Chapter 14 Load Balancing in the P333R-LB

restored to its original configuration. As a result, persistency is only partially recovered, making MinMiss Hash a non-predictable metric.

Selecting a Load Balancing Metric

The different metrics available allow you to select the metric that best matches your network topology.

The Hash metric produces predictable forwarding decisions. Therefore, this is the only metric appropriate for configurations that involve load balancers on both sides of the firewalls (for example, Transparent Routing FWLB, and Bridging FWLB). Furthermore, loss of persistency may not be an issue where a state-synchronizing firewall cluster is deployed.

For Transparent Routing FWLB, to ensure mapping of the same session to the same firewall by both load balancers, the default hash key is a combination of the source and destination IP addresses.

The MinMiss Hash metric maintains persistency better than the Hash metric. When there is not need to maintain consistency between load balancers (for example, Non Transparent FWLB), this metric should be used.

Weighted Firewalls

You can assign weights to firewalls to enable faster firewalls to receive a larger share of sessions. This minimizes overloading and maximizes functionality.

If you assign a weight to a firewall, the sessions are distributed to the firewalls in the same metric chosen (Hash or MinMiss Hash). However, weighted firewalls are assigned a larger share of sessions. For example, if you assign a weight of 10 to one firewall (the default value), and assign a weight of 20 to a second firewall, the second firewall receives 2 sessions for each session directed to the first firewall.

Health Check

The P333R-LB constantly health checks the firewall paths to ensure that each firewall is accessible and operational. A firewall that fails the health check is automatically removed from the load balancer’s internal list of currently available firewalls.

The P333R-LB uses the ICMP Echo health-check method. Each load balancer periodically pings the Real Server and checks if an answer was received.

For FWLB, the health check must is performed beyond the firewalls as well in order to check the entire data path. In order to insure that the health check packets traverse the same firewall in both directions, the Health Check IP addresses (the packet’s source and destination IP addresses) are the interfaces of the load balancer on each side of the firewall. For each load balancing interface, the local and remote addresses should be configured. The load balancers on both sides of the firewalls must be configured symmetrically. For information on configuration, see the

Avaya P333R-LB User’s Guide

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Avaya P333R-LB manual Selecting a Load Balancing Metric, Weighted Firewalls, Health Check
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P333R-LB specifications

The Avaya P333R-LB is a robust and versatile switch that is part of Avaya's portfolio aimed at enterprise networking solutions. This switch is designed to enhance the performance and scalability of network infrastructure while ensuring high availability and reliability.

One of the main features of the P333R-LB is its Layer 3 switching capability, which allows for efficient routing within an organization's network. This capability is particularly beneficial for organizations with multiple VLANs, as it simplifies the routing process and ensures that data packets are transmitted in the most efficient manner possible.

The P333R-LB is equipped with advanced Quality of Service (QoS) features to prioritize traffic based on the type of application being used. This ensures that critical applications, such as VoIP and video conferencing, receive the necessary bandwidth and low latency required for optimal performance. Additionally, it supports both IPv4 and IPv6 protocols, making it adaptable to a variety of networking environments.

Another important feature of the Avaya P333R-LB is its stackable design. This allows multiple switches to be interconnected, creating a single logical unit. This stacking capability not only simplifies management but also increases overall network capacity and redundancy. In case of a hardware failure, the stack can continue operating without interruption, maintaining network integrity and service continuity.

The switch also integrates advanced security features, including support for MAC filtering, access control lists, and port security. These features help to safeguard network resources from unauthorized access and potential threats. Moreover, the P333R-LB supports 802.1X port-based authentication, which adds an additional layer of security during user access to the network.

The Avaya P333R-LB comes with multiple Gigabit Ethernet ports, allowing for high-speed connectivity to devices such as servers, workstations, and IP phones. This ensures that all devices on the network can communicate effectively, supporting the demands of modern enterprise environments.

For management and monitoring, the P333R-LB offers a user-friendly web interface along with SNMP support, enabling network administrators to easily configure settings and monitor network performance. This simplicity in management is crucial for IT teams that need to ensure optimal network performance while minimizing downtime.

In summary, the Avaya P333R-LB is a feature-rich, scalable, and reliable switch that meets the needs of demanding enterprise networks. With its advanced technologies, QoS support, stackable design, robust security features, and high-speed connectivity options, the P333R-LB is positioned to support a wide range of applications and enhance overall network performance.
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