farm configuration mode.
Step 3
Switch-A(config-slb-sfarm)# no nat server
Disables the NAT of server IP addresses and port numbers².
Step 4
Switch-A(config-slb-sfarm)# predictor 
forward
Forwards traffic in accordance with its internal routing tables rather than a load-balancing algorithm.
Step 5
Switch-A(config-slb-sfarm)# exit
Returns to multiple module configuration mode.
Step 6
Switch-A(config-module-csm)# serverfarm 
TO-INSIDE-SF
Creates and names the INSIDE-SF³ server farm (that will contain alias IP addresses rather than real servers) and enters server farm configuration mode.
Step 7
Switch-A(config-slb-sfarm)# no nat server
Disables the NAT of server IP address and port number⁴.
Step 8
Switch-A(config-slb-sfarm)# predictor 
hash address source 255.255.255.255
Selects a server using a hash value based on the source IP address⁵.
Step 9
Switch-A(config-slb-sfarm)# real 
10.0.101.200
Identifies the alias IP address of CSM B that lies on the path to Firewall 1 as a real server and enters real server configuration submode.
Step 10
Switch-A(config-slb-real)# inservice
Enables the firewall.
Step 11
Switch-A(config-slb-real)# exit
Returns to server farm configuration mode.
Step 12
Switch-A(config-slb-sfarm)# real 
10.0.102.200
Identifies the alias IP address of CSM B that lies on the path to Firewall 2 as a real server and enters real server configuration submode.
Step 13
Switch-A(config-slb-real)# inservice
Enables the firewall.
¹FORWARD-SF is actually a route forwarding policy, not an actual server farm, that allows traffic to reach the Internet (through VLAN 10). It does not contain any real servers.

²This step is required when configuring a server farm that contains a forwarding policy rather than real servers.

³INSIDE-SF contains the two alias IP addresses of CSM B listed as real servers that allow traffic from the intranet to reach CSM B.

⁴This step is required when configuring a server farm that contains firewalls.

⁵We recommend this step when configuring insecure-side firewall interfaces in a server farm.
Configuring Virtual Servers on CSM A

To configure three virtual servers on CSM A, perform this task:
Command

Purpose
Step 1
Switch-A(config)# module csm 5
Enters multiple module configuration mode and specifies that the CSM A is installed in slot 5.
Step 2
Switch-A(config-module-csm)# vserver 
FORWARD-V101
Specifies FORWARD-V101¹ as the virtual server that is being configured and enters virtual server configuration mode.
Step 3
Switch-A(config-slb-vserver)# virtual 
0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 any
Specifies a match for any IP address and any protocol².
Step 4
Switch-A(config-slb-vserver))# vlan 101
Specifies that the virtual server will only accept traffic arriving on VLAN 101, which is traffic arriving from the insecure side of the firewalls.
Step 5
Switch-A(config-slb-vserver)# serverfarm 
FORWARD-SF
Specifies the server farm for this virtual server³.
Step 6
Switch-A(config-slb-vserver)# inservice
Enables the virtual server.
Step 7
Switch-A(config-slb-vserver)# exit
Returns to multiple module configuration mode.
Step 8
Switch-A(config-module-csm)# vserver 
FORWARD-V103
Specifies FORWARD-V103⁴ as the virtual server that is being configured and enters virtual server configuration mode.
Step 9
Switch-A(config-slb-vserver)# virtual 
0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 any
Specifies a match for any IP address and any protocol⁵.
Step 10
Switch-A(config-slb-vserver))# vlan 103
Specifies that the virtual server will only accept traffic arriving on VLAN 103, which is traffic arriving from the insecure side of the firewalls.
Step 11
Switch-A(config-slb-vserver)# serverfarm 
FORWARD-SF
Specifies the server farm for this virtual server 3.
Step 12
Switch-A(config-slb-vserver)# inservice
Enables the virtual server.
Step 13
Switch-A(config-slb-vserver)# exit
Returns to multiple module configuration mode.
Step 14
Switch-A(config-module-csm)# vserver 
OUTSIDE-VS
Specifies OUTSIDE-VS⁶ as the virtual server that is being configured and enters virtual server configuration mode.
Step 15
Switch-A(config-slb-vserver)# virtual 
10.1.0.0 255.255.255.0 any
Specifies the IP address, netmask, and protocol (any) for this virtual server. Clients reach the server farm represented by this virtual server through this address.
Step 16
Switch-A(config-slb-vserver))# vlan 10
Specifies that the virtual server will only accept traffic arriving on VLAN 10, which is traffic arriving from the Internet.
Step 17
Switch-A(config-slb-vserver)# serverfarm 
TO-INSIDE-SF
Specifies the server farm for this virtual server⁷.
Step 18
Switch-A(config-slb-vserver)# inservice
Enables the virtual server.
¹FORWARD-V101 allows Internet traffic to reach the insecure side of the firewalls (through VLAN 101).

²Client matching is only limited by VLAN restrictions (see Step 4).

³This server farm is actually a forwarding predictor rather than an actual server farm containing real servers.

⁴FORWARD-V103 allows Internet traffic to reach the insecure side of the firewalls (through VLAN 103).

⁵Clients will always match-only being limited by VLAN restrictions. (See Step 10.)

⁶OUTSIDE-VS allows traffic from the Internet to reach CSM A (through VLAN 10).

⁷The server farm contains the alias IP addresses of CSM B that lie along the path of Firewall 1 and Firewall 2.
Configuring CSM B (Stealth Firewall Example)

To create the regular configuration example, perform the following configuration tasks for CSM B:

• Creating VLANs on Switch B

• Configuring VLANs on CSM B

• Configuring Server Farms on CSM B

• Configuring Virtual Servers on CSM B

Note Although the configuration tasks are the same for both CSM A and CSM B, the steps, commands, and parameters that you enter are different.

Creating VLANs on Switch B

To create three VLANs on Switch B, perform this task:

Note This example assumes that the CSMs are in separate Catalyst 6000 family switches. If they are in the same chassis, you can create all of the VLANs on the same Catalyst 6000 family switch console.
Command

Purpose
Step 1
Switch-B(config)# vlan database
Enters the VLAN mode¹.
Step 2
Switch-B(vlan)# vlan 102
Creates VLAN 102².
Step 3
Switch-B(vlan)# vlan 104
Creates VLAN 104³.
Step 4
Switch-B(vlan)# vlan 200
Creates VLAN 200⁴.
¹Do this step on the switch console of the switch that contains CSM B.

²VLAN 102 provides a connection through Firewall 1 to CSM A.

³VLAN 104 provides a connection through Firewall 2 to CSM A.

⁴VLAN 200 provides the connection to the internal network.
Configuring VLANs on CSM B

To configure the three VLANs, perform this task:
Command

Purpose
Step 1
Switch-B(config)# module csm 6
Enters multiple module configuration mode and specifies that CSM B is installed in slot 6.
Step 2
Switch-B(config-module-csm)# vlan 102 
server
Specifies VLAN 102 as the VLAN that is being configured, identifies it as a server VLAN, and enters VLAN configuration mode.
Step 3
Switch-B(config-slb-vlan-server)# ip 
address 10.0.101.36 255.255.255.0
Specifies an IP address and netmask for VLAN 102.
Step 4
Switch-B(config-slb-vlan-server)# alias 
10.0.101.200 255.255.255.0
Specifies an alias IP address and netmask for VLAN 102¹.
Step 5
Switch-B(config-slb-vlan-server)# exit
Returns to multiple module configuration mode.
Step 6
Switch-B(config-module-csm)# vlan 104 
server
Specifies VLAN 104 as the VLAN that is being configured, identifies it as a server VLAN, and enters VLAN configuration mode.
Step 7
Switch-B(config-slb-vlan-server)# ip 
address 10.0.102.36 255.255.255.0
Specifies an IP address and netmask for VLAN 104.
Step 8
Switch-B(config-slb-vlan)# alias 
10.0.102.200 255.255.255.0
Specifies an alias IP address and netmask for VLAN 104 1.
Step 9
Switch-B(config-slb-vlan-server)# exit
Returns to multiple module configuration mode.
Step 10
Switch-B(config-module-csm)# vlan 20 
server
Specifies VLAN 20 as the VLAN that is being configured, identifies it as a server VLAN, and enters VLAN configuration mode.
Step 11
Switch-B(config-slb-vlan-server)# ip 
address 10.1.0.36 255.255.255.0
Specifies an IP address and netmask for VLAN 20.
¹This step provides a target for CSM A to use in making a load-balancing decision.
Configuring Server Farms on CSM B

To configure three server farms on CSM B, perform this task:

Note SERVERS-SF specifies that client NAT will be performed using a pool of client NAT addresses that are created earlier in the example using the natpool command. You must create the NAT pool before referencing the command.
Command

Purpose
Step 1
Switch-B(config)# module csm 6
Enters multiple module configuration mode and specifies that CSM B is installed in slot 6.
Step 2
Switch-B(config-module-csm)# serverfarm 
FORWARD-SF
Creates and names the FORWARD-SF¹ server farm (actually a forwarding policy) and enters server farm configuration mode.
Step 3
Switch-B(config-slb-sfarm)# no nat server
Disables the NAT of server IP addresses and port numbers².
Step 4
Switch-B(config-slb-sfarm)# predictor 
forward
Forwards traffic in accordance with its internal routing tables rather than a load-balancing algorithm.
Step 5
Switch-B(config-slb-sfarm)# exit
Returns to multiple module configuration mode.
Step 6
Switch-B(config-module-csm)# serverfarm 
TO-OUTSIDE-SF
Creates and names the GENERIC-SF server farm and enters server farm configuration mode³.
Step 7
Switch-B(config-slb-sfarm)# no nat server
Disables NAT of server IP addresses and port numbers⁴.
Step 8
Switch-B(config-slb-sfarm)# real 
10.0.101.100
Identifies the alias IP address of CSM A that lies on the path to Firewall 1 as a real server and enters real server configuration submode.
Step 9
Switch-B(config-slb-real)# inservice
Enables the real (actually an alias IP address).
Step 10
Switch-B(config-slb-real)# exit
Returns to server farm configuration mode.
Step 11
Switch-B(config-slb-sfarm)# real 
10.0.102.100
Identifies the alias IP address of CSM B that lies on the path to Firewall 2 as a real server and enters real server configuration submode.
Step 12
Switch-B(config-slb-real)# inservice
Enables the real server (actually an alias IP address).
Step 13
Switch-B(config-slb-real)# exit
Returns to server farm configuration mode.
Step 14
Switch-B(config-module-csm)# serverfarm 
SERVERS-SF
Creates and names the SERVERS-SF⁵ server farm and enters serverfarm configuration mode.
Step 15
Switch-B(config-slb-sfarm)# real 
10.1.0.101
Identifies a server in the intranet as a real server, assigns it an IP address, and enters real server configuration submode.
Step 16
Switch-B(config-slb-real)# inservice
Enables the real server.
Step 17
Switch-B(config-slb-real)# exit
Returns to server farm configuration mode.
Step 18
Switch-B(config-slb-sfarm)# real 
10.1.0.102
Identifies a server in the intranet as a real server, assigns it an IP address, and enters real server configuration submode.
Step 19
Switch-B(config-slb-real)# inservice
Enables the real server.
Step 20
Switch-B(config-slb-sfarm)# real 
10.1.0.103
Identifies a server in the intranet as a real server, assigns it an IP address, and enters real server configuration submode.
Step 21
Switch-B(config-slb-real)# inservice
Enables the real server.
¹FORWARD-SF is actually a route forwarding policy, not an actual server farm, that allows traffic to reach the intranet (through VLAN 20). It does not contain any real servers.

²This is a required step when configuring a server farm that contains a forwarding policy rather than real servers.

³OUTSIDE-SF contains the two alias IP addresses of CSM A as the real servers allowing traffic from the intranet to reach CSM A.

⁴This is a required step when configuring a server farm that contains a forwarding policy rather than real servers.

⁵SERVERS-SF contains the IP addresses of the real servers located within the intranet.
Configuring Virtual Servers on CSM B

To configure three virtual servers on CSM, perform this task:
Command

Purpose
Step 1
Switch-B(config)# module csm 6
Enters multiple module configuration mode and specifies that CSM B is installed in slot 6.
Step 2
Switch-B(config-module-csm)# vserver 
FORWARD-VS-102
Specifies FORWARD-VS as the virtual server that is being configured and enters virtual server configuration mode.
Step 3
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# virtual 
0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 any
Specifies a match for any IP address and any protocol¹.
Step 4
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# vlan 102
Specifies that the virtual server will only accept traffic arriving on VLAN 102, which is traffic arriving from the secure side of the Firewall 1.
Step 5
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# serverfarm 
FORWARD-SF
Specifies the server farm for this virtual server².
Step 6
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# inservice
Enables the virtual server.
Step 7
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# exit
Returns to multiple module configuration mode.
Step 8
Switch-B(config-module-csm)# vserver 
FORWARD-VS-104
Specifies FORWARD-VS³ as the virtual server that is being configured and enters virtual server configuration mode.
Step 9
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# virtual 
0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 any
Specifies a match for any IP address and any protocol 1.
Step 10
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# vlan 104
Specifies that the virtual server will only accept traffic arriving on VLAN 104, which is traffic arriving from the secure side of the Firewall 2.
Step 11
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# serverfarm 
FORWARD-SF
Specifies the server farm for this virtual server 2.
Step 12
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# inservice
Enables the virtual server.
Step 13
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# exit
Returns to multiple module configuration mode.
Step 14
Switch-B(config-module-csm)# vserver 
INSIDE-VS
Specifies INSIDE-VS⁴ as the virtual server that is being configured and enters virtual server configuration mode.
Step 15
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# virtual 
0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 any
Specifies a match for any IP address and any protocol 1.
Step 16
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# vlan 20
Specifies that the virtual server will only accept traffic arriving on VLAN 20, which is traffic arriving from the intranet.
Step 17
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# serverfarm 
TO-OUTSIDE-SF
Specifies the server farm for this virtual server (containing the alias IP addresses of CSM A as real servers and allowing traffic to flow through Firewalls 1 and 2) and enters real server configuration submode.
Step 18
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# inservice
Enables the virtual server.
Step 19
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# exit
Returns to multiple module configuration mode.
Step 20
Switch-B(config-module-csm)# vserver 
TELNET-VS
Specifies TELNET-VS⁵ as the virtual server that is being configured and enters virtual server configuration mode.

Note TELNET-VS does not use a VLAN limit; any source traffic (from firewalls or internal network) will be load balanced through this address.
Step 21
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# virtual 
10.1.0.200 255.255.255.0 tcp telnet
Specifies the IP address, netmask, protocol (TCP), and port (Telnet) for this virtual server⁶.
Step 22
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# serverfarm 
SERVERS-SF
Specifies the server farm containing real servers for this virtual server.
Step 23
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# inservice
Enables the virtual server.
¹Client matching is only limited by VLAN restrictions.

²This server farm is actually a forwarding predictor rather than an actual server farm containing real servers.

³FORWARD-VS allows traffic from the Internet to reach the intranet through VLAN 20.

⁴INSIDE-VS allows traffic from the intranet to reach CSM A through Firewall 1 (through VLANs 102 and 101) or
Firewall 2 (through VLANs 104 and 103).

⁵TELNET-VS allows traffic from the Internet to reach Telnet servers in the internal network.

⁶Clients reach the server farm represented by this virtual server through this address.
Configuring Regular Firewall Load Balancing

This section describes how to configure firewall load balancing for regular firewalls and provides the following information:

•Packet flow in a regular firewall configuration (dual CSMs)

•Regular firewall configuration example

Packet Flow in a Regular Firewall Configuration

In a regular firewall configuration, firewalls connect to two different VLANs and are configured with IP addresses on the VLANs to which they connect. (See Figure 5-7.)

Figure 5-7 Regular Firewall Configuration Example

Item

Traffic Direction

Arrives On

Exits On

1

To intranet

VLAN 100

VLANs 101

2

To intranet

VLANs 201

VLAN 200 and 20

3

To Internet

VLAN 200 and 20

VLANs 201

4

To Internet

VLANs 101

VLAN 100

Figure 5-7 shows two regular firewalls (Firewall 1 and Firewall 2) located between two CSMs
(CSM A and CSM B). Traffic enters and exits the firewalls through shared VLANs (VLAN 101 and VLAN 201). Both regular firewalls have unique addresses on each shared VLAN.

VLANs provide connectivity to the Internet (VLAN 100), the internal network (VLAN 200), and to internal server farms (VLAN 20).

The CSM balances traffic among regular firewalls as if they were real servers. Regular firewalls are configured in server farms with IP addresses like real servers. The server farms to which regular firewalls belong are assigned a load-balancing predictor and are associated with virtual servers.

Regular Firewall Configuration Example

The regular firewall configuration example contains two CSMs (CSM A and CSM B) installed in separate Catalyst 6000 family switches.

Note You can use this example when configuring two CSMs in the same Catalyst 6000 family switch chassis. You can also use this example when configuring a single CSM in a single switch chassis, assuming that you specify the slot number of that CSM when configuring both CSM A and CSM B.

Configuring CSM A (Regular Firewall Example)

To create the regular configuration example, perform the following configuration tasks for CSM A:

• Creating VLANs on Switch A

• Configuring VLANs on CSM A

• Configuring Server Farms on CSM A

• Configuring Virtual Servers on CSM A

Note Although the configuration tasks are the same for both CSM A and CSM B, the steps, commands, and parameters that you enter are different.

Creating VLANs on Switch A

The example, shown in Figure 5-7, requires that you create two VLANs on Switch A.

Note This example assumes that the CSMs are in separate Catalyst 6000 family switch chassis. If they are in the same chassis, all of the VLANs can be created on the same Catalyst 6000 family switch console.

To configure VLANs on Switch A, perform this task:
Command

Purpose
Step 1
Switch-A(config)# vlan database
Enters the VLAN mode¹.
Step 2
Switch-A(vlan)# vlan 100
Creates VLAN 100².
Step 3
Switch-A(vlan)# vlan 101
Creates VLAN 101³.
¹Do this step on the switch console of the switch that contains CSM A.

²VLAN 100 connects CSM A to the Internet.

³VLAN 101 connects CSM A to the insecure side of the firewalls.
Configuring VLANs on CSM A

To configure the two VLANs, perform this task:
Command

Purpose
Step 1
Switch-A(config)# module csm 5
Enters multiple module configuration mode and specifies that CSM A is installed in slot 5.
Step 2
Switch-A(config-module-csm)# vlan 100 
client
Specifies VLAN 100 as the VLAN that is being configured, identifies it as a client VLAN, and enters VLAN configuration mode.
Step 3
Switch-A(config-slb-vlan-client)# ip 
address 100.0.0.25 255.255.255.0
Specifies an IP address and netmask for VLAN 100.
Step 4
Switch-A(config-slb-vlan-client)# gateway 
100.0.0.13
Configures a gateway IP address for the router on the Internet side of CSM A.
Step 5
Switch-A(config-slb-vlan-client)# exit
Returns to multiple module configuration mode.
Step 6
Switch-A(config-module-csm)# vlan 101 
server
Specifies VLAN 101 as the VLAN that is being configured, identifies it as a server VLAN, and enters VLAN configuration mode.
Step 7
Switch-A(config-slb-vlan-server)# ip 
address 100.0.0.25 255.255.255.0
Specifies an IP address and netmask for VLAN 101.
Step 8
Switch-A(config-slb-vlan-server)# alias 
100.0.0.20 255.255.255.0
Specifies an alias IP address and netmask for VLAN 101¹.
¹This step provides a target for CSM B to use in making a load-balancing decision.
Configuring Server Farms on CSM A

Note Firewall 1 and Firewall 2 secure-side IP addresses are configured as real servers in the SEC-SF server farm associated with CSM B.

To configure two server farms on CSM A, perform this task:
Command

Purpose
Step 1
Switch-A(config)# module csm 5
Enters multiple module configuration mode and specifies that CSM A is installed in slot 5.
Step 2
Switch-A(config-module-csm)# serverfarm 
FORWARD-SF
Creates and names the FORWARD-SF¹ server farm (actually a forwarding policy) and enters server farm configuration mode.
Step 3
Switch-A(config-slb-sfarm)# no nat server
Disables the NAT of server IP addresses and port numbers².
Step 4
Switch-A(config-slb-sfarm)# predictor 
forward
Forwards traffic by adhering to its internal routing tables rather than a load-balancing algorithm.
Step 5
Switch-A(config-slb-sfarm)# exit
Returns to multiple module configuration mode.
Step 6
Switch-A(config-module-csm)# serverfarm 
INSEC-SF
Creates and names the INSEC-SF³ server farm (which will contain firewalls as real servers) and enters server farm configuration mode.
Step 7
Switch-A(config-slb-sfarm)# no nat server
Disables the NAT of server IP address and port number⁴.
Step 8
Switch-A(config-slb-sfarm)# predictor 
hash address source 255.255.255.255
Selects a server using a hash value based on the source IP address⁵.
Step 9
Switch-A(config-slb-sfarm)# real 
100.0.0.3
Identifies Firewall 1 as a real server, assigns an IP address to its insecure side, and enters real server configuration submode.
Step 10
Switch-A(config-slb-real)# inservice
Enables the firewall.
Step 11
Switch-A(config-slb-real)# exit
Returns to server farm configuration mode.
Step 12
Switch-A(config-slb-sfarm)# real 
100.0.0.4
Identifies Firewall 2 as a real server, assigns an IP address to its insecure side, and enters real server configuration submode.
Step 13
Switch-A(config-slb-real)# inservice
Enables the firewall.
¹FORWARD-SF is actually a route forwarding policy, not an actual server farm, that allows traffic to reach the Internet (through VLAN 100); it does not contain any real servers.

²This is a required step when configuring a server farm that contains a forwarding policy rather than real servers.

³INSEC-SF contains (Firewall 1 and Firewall 2); their insecure-side IP addresses are configured as real servers in this server farm.

⁴This is a required step when configuring a server farm that contains firewalls.

⁵We recommend this step when configuring insecure-side firewall interfaces in a server farm.
Configuring Virtual Servers on CSM A

To configure two virtual servers on CSM A, perform this task:
Command

Purpose
Step 1
Switch-A(config)# module csm 5
Enters multiple module configuration mode and specifies that the CSM A is installed in slot 5.
Step 2
Switch-A(config-module-csm)# vserver 
FORWARD-VS
Specifies FORWARD-VS¹ as the virtual server that is being configured and enters virtual server configuration mode.
Step 3
Switch-A(config-slb-vserver)# virtual 
0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 any
Specifies a match for any IP address and any protocol².
Step 4
Switch-A(config-slb-vserver))# vlan 101
Specifies that the virtual server will only accept traffic arriving on VLAN 101, which is traffic arriving from the insecure side of the firewalls.
Step 5
Switch-A(config-slb-vserver)# serverfarm 
FORWARD-SF
Specifies the server farm for this virtual server³.
Step 6
Switch-A(config-slb-vserver)# inservice
Enables the virtual server.
Step 7
Switch-A(config-slb-vserver)# exit
Returns to multiple module configuration mode.
Step 8
Switch-A(config-module-csm)# vserver 
INSEC-VS
Specifies INSEC-VS⁴ as the virtual server that is being configured and enters virtual server configuration mode.
Step 9
Switch-A(config-slb-vserver)# virtual 
200.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 any
Specifies the IP address, netmask, and protocol (any) for this virtual server⁵.
Step 10
Switch-A(config-slb-vserver))# vlan 100
Specifies that the virtual server will only accept traffic arriving on VLAN 100, which is traffic arriving from the Internet.
Step 11
Switch-A(config-slb-vserver)# serverfarm 
INSEC-SF
Specifies the server farm for this virtual server⁶.
Step 12
Switch-A(config-slb-vserver)# inservice
Enables the virtual server.
¹FORWARD-VS allows Internet traffic to reach the insecure side of the firewalls (through VLAN 101).

²Client matching is only limited by VLAN restrictions (see Step 4).

³This server farm is actually a forwarding predictor rather than an actual server farm containing real servers.

⁴INSEC-VS allows traffic from the Internet to reach CSM A (through VLAN 101).

⁵Clients reach the server farm represented by this virtual server through this address.

⁶The server farm contains firewalls rather than real servers.
Configuring CSM B (Regular Firewall Example)

To create the regular configuration example, perform the following configuration tasks for CSM B:

• Creating VLANs on Switch B

• Configuring VLANs on CSM B

• Configuring Server Farms on CSM B

• Configuring Virtual Servers on CSM B

Note Although the configuration tasks are the same for both CSM A and CSM B, the steps, commands, and parameters that you enter are different.

Creating VLANs on Switch B

Note This example assumes that the CSMs are in separate Catalyst 6000 family switch chassis. If they are in the same chassis, all of the VLANs can be created on the same Catalyst 6000 family switch console.

To create three VLANs on Switch B, perform this task:
Command

Purpose
Step 1
Switch-B(config)# vlan database
Enters the VLAN mode¹.
Step 2
Switch-B(vlan)# vlan 201
Creates VLAN 201².
Step 3
Switch-B(vlan)# vlan 200
Creates VLAN 200³.
Step 4
Switch-B(vlan)# vlan 20
Creates VLAN 20⁴.
¹Do this step on the switch console of the switch that contains CSM B.

²VLAN 201 provides the connection to the secure side of the firewalls.

³VLAN 20 provides the connection to the internal server farms.

⁴VLAN 200 provides the connection to the internal network.
Configuring VLANs on CSM B

To configure the three VLANs on CSM B, perform this task:
Command

Purpose
Step 1
Switch-B(config)# module csm 6
Enters multiple module configuration mode and specifies that CSM B is installed in slot 6.
Step 2
Switch-B(config-module-csm)# vlan 201 
server
Specifies VLAN 201 as the VLAN that is being configured, identifies it as a server VLAN, and enters VLAN configuration mode.
Step 3
Switch-B(config-slb-vlan-server)# ip 
address 200.0.0.26 255.255.255.0
Specifies an IP address and netmask for VLAN 201.
Step 4
Switch-B(config-slb-vlan-server)# alias 
200.0.0.20 255.255.255.0
Specifies an alias IP address and netmask for VLAN 201¹.
Step 5
Switch-B(config-slb-vlan-server)# exit
Returns to VLAN configuration mode.
Step 6
Switch-B(config-module-csm)# vlan 20 
server
Specifies VLAN 20 as the VLAN that is being configured, identifies it as a server VLAN, and enters VLAN configuration mode.
Step 7
Switch-B(config-slb-vlan-server)# ip 
address 10.1.0.26 255.255.255.0
Specifies an IP address and netmask for VLAN 20.
Step 8
Switch-B(config-slb-vlan-server)# exit
Returns to VLAN configuration mode.
Step 9
Switch-B(config-module-csm)# vlan 200 
client
Specifies VLAN 200 as the VLAN that is being configured, identifies it as a client VLAN, and enters VLAN configuration mode.
Step 10
Switch-B(config-slb-vlan)# ip address 
200.0.0.26 255.255.255.0
Specifies an IP address and netmask for VLAN 200.
¹This step provides a target for CSM A to use in making a load-balancing decision.
Configuring Server Farms on CSM B

Note Firewall 1 and Firewall 2 secure-side IP addresses are configured as real servers in the INSEC-SF server farm associated with CSM A.

To configure two server farms on CSM B, perform this task:
Command

Purpose
Step 1
Switch-B(config)# module csm 6
Enters multiple module configuration mode and specifies that CSM B is installed in slot 6.
Step 2
Switch-B(config-module-csm)# serverfarm 
GENERIC-SF
Creates and names the GENERIC-SF¹ server farm and enters server farm configuration mode.
Step 3
Switch-B(config-slb-sfarm)# real 
10.1.0.101
Identifies a server in the internal server farm as a real server, assigns it an IP address, and enters real server configuration submode.
Step 4
Switch-B(config-slb-real)# inservice
Enables the real server.
Step 5
Switch-B(config-slb-real)# exit
Returns to server farm configuration mode.
Step 6
Switch-B(config-slb-sfarm)# real 
10.1.0.102
Identifies a server in the internal server farm as a real server, assigns it an IP address, and enters real server configuration submode.
Step 7
Switch-B(config-slb-real)# inservice
Enables the real server.
Step 8
Switch-B(config-slb-real)# exit
Returns to server farm configuration mode.
Step 9
Switch-B(config-slb-sfarm)# exit
Returns to multiple module configuration mode.
Step 10
Switch-B(config-module-csm)# serverfarm 
SEC-SF
Creates and names the SEC-SF² server farm and enters server farm configuration mode.
Step 11
Switch-B(config-slb-sfarm)# no nat server
Disables the NAT of server IP address and port number³.
Step 12
Switch-B(config-slb-sfarm)# predictor 
hash address destination 255.255.255.255
Selects a server using a hash value based on the destination IP address⁴.
Step 13
Switch-B(config-slb-sfarm)# real 
200.0.0.3
Identifies Firewall 1 as a real server, assigns an IP address to its insecure side, and enters real server configuration submode.
Step 14
Switch-B(config-slb-real)# inservice
Enables the firewall.
Step 15
Switch-B(config-slb-real)# exit
Returns to server farm configuration mode.
Step 16
Switch-B(config-slb-sfarm)# real 
200.0.0.4
Identifies Firewall 2 as a real server, assigns an IP address to its insecure side, and enters real server configuration submode.
Step 17
Switch-B(config-slb-real)# inservice
Enables the firewall.
¹GENERIC-SF contains the real servers in the internal server farm.

²SEC-SF contains (firewall 1 and firewall 2)-their secure-side IP addresses are configured as real servers in this server farm.

³This is a required step when configuring a server farm that contains firewalls.

⁴We recommend this step when configuring secure-side firewall interfaces in a server farm.
Configuring Virtual Servers on CSM B

To configure three virtual servers on CSM B, perform this task:
Command

Purpose
Step 1
Switch-B(config)# module csm 6
Enters multiple module configuration mode and specifies that CSM B is installed in slot 6.
Step 2
Switch-B(config-module-csm)# vserver 
GENERIC-VS
Specifies GENERIC-VS¹ as the virtual server that is being configured and enters virtual server configuration mode.
Step 3
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# virtual 
200.0.0.127 tcp 0
Specifies the IP address, protocol (TCP), and port (0=any) for this virtual server².
Step 4
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver))# vlan 201
Specifies that the virtual server will only accept traffic arriving on VLAN 201, which is traffic arriving from the secure side of the firewalls.
Step 5
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# serverfarm 
GENERIC-SF
Specifies the server farm for this virtual server³.
Step 6
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# inservice
Enables the virtual server.
Step 7
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# exit
Returns to multiple module configuration mode.
Step 8
Switch-B(config-module-csm)# vserver 
SEC-20-VS
Specifies SEC-20-VS⁴ as the virtual server that is being configured and enters virtual server configuration mode.
Step 9
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# virtual 
200.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 any
Specifies the IP address, netmask, and protocol (any) for this virtual server 2.
Step 10
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver))# vlan 20
Specifies that the virtual server will only accept traffic arriving on VLAN 20, which is traffic arriving from the internal server farms.
Step 11
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# serverfarm 
SEC-SF
Specifies the server farm for this virtual server⁵.
Step 12
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# inservice
Enables the virtual server.
Step 13
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# exit
Returns to multiple module configuration mode.
Step 14
Switch-B(config-module-csm)# vserver 
SEC-200-VS
Specifies SEC-20-VS⁶ as the virtual server that is being configured and enters virtual server configuration mode.
Step 15
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# virtual 
200.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 any
Specifies the IP address, netmask, and protocol (any) for this virtual server 2.
Step 16
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver))# vlan 200
Specifies that the virtual server will only accept traffic arriving on VLAN 200, which is traffic arriving from the internal network.
Step 17
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# serverfarm 
SEC-SF
Specifies the server farm for this virtual server 5.
Step 18
Switch-B(config-slb-vserver)# inservice
Enables the virtual server.
¹GENERIC-VS allows traffic from the internal server farms and the internal network that is destined for the Internet to reach the secure side of the firewalls (through VLAN 101).

²Clients reach the server farm represented by this virtual server through this address.

³The server farm exists in the internal server farms network.

⁴SEC-20-VS allows traffic from the Internet to reach the internal server farms (through VLAN 20).

⁵The server farm contains firewalls rather than real servers.

⁶SEC-200-VS allows traffic from the Internet to reach the internal network (through VLAN 20).
Configuring Generic Header Parsing

In software release 2.1(1), the CSM supports generic HTTP request header parsing. The HTTP request header contains fields that describe how content should be formatted to meet the user's requirements.

The CSM uses the information it learns by parsing and matching fields in the HTTP header along with policy information to make load-balancing decisions. For example, by parsing the browser-type field in the HTTP header, the CSM can determine if a user is accessing the content with a mobile browser and can select a server that contains content formatted for a mobile browser.

An example of a HTTP Get request header record is as follows:
GET /?u HTTP/1.1<0D><0A>	
Accept: image/gif, image/x-xbitmap, image/jpeg, image/pjpeg<0D><0A>
Referer: http://www.yahoo.com/<0D><0A>
Accept-Language: en-us<0D><0A>
Accept-Encoding: gzip, deflate<0D><0A>
User-Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 5.0; Windows NT; DigExt)<0D><0A>
Host: finance.yahoo.com<0D><0A>
Connection: Keep-Alive<0D><0A>
Cookie: B=51g3cjstaq3vm; Y=1<0D><0A>
<0D><0A>
Configuring Generic Header Parsing

You configure generic header parsing by entering commands that instruct the CSM to perform policy matching on fields in the HTTP header. These sections describe how to configure generic header parsing on the CSM:

• Creating a Map for the HTTP Header

• Specifying Header Fields and Match Values

• Assigning an HTTP Header Map to a Policy

• Assigning the Policy to a Virtual Server

Creating a Map for the HTTP Header

Using the map command, you create a map group with the type HTTP header. Entering the map command places you in a submode where you can specify the header fields and values for CSM to search for in the request.

To create a map for the HTTP header, perform this task:
Command

Purpose
Router(config-module-csm)# map name header
Creates and names a HTTP header map group.
Note Other map types include a URL and a cookie.

Specifying Header Fields and Match Values

Using the match command, you specify the name of the field and corresponding value for the CSM to match when receiving an HTTP request.

To specify head fields and match values, perform this task:
Command

Purpose
Router(config-slb-map-header)# match protocol 
http header field header-value expression
Specifies the name of the field and value. The field can be any HTTP header except cookie. You can configure cookie map if you want to configure cookie header.
Note The CSM allows you to specify one or more fields in the HTTP header to be the criteria for policy matching. When multiple fields are configured in a single HTTP header group, all of the expressions in this group must match in order to satisfy this criteria.

Assigning an HTTP Header Map to a Policy

In policy submode, you specify the header map to include in that policy. The header map contains the HTTP header criteria to be included in a policy.

To assign an HTTP header map to a policy, perform this task:
Command

Purpose
Step 1
Router(config-module-csm)# 
policy policy-name
Creates a policy.
Step 2
Router(config-slb-policy)# 
header-map name
Assigns an HTTP header map to a policy.
Note By default, a policy rule can be satisfied with any HTTP header information. The HTTP URL and HTTP cookie are specific types of header information and are handled separately by the CSM.

Assigning the Policy to a Virtual Server

In virtual server submode, specify the name of the policy that has the header map assigned, using the ip slb vserver virtserver-name command.

To specify a policy with a header map assigned, perform this task:
Command

Purpose
Step 1
Router(config-module-csm)# 
vserver virtserver-name
Configures a virtual server.
Step 2

Router(config-slb-policy)# header-map name

Assigns an HTTP header map to a policy.
This example shows how to configure generic header parsing:
Router(config)# mod csm 2
Router(config-module-csm)# !!!configure generic header map 
Router(config-module-csm)# map map2 header 
Router(config-slb-map-heaer)# $col http header Host header-value *.yahoo.com 
Router(config-slb-map-header)# !!! configure serverfarm 
Router(config-slb-map-header)# serverfarm farm2
Router(config-slb-sfarm)# real 10.1.0.105
Router(config-slb-real)# inservice
Router(config-slb-real)# exit
Router(config-slb-sfarm)# exit
Router(config-module-csm)# !!! configurate policy 
Router(config-module-csm)# policy pc2
Router(config-slb-policy)# serverfarm farm2
Router(config-slb-policy)# header-map map2
Router(config-slb-policy)# exit
Router(config-module-csm)# !!! config vserver
Router(config-module-csm)# vserver vs2
Router(config-slb-vserver)# virtual 10.1.0.82 tcp 80
Router(config-slb-vserver)# slb-policy pc2
Router(config-slb-vserver)# inservice
Router(config-slb-vserver)# end
Router(config)# show module csm 2 map det
Configuring Persistent Connections

The CSM allows HTTP connections to be switched based on a URL, cookies, or other fields contained in the HTTP header. Persistent connection support in the CSM allows for each successive HTTP request in a persistent connection to be switched independently. As a new HTTP request arrives, it may be switched to the same server as the prior request, it may be switched to a different server, or it may be reset to the client preventing that request from being completed.

In software release 2.1(1), the CSM supports HTTP 1.1 persistence. This features allows browsers to send multiple HTTP requests on a single persistent connection. After a persistent connection is established, the server keeps the connection open for a configurable interval, anticipating that it may receive more requests from the same client. Persistent connections eliminate the overhead involved in establishing a new TCP connection for each request.

HTTP 1.1 persistence is enabled by default on all virtual servers configured with Layer 7 policies. To disable persistent connections, enter the no persistent rebalance command. To enable persistent connection, enter the persistent rebalance command.

This example shows how to configure persistent connection:
Router# conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with
CNTL/Z.
Router(config)# mod csm 2
!!! configuring serverarm 
Router(config-module-csm)# serverfarm sf3
Router(config-slb-sfarm)# real 10.1.0.105
Router(config-slb-real)# inservice
!!! configuring vserver
Router(config-slb-real)# vserver vs3
Router(config-slb-vserver)# virtual 10.1.0.83 tcp 80
Router(config-slb-vserver)# persistent rebalance 
Router(config-slb-vserver)# serverfarm sf3
Router(config-slb-vserver)# inservice
Router(config-slb-vserver)# end
Configuring Connection Redundancy

Connection redundancy prevents open connections from hanging when the active CSM fails and the standby CSM becomes active. With connection redundancy, the active CSM replicates forwarding information to the standby CSM for each connection that is to remain open when the active CSM fails over to the standby CSM.

To configure connection redundancy, perform this task:
Command

Purpose
Step 1
Router(config-module-csm)# 
vserver virtserver-name 
Identifies a virtual server and enters the vserver submode.
Step 2
Router(config-slb-vserver)# 
virtual ip-address [ip-mask] 
protocol port-number [service 
ftp]
Configures the virtual server attributes.
Step 3
Router(config-slb-vserver)# 
serverfarm serverfarm-name
Associates a server farm with a virtual server.
Step 4
Router(config-slb-vserver)# 
sticky duration [group 
group-id] [netmask 
ip-netmask]
Ensures that connections from the same client use the same real server.
Step 5
Router(config-slb-vserver)# 
replicate csrp sticky 
Enables sticky replication.
Step 6
Router(config-slb-vserver)# 
replicate csrp connection
Enables connection replication.
Step 7
Router(config-slb-vserver)# 
inservice
Enables the virtual server for load balancing.
Step 8
Router(config-module-csm)# ft 
group group-id vlan vlanid 
Configures fault tolerance and enters the fault-tolerance submode.
Step 9
Router(config-slb-ft)# 
priority value 
Sets the priority of the CSM.
Step 10
Router(config-slb-ft)# 
failover failover-time
Sets the time for a standby CSM to wait before becoming an active CSM.
Step 11
Router(config-slb-ft)# 
preempt
Allows a higher priority CSM to take control of a fault-tolerant group when it comes online.
This example shows how to set fault tolerance for connection redundancy:
Router(config-module-csm)# vserver VS_LINUX-TELNET
Router(config-slb-vserver)# virtual 10.6.0.100 tep telnet	
Router(config-slb-vserver)# serverfarm SF_NONAT
Router(config-slb-vserver)# sticky 100 group 35
Router(config-slb-vserver)# replicate csrp sticky
Router(config-slb-vserver)# replicate csrp connection
Router(config-slb-vserver)# inservice
Router(config-slb-vserver)# exit
Router(config-module-csm)# ft group 90 vlan 111
Router(config-slb-ft)# priority 10
Router(config-slb-ft)# failover 3
Router(config-slb-ft)# preempt
Router(config-slb-ft)# exit
Configuring a Hitless Upgrade

A hitless upgrade allows you to upgrade to a new version without any major service disruption due to the downtime for the upgrade. To configure a hitless upgrade, perform these steps:

Step 1 If you have preempt enabled, turn it off.

Step 2 Perform a write memory on standby.

Step 3 Upgrade the standby system with the new release, and then reboot the CSM.

The standby CSM boots as standby with the new release. If you have sticky backup enabled, keep the standby CSM in standby mode for at least 5 minutes.

Step 4 Upgrade the active CSM.

Step 5 Reboot the active CSM.

When the active CSM reboots, the standby CSM becomes the new active CSM and takes over the service responsibility.

Step 6 The rebooted CSM comes up as standby.

Configuring SNMP Traps for Real Servers

When enabled, an SNMP trap is sent to an external management device each time a real server changes its state (for example, each time a server is taken in or out of service). The trap contains an Object Identifier (OID) that identifies it as a real-server trap.

Note The real server trap OID is 1.3.6.1.4.1.9.9.161.2

The trap also contains a message describing the reason for the server state change.

To configure SNMP traps for real servers, perform this task:
Command

Purpose
Step 1
Router (config)# snmp-server 
community public
Defines a password-like community string sent with the notification operation. The example string is public.
Step 2
Router (config)# snmp-server 
host host-addr
Defines the IP address of an external network management device to which traps are sent.
Step 3
Router (config)# snmp-server 
enable traps
Enables SNMP traps for real servers.