> Source: [sk162637](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk162637) # sk162637 - ClusterXL Load Sharing mode in R80.20 and higher | Property | Value | |----------|-------| | Solution ID | sk162637 | | Date Created | 2019-10-07 | | Last Modified | 2026-03-22 | | Technical Level | General | | Products | Security Gateway | | Versions | R82.10, R82, R81.20, R81.10 (EOS), R81 (EOS) | | OS | Gaia | ## Solution ### Support for the ClusterXL Load Sharing Modes Support for ClusterXL Load Sharing modes is available in the versions R80.20 and above: |-----------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | **Version** | **Requirements** | | R81 and higher | 1. Configure the environment variable "`ENABLE_CLUSTER_LOAD_SHARING_R80_20=1`" on the SmartConsole Client Computer 2. Configure the environment variable "`ENABLE_CLUSTER_LOAD_SHARING_R80_20=1`" on the Management Server | | R80.40 | 1. Must configure the kernel parameter "`ccl_force_sticky=1`" on each cluster member Note - Does **not** apply starting from the [R80.40 Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator Take 26](https://sc1.checkpoint.com/documents/Jumbo_HFA/R80.40/Default.htm) 2. Configure the environment variable "`ENABLE_CLUSTER_LOAD_SHARING_R80_20=1`" on the SmartConsole Client Computer 3. Configure the environment variable "`ENABLE_CLUSTER_LOAD_SHARING_R80_20=1`" on the Management Server | | R80.30 kernel 2.6.18 / 3.10 | 1. Install the [R80.30 Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator Take 76 or above](https://supportcenter.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doGoviewsolutiondetails=&solutionid=sk153152) (on each cluster member and on the Management Server) 2. Configure the kernel parameter "`ccl_force_sticky=1`" on each cluster member Note - Does **not** apply starting from the R80.30 Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator Take 169 3. Configure the environment variable "`ENABLE_CLUSTER_LOAD_SHARING_R80_20=1`" on the SmartConsole Client Computer 4. Configure the environment variable "`ENABLE_CLUSTER_LOAD_SHARING_R80_20=1`" on the Management Server | | R80.20 | 1. Install the [R80.20 Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator Take 117 or above](https://supportcenter.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doGoviewsolutiondetails=&solutionid=sk137592) (on each cluster member and on the Management Server) 2. Configure the kernel parameter "`ccl_force_sticky=1`" on each cluster member Note - Does **not** apply starting from the R80.20 Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator Take 146 3. Configure the environment variable "`ENABLE_CLUSTER_LOAD_SHARING_R80_20=1`" on the SmartConsole Client Computer 4. Configure the environment variable "`ENABLE_CLUSTER_LOAD_SHARING_R80_20=1`" on the Management Server | {#limitations-Table} **Important Notes:** * **VPN Load Sharing is supported only in Unicast Mode** starting from R81 Jumbo Hotfix. * See [sk101539 - ClusterXL Load Sharing mode limitations and important notes](https://supportcenter.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doGoviewsolutiondetails=&solutionid=sk101539) for information about the support of ClusterXL Load Sharing modes for the IPSec VPN Software Blade (supported starting in R81.10). * Only on the versions R80.20 and R80.30, you must install the required Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator on each cluster member **and** on the Management Server that manages this cluster. * Only in the versions R80.20, R80.30, and R80.40, you must permanently set the value of the kernel parameter **ccl_force_sticky** parameter to **1** on all cluster members - see [sk26202](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk26202) (starting in R81, this parameter is not applicable - its value must remain 0). The default value of this kernel parameter is 1 in: * R80.40 Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator Take 26 and higher * R80.30 Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator Take 169 and higher * R80.20 Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator Take 146 and higher ### Enabling the support for the ClusterXL Load Sharing modes on the Management Server (versions R80.20 and higher) 1. **Configure the required environment variable on the SmartConsole Client Computer:** 1. Press the **Windows+R** keys. 2. Enter **sysdm.cpl** and press Enter (or click **OK**). 3. The **System Properties** window opens. 4. Go to the **Advanced** tab. 5. At the bottom, click **Environment Variables**. 6. In the **System variables** section, click **New**. 7. In the **Variable name** field, paste this string: **ENABLE_CLUSTER_LOAD_SHARING_R80_20**Note: Exactly the same variable is used for versions R80.20 and higher. 8. In the **Variable value** field, enter the digit **1**. 9. Click **OK**. 10. Mandatory: Restart your computer. ![](https://sc1.checkpoint.com/sc//SolutionsStatics/sk162637/wind1910070648.png) 2. **Configure the required environment variable on the Management Server:** 1. Connect to the command line on the Management Server. 2. Log in to the Expert mode. 3. Edit the *cpm.sh* file: * On a Security Management Server: **`vi $FWDIR/scripts/cpm.sh`** * On a Multi-Domain Security Management Server: **`vi $MDS_FWDIR/scripts/cpm.sh`** 4. Go to the end of the file and find the last line: `exec $JAVA_HOME/bin/java ...` 5. **Above** that last line add this **new** line: **`export ENABLE_CLUSTER_LOAD_SHARING_R80_20=1`** 6. Save the changes in the file and exit the editor. 7. Restart the Check Point services: * On a Security Management Server: **`cpstop ; cpstart`** * On a Multi-Domain Security Management Server: **`mdsstop ; mdsstart`** ### Known Limitations |------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------| | **ID** | **Symptom** | **Reported in** | **Resolved in** | | PMTR-48976 | Multicast Address on a cluster interface (in ClusterXL Load Sharing mode) does not change to the User-Defined value after a policy installation. | R80.40 | - |
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