Virtual IP failover

When virtual IP failover is enabled, Content Gateway maintains a pool of virtual IP addresses that it assigns to the nodes in the cluster as necessary (see What are virtual IP addresses? for more information.) These addresses are virtual only in the sense that they are not tied to a specific machine; Content Gateway can assign them to any of its nodes. To the outside world, these virtual IP addresses are the addresses of Content Gateway servers.

Virtual IP failover assures that if a node in the cluster fails, other nodes can assume the failed node's responsibilities. Content Gateway handles virtual IP failover in the following ways:

The content_manager process maintains cluster communication. Nodes automatically exchange statistics and configuration information through multicast communication. If multicast heartbeats are not received from one of the cluster nodes, the other nodes recognize it as unavailable.

The content_manager process reassigns the IP addresses of the failed node to the remaining operational nodes within approximately 30 seconds, so that service can continue without interruption.

The IP addresses are assigned to new network interfaces, and the new assignment is broadcast to the local network. The IP address reassignment is done through a process called ARP rebinding.

Enabling or disabling virtual IP addressing

In the Content Gateway manager, navigate to the Configure > My Proxy > Basic > General tab.

Under Features > Networking, select On or Off for Virtual IP to enable or disable virtual IP addressing.

Click Apply.

This enables the Virtual IP page, used to add and edit virtual IP addresses.

Adding or editing virtual IP addresses

Virtual IP addresses must be pre-reserved, like all IP addresses, before they can be assigned to Content Gateway.


	Warning Incorrect IP addressing can disable your system. Make sure you understand how virtual IP addresses work before changing them.

In the Content Gateway manager, go to the Configure > Networking > Virtual IP page.

The page is available only after you have enabled the Virtual IP option.

The Virtual IP Addresses area displays the virtual IP addresses managed by Content Gateway.

Click Edit File to add new or edit existing virtual IP addresses.

To edit a virtual IP address, select it from the table at the top of the page, edit the fields provided, and then click Set.

To delete the selected IP address, click Clear Fields.

To add a virtual IP address, specify the virtual IP address, the Ethernet interface, and the Subinterface in the fields provided, and then click Add.

Click Apply, and then Close.