Windows Network Load Balancing (IGMP Multicast) Questions

[ktv-meraki]

Does anyone have experience implementing NLB from a Windows Server in IGMP Multicast mode in a Meraki environment?

We have a partner that will be coming into our network to communicate with two Windows Servers running NLB.  There is a ton of information out there with Microsoft's website and from the Meraki side.  I have not tested it yet but since Meraki doesnt support static ARP entries, I am thinking I need to configure IGMP Multicast for this to work.  Before going too deep into the environment, does anyone have experience with it and successfully turned it on?  Essentially the servers reside on Meraki MS225s, through an MX105 then uplinks through a MS120 WAN switch to the ISP gateway.

[KarstenI]

I did this in the old Catalyst 6500 days, and after that, I promised myself to protect my customers in the future of this mess. My advice is to get a proper Load Balancer, such as a Kemp Loadmaster. They have a free virtual version, so you can get to know this product before buying it.

[ktv-meraki]

Does the Kemp load balancer require special network configurations or is it strictly software based?

[alemabrahao]

Maybe it will help you Configure network infrastructure to support the NLB operation mode - Windows Server | Microsoft Lear...

[PhilipDAth]

NLB is a pig.  I like using the free HAProxy.  Very powerfull.

For the last client that needed NLB - I used a pair of C9300s running IOS-XE just for those servers (and they use them in Meraki Monitor mode).  Everything else was Meraki.

[ktv-meraki]

Am I hearing to not even attempt to mess around with the Windows NLB in a Meraki environment?  After reading that multicast requires a static arp entry which Meraki does not support I started to consider IGMP multicast.  I am having a difficult time determining if static arp is required in this instance.  Or for unicast, I was considering placing these on a separate VLAN and try them in Unicast mode.  The servers do reside in a small 3 host vmware cluster.  I do have one physical port left on a host that I could segment to that VLAN.  Problem for me is I don't have a lab in my environment and I am reluctant to implement something without complete understanding.