Server Load Balancer

A device utilized as part of an organization’s IT infrastructure to efficiently distribute application requests and data processing services evenly across multiple servers supporting a business network. The use of such a device allows for enhanced network performance through increased system availability and user-specific task management.

Alleviating strain on servers caused by increased network traffic is an important factor to improving the overall performance of a network. If improperly maintained, traffic-heavy servers can suffer from decreased processing capabilities, which may lead to slow network operation and even server collapse. With a server load balancer implemented within a business’s IT infrastructure, increased network traffic can be effectively managed and application delivery optimized. Load balancers evenly distribute information and application requests to the appropriate servers. These devices also prevent slow information retrieval and failed connections by providing alternate routes to specific data and applications when primary paths are busy. In the event that a particular server loses functionality, load balancers can provide fail-over paths to compensate for remaining traffic. This helps to ensure that the information requested by end-users will still be accessible and available in a timely manner. The even distribution of traffic across all areas of a network through load balancing is an effective way to positively influence productivity and network performance.