Hardware & Software Load Balancing Solutions

Load balancing appliances are crucial pieces of a network. In order to maintain network performance, dynamic load balancing solutions are important for ensuring that requests and resources are distributed across available servers in an optimal manner. This process helps a network increase reliability and performance by ensuring that resources are not overloaded. There are a variety of ways to install a load balancing solution in your network architecture, including both hardware and software balancing appliances.  

Benefits of Loading Balancing Solutions

While each integrated solution and provider is unique, these are some common considerations that companies should research before selecting between appliances or software suites:

• Cost: Load balancing solutions are available at nearly every price point. Your team needs to weigh the power of the load balancing solution considered with the amount they are able to invest in this solution. Powerful, scalable solutions may be more expensive initially but that extra investment can pay off during future growth.
• Scalability: As your organization grows, so does the strain on your network servers, databases, and other critical areas. This makes system scalability an important component of long-term planning. Add-ons and the open source capability of many software packages can make it easier to upgrade your suite. The newest load balancing appliances are also showing increased scalability potential, as many hardware providers offer upgrades as your needs change.
• Network Architecture: While both load balancing appliances and software are capable of handling multiple functions, they do offer some advantages when it comes to certain network layers. Because no two IT architectures are the same, it's important to discuss the performance of each of your network's layers before committing to a single solution.      

Choosing Your Features

Your load balancing solution can be customized to the needs of your network. Whether running a service over the public Internet or caring for a corporate intranet, load balancing can improve performance and efficiency. Companies may also use a combination of load balancing appliances and software to handle work distribution for specific tasks, depending on importance and other factors.

Learn more about how load balancing works

Radware virtual load balancing solutions and architecture combines the benefits of both hardware and software for a customizable, powerful organizational solution. Our Alteon load balancers and other products help you efficiently manage your network, protect it from outside attacks and improve performance. Contact Radware for more information today.

Learn more about other types of load balancing solutions offered by Radware today.