Why use a load balancing solution?
Where the availability and performance of your website and online activities are key to the success of your business, a load balancing solution can assume a major role in your high availability strategy. A load balancing configuration contributes towards high uptime and efficiency by:
- Accelerating application speed and site performance, by routing traffic to where it can be handled most effectively;
- Eliminating downtime as a result of both scheduled maintenance and downed servers, by automatically removing appliances from the operational server cluster without distruption to service;
- Protecting against network intrusion and DDos (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks, through a combination of intelligent traffic management and up to the minute (streamed) web threat patches.
Example solution configurations
Considering the variables involved, load balancing solutions are tailored to meet specific requirements; however, the example configurations below may be helpful in giving you an idea of the range, specifications and deployment of load balancing solutions that we typically provide.
| Entry-level | Mid-level | Enterprise-level | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Load balancer | Barracuda Model 340 Load Balancer (download pdf datasheet, new window) | ||
| Server cluster |
4 web servers:
|
4 web servers:
|
8 web servers:
|
| Switch | Managed HP ProCurve Switch 2626 - 24 ports (download pdf datasheet, new window) | ||
| Bandwidth | 5Mbits/sec | 10Mbits/sec | |
| Free phone/ticket support |  |
|
|
| Dedicated account manager | |
|
|
| Premium datacentre hosting | Purpose-built Reynolds House datacentre facility, Manchester Technopark (full details) | ||
Example load balancing solution architecture
Barracuda 340 Load Balancer
As a key component of our load balancing solutions, the hand-picked Barracuda 340 appliance combines the intelligent distribution of traffic with pro-active network intrusion prevention, and comprehensive failover capabilities.
Industry-leading features include:
- Load balancing for all IP-based applications: HTTP, HTTPS (SSL), SSH, SMTP, IMAP, RDP, POP3, NNTP, ASP, Streaming Media, DNS, LSPA, RADIUS, TFTP, and TCP/UDP based services.
- Intrusion Prevention System: safeguards your network with a second layer of security, including Denial of Service protection. Streaming updates from the Barracuda Central (new window) 24/7 threat monitoring station automatically update the appliance with the latest exploit counter-measures.
- Simple scalability: quick and easy deployment of addtional servers with the auto-discovery feature.
- IP Persistence: refers traffic back to the same server to establish session server persistence. Layer 4 IP and Layer 7 (e.g. cookie) session persistence is supported for ecommerce sites, database and Citrix/Terminal Services configurations.
- Scheduling policy: intelligent distribution of traffic optimises application speed and maximises site performance. Server weighting, weighted-least-connection, or weighted-round-robin scheduling options direct traffic to where it can best be handled.
- Automated Service Monitor: eliminates disruption by instantly removing failed servers from your cluster.
For detailed technical specifications, please download the datasheet (pdf, new window)
Next steps and getting a quotation
As load balancing solutions are tailored to match individual requirements, we do not publish packages and prices; typically though, solutions start at £999.99 per month, with a set up fee of £150.00.
If you are interested in obtaining a quote or finding out more, we would be delighted to help: you can contact us online or call 0808 222 2221 to discuss your requirements further.
Help, advice and ordering
- Freephone: 0808 222 2221
- Online enquiry
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