Specifications

Chapter 2: Installing the Barracuda Link Balancer 7
Chapter 2
Installing the Barracuda Link Balancer
This chapter provides instructions for installing the Barracuda Link Balancer. It includes the
following topics:
Deployment Scenarios ......................................................................... 7
In Front of Your Firewall Installation ............................................... 11
Replacing Your Firewall Installation................................................. 15
Once you have chosen your deployment scenario, go to the section that describes how to install your
Barracuda Link Balancer in that configuration. There are many steps and some are similar between
the methods, but for ease of configuration they are in different sections.
Deployment Scenarios
The two most typical deployment methods are:
• In Front of Firewall on page 8 - Keep your existing firewall, and insert the Barracuda Link
Balancer in between your firewall and the Internet. The Barracuda Link Balancer firewall is
disabled in this case.
• Replacing Your Firewall Installation on page 15 - Replace your firewall with the Barracuda
Link Balancer.
One important factor in deciding which deployment mode to choose is whether you want to replace
your firewall or keep your existing firewall.
The Barracuda Link Balancer firewall provides full firewall functionality. If, however, you already
have a firewall that meets your needs, you can disable the Barracuda Link Balancer firewall while still
making use of the Barracuda Link Balancer’s link balancing, failover and bandwidth management
capabilities.
Table 2.1 shows factors to consider when choosing a deployment mode.
Table 2.1: Deployment Modes
In Front of Firewall Replacing Your Firewall
Network Location The Barracuda Link Balancer is deployed
between your existing firewall and the Internet.
The Barracuda Link Balancer acts as your
firewall.
Barracuda Link
Balancer LAN IP
address
Used only for management. Can be any internal
or public address that is reachable through your
existing firewall from the LAN.
The default gateway for your network.
Firewall Rules No changes to your existing firewall. You will need to recreate any existing firewall
rules on the Barracuda Link Balancer.