Load balancing is the method of distributing network and application traffic across multiple servers to ensure no single server becomes overwhelmed. It acts as a traffic manager, sitting between clients and a server farm, intelligently routing requests to the most suitable server. This process improves an application's availability, scalability, and overall performance by preventing bottlenecks.
Load balancers are classified by the network layer where they operate. Layer 4 balancers use network data like IP addresses to direct traffic. Layer 7 balancers are more advanced, inspecting application content like HTTP headers for smarter routing.
They also exist as physical hardware appliances or flexible software solutions, which are common in cloud settings. For global applications, DNS or global server load balancing directs users to the geographically closest server, reducing latency and improving performance.
Implementing load balancing brings a host of advantages that are crucial for modern applications. By distributing traffic effectively, it enhances the overall user experience and strengthens the underlying infrastructure. The primary benefits revolve around reliability, performance, and security.
While often used interchangeably, load balancing and load sharing have distinct functions and applications.
A load balancing algorithm is the set of rules a load balancer uses to determine the best server for each client request. These methods range from simple, fixed patterns to complex, dynamic assessments of server health. The right algorithm optimizes resource use and ensures high availability.
Various tools are available to implement load balancing for different infrastructure needs.
How does load balancing handle SSL/TLS encryption?
Load balancers can perform SSL termination, decrypting traffic before it reaches backend servers. This offloads cryptographic work from the servers but centralizes certificate management on the load balancer, which must be securely configured to protect sensitive data.
Doesn't a load balancer create a single point of failure?
It can, but this is mitigated by deploying load balancers in a high-availability (HA) pair. A passive or standby load balancer automatically takes over if the primary one fails, ensuring uninterrupted service and eliminating this potential bottleneck.
When is session persistence (sticky sessions) necessary?
Session persistence is crucial for stateful applications where a user's session data is stored on a specific server, like an e-commerce shopping cart. It ensures all requests from that user are routed to the same server, maintaining a consistent experience.
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