Can LTM be used to configure Active and Passive Servers?

Question: For Priority Group Activation does the number need to be set at 2 or 3 or does it make a difference?

 

Answer: The higher the number the higher the preference. I have some that start at 1 and go upwards. I also have a few that start a 0 (I follow the practice outlined by iRuleYou. I start at one as a common practice for consistency, some of my co-workers don't....hence the ones that start with 0).

 

 

Question: Also can I force offline the non-active server and have it re-activate automatically if the main server goes down?

 

Answer: There have been many posts for this. You can attempt to disable a server with an iRule, but the health check applied in the pool will put it back on-line shortly after you disable it (if I am wrong somebody set me straight because I would love to be wrong on this one). The only way to fully put down a server is to take it out of the pool, stop the service that is being monitored on the server, or apply a health monitor that will fail (forcing the server to appear as hard down).

 

 

I have never attempted to apply or remove a Health Monitor with an iRule. I am not sure if it could be done.