In this article we describe how to configure the Ribbon SBC Edge Portfolio to use a server pool to accomplish DNS load balancing using a pool of Lync Mediation Servers.
For the purpose of this article, we assume that the the PBX - SBC Edge Portfolio - Microsoft Lync 2010 topology is in place and employs multiple front end servers, as shown below.
Perform a Name Server (NS) Lookup on of the Lync 2010 Pool (cspool.mylync.com) with three front end servers.
The FQDN cspool.mylync.com resolves to three separate IP Addresses:
- Front End Server 1: 134.56.227.43
- Front End Server 2: 134.56.227.41
- Front End Server 3: 134.56.227.44
On this page:
Configuration
Configuration for this functionality is straight-forward and relatively simple. It involves two basic steps"
- Creating SIP Server Table and/or entry.
- Assigning that SIP Server Table and specifying the Load Balancing Method in a Signaling Group.
SIP Server Table
Create a new SIP Server Table and entry as shown below.
Use the FQDN of the Lync pool as shown.
Signaling Group
Create a new, or modify an existing, SIP Signaling Group and configure the SIP Server Table and Load Balancing options as shown below.
Example of Round Robin Load Balancing
In the Ribbon SBC 1000/2000 to Lync direction call scenarios in this setup, Ribbon SBC 1000/2000 load balances outbound calls among the multiple IP addresses to which the FQDN resolves. The following screenshot depicts the multiple calls received by the Ribbon SBC 1000/2000 and how they are sent to different Front End Servers in a round robin fashion.
The load balancing also works if the multiple IP addresses are configured in same SIP Server Table instead of a FQDN. In other words, if IP addresses of 134.56.227.43, 134.56.227.41, and 134.56.227.44 are listed in the server table instead of cspool.mylync.com, the load balancing still occurs in the outbound SIP Signaling Groups that use this server table.