Internet Routing Architectures, Second Edition

Load Balancing

Load balancing deals with the capability to divide data traffic over multiple connections. A common misconception about balancing is that it means an equal distribution of the load. Equal distribution of traffic is elusive enough even in situations in which traffic flows in a network that is under a single administration. Given the multiple players that traffic has to touch, equal distribution of traffic is difficult to achieve in most scenarios. Load balancing tries to achieve a traffic distribution pattern that will best utilize the multiple links that provide redundancy. Achieving this requires a good understanding of what traffic you are trying to balance, incoming or outgoing.

It is important not to think of traffic as a ...