12.2.2.2. Load balancing with external devices

It is possible to use load balancer devices to distribute the traffic between the nodes. In this case the balancing method can be configured on the load balancer device. Of course, load balancing solutions also offer a native failover solution. If one node stops working and the load balancing device notices that, it does not direct traffic to that node until it is functioning again.

Load balancer devices offer load balancing only from the point of the client, it has no influence on the proxy at the other side of the firewall — in such case line load balancing must be solved on the firewall. If you need to share a load from several directions (physical networks), separate load balancer devices are needed in each direction.

Note

The firewall has to have a separate load balancer device towards all connected interfaces.

From proxying point of view, all connections, and in case of multi-channel protocols, like FTP, all channels have to go through the same node.

Directing related channels to the same node

Figure 12.1. Directing related channels to the same node

The third party device added to the system must be able to direct multi-channel protocols through the same node.