BROCADE IP PRIMER

Global Server Load Balancing(GSLB)18We've certainly seen many of the features provided by the Brocade ServerIron.We've studied the intricacies of SLB, and have been introduced to TCS andFWLB. Now it's time to take a look at one more acronym.What is Global Server Load Balancing?Global Server Load Balancing (GSLB) allows the ServerIron to serve as a DNSproxy for your sites. It makes a particularly intelligent proxy. It uses responsetime, health status, geographic location, and other criteria so that it may sendthe requesting client the IP address of the server that will serve them best.Among the GSLB benefits are:• No connection delay; the client must make a DNS query anyway; GSLBsimply manipulates the IP address to which the name resolves• Geographic awareness; this is based on the IP address of the client sendingthe DNS request• Distributed site performance awareness; GSLB is aware of all of your sitesand how well they are performing• Fair site selection• Statistical site performance measurements in a way that minimizes theimpact of traffic spikes• Best performing sites are favored, but not inundated (e.g., they receivemore traffic, but not all traffic)• All IP protocols (utilizing a name) are supportedDomain Name Service (DNS)What's this DNS I keep mentioning? Well, I'll forewarn you that plenty of bookshave been written on this topic alone. We'll skim the high points here, but I'llgive you some good places to go for more information at the end.Brocade IP Primer 387