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Administration Console Online Help

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Configure clusters

Before you begin

Ensure that you have created a cluster and Managed Servers. For information on creating a Managed Server, see Create Managed Servers.

If you are configuring a new cluster in a new domain, BEA recommends that you use the using the Configuration Wizard. For more information on creating a clustered domain, see "Setting Up Clusters" in Using WebLogic Server Clusters.


Follow these steps to perform basic cluster configuration using the Administration Console:

  1. If you have not already done so, in the Change Center of the Administration Console, click Lock & Edit (see Use the Change Center).
  2. In the Administration Console, expand Environment and select Clusters.
  3. In the Summary of Clusters table, select the cluster you want to configure.
  4. Select Configuration.
    1. Choose the Default Load Algorithm. For more information see Load Balancing in a Cluster
    2. Enter the cluster address.
  5. Select Message.
    1. Select the Messaging Mode you want to use for this cluster.
      • If your cluster is part of a new WebLogic Server environment, it is recommended that you use the Unicast messaging type. Unicast requires less network configuration than multicast.
      • If you are creating a cluster within an existing WebLogic Server environment or you need to ensure backward compatibility with older versions of WebLogic Server, you must use the Multicast messaging type. IP multicast is a simple broadcast technology that enables multiple applications to subscribe to a given IP address and port number and listen for messages.
    2. If you are using the Unicast message mode, enter the Unicast Broadcast Channel. This channel is used to transmit messages within the cluster. If you do not specify a channel, the default channel is used.
    3. If you are using the Multicast message mode, enter the following:
      • Multicast Address:

        IP multicast is a simple broadcast technology that enables multiple applications to subscribe to a given IP address and port number and listen for messages. A multicast address is an IP address in the range from 224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255.

        You must define a multicast address for each cluster. This address should be unique to this cluster and should not be shared by other applications. The default multicast address is 239.192.0.0. You should not use an IP multicast address within the range x.0.0.1.

      • Multicast Port:

        The multicast port is used by cluster members to communicate with each other. Valid values are between 1 and 65535.

  6. Click Save.
  7. For more advanced configuration options, see the following topics:
  8. To activate these changes, in the Change Center of the Administration Console, click Activate Changes.
    Not all changes take effect immediately—some require a restart (see Use the Change Center).

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