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Description of Network Load Balancing features


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Summary

This article describes the Network Load Balancing (NLB) features.

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More information

NLB features

  • Runs on the device to be load-balanced, rather than a separate device.
  • Presents a Virtual Internet Protocol (VIP) TCP/IP address to the clients.
  • Distributes incoming TCP connections and User Datagram Protocol (UDP) datagrams among up to 32 servers, scaling performance of the cluster.
  • Detects hosts that have become unavailable and automatically redistributes traffic within eight seconds, ensuring high availability.
  • Permits full remote control from any Microsoft Windows NT 4.0-based, Microsoft Windows 2000-based, or Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer.
  • Inherently supports Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) sessions.

Functionality that is not included with NLB

  • Replicate data among servers. However, you can accomplish this by using Microsoft Content Replication System (CRS) or a third-party program.
  • Load-balance or provide fault tolerance to multiple database servers (unless you are using read-only databases). To do so, you can use Cluster Server.
  • Start or stop programs on the servers.
  • Detect services that are not working correctly. To do so, you can use the HTTPMon tool that is included with the Windows 2000 Resource Kit or a third-party product.
  • Globally distribute network traffic or globally load balance. To do so, you can use the round-robin feature of Domain Name System (DNS) or a third-party product.
  • Perform protocol-specific request routing or load balancing.
  • Provide a true virtual (cluster) NetBIOS computer name.
  • Page, send e-mail messages, or alert operators about a computer problem.
The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

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Keywords: KB232190, kbnlb, kbnetwork, kbinfo, kb3rdparty

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Article Info
Article ID : 232190
Revision : 5
Created on : 2/22/2007
Published on : 2/22/2007
Exists online : False
Views : 457