Configure Kemp virtual load balancer

In a previous article, we did download and install Kemp virtual load balancer on VMware. Before we configure Kemp for Exchange Server, we will look at Kemp virtual load balancer configuration. Think about licensing Kemp load balancer and setting up the IP address, hostname, and user accounts.

Configure Kemp LoadMaster

Start a web browser and navigate to the Kemp IP address. Insert the IP address that shows up in the Kemp LoadMaster console. You will get a certificate warning, which you can accept.

In our example, it’s https://192.168.1.43.

Don’t know what the Kemp LoadMaster IP address is? Go back to the previous article and find out how to get the Kemp IP address in the last step.

1. Accept License (EULA)

Scroll down the page and Agree to the Licensing (EULA).

2. License Kemp LoadMaster

Fill in the email address and password that you did register on Kemp’s website. Click License Now.

Kemp virtual load balancer will check for your ID in their system. You can choose if you want the 30 days trial or the free version. Click Continue.

In our example, we did select the Free LoadMaster, which is Kemp’s free virtual load balancer.

You will see the message that the license is validated. Click Continue.

Kemp did send an email that the Loadmaster is licensed.

3. Set default account password

Configure a password for the default account “bal“. Click Set Password.

You did set the password for the default account “bal“. Click Continue.

4. Log in to Kemp LoadMaster

Specify the credentials and click on Login to enter.

You will see the home screen of Kemp LoadMaster.

5. Set Kemp LoadMaster IP address

Change the IP address of Kemp LoadMaster. Click in the navigation menu on the left side of the screen on System Configuration > Network Setup > Interfaces > eth0. Type an available IP and click Set Address.

We will deploy a one-arm configuration.

Note: Kemp LoadMaster will redirect you to the new IP address and sign you out. Sign back in again to proceed further.

Reserve the IP address in the DHCP server. This way, you will not have another device that will take the same IP address as the Kemp load balancer.

In our example, the Windows Server DHCP server runs on a Windows Server Domain Controller, and we will reserve the LoadMaster IP address there.

6. Set Kemp LoadMaster hostname and DNS configuration

Click on Host & DNS Configuration in the left menu. Set a Hostname, for example, KLB01 (Kemp Load Balancer 01). After that, set the DNS NameServer (IP Address).

In our example, it’s the Windows DNS server.

Add the Kemp virtual load balancer DNS hostname KLB01 to your DNS server. This way, you can always do a DNS lookup for the IP address.

In our example, the Windows Server Domain Controller has the DNS role installed.

Verify that the A record for the Kemp LoadMaster hostname appears in the DNS list.

Verify that it works by pinging the Kemp load balancer hostname. You will get a response from the IP address.

7. Set Kemp LoadMaster Default Gateway

Click in the left menu on Default Gateway. Set the IPv4 default gateway address. Click Set IPv4 Default Gateway.

8. Set Kemp LoadMaster Date and Time

Click on System Administration > Date / Time. Set the time zone and click on Set time zone. You can use an NTP host if you like.

9. Add another user account

We recommend setting up a second user account with admin rights. This way, you always have a backup, just in case you can’t sign in with the default account bal.

In the left menu, click on User Management. Add a username, password, and click Add User.

You can see the user with the permissions Read Only. Click on Modify.

Select the checkbox All Permissions. Click on Set Permissions.

The user account is set with All Permissions.

That’s it. Everything is ready.

In the next articles, we will configure Kemp LoadMaster load balancer for Exchange Server:

• Exchange HTTPS high availability with Kemp load balancer
• Exchange SMTP high availability with Kemp load balancer

Conclusion

You learned how to configure Kemp virtual load balancer. The Kemp virtual load balancer configuration steps are essential before you start to use the load balancer. Follow the steps and tick them off one by one.

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