Amer Networks E5Web GUI - Manual (Page 687)

10.4. Server Load Balancing
10.4.1. Overview
The Server Load Balancing (SLB) feature allows the administrator to spread client application
requests over a number of servers through the use of IP rules with an Action of SLB_SAT.
SLB is a powerful tool that can improve the following aspects of network applications:
• Performance
• Scalability
• Reliability
• Ease of administration
The principle SLB benefit of sharing the load across multiple servers can improve not just the
performance of applications but also scalability by facilitating the implementation of a cluster of
servers (sometimes referred to as a server farm) that can handle many more requests than a
single server.
The illustration below shows a typical SLB scenario, with Internet access to internal server
applications by external clients being managed by a Clavister Security Gateway.
Figure 10.9. A Server Load Balancing Configuration
Additional Benefits of SLB
Besides improving performance and scalability, SLB provides other benefits:
• SLB increases the reliability of network applications by actively monitoring the servers
sharing the load. cOS Core SLB can detect when a server fails or becomes congested and will
not direct any further requests to that server until it recovers or has less load.
Chapter 10: Traffic Management
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