Microsoft KB Archive/232190

= Description of Network Load Balancing features =

Article ID: 232190

Article Last Modified on 2/22/2007

-

APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Enterprise Edition

-



This article was previously published under Q232190



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



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.

Keywords: kb3rdparty kbinfo kbnetwork kbnlb KB232190

-

[mailto:TECHNET@MICROSOFT.COM Send feedback to Microsoft]

© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.