Health Check, Bridging Firewall Load Balancing

Chapter 14 Load Balancing in the P333R-LB

15.

Health Check

In order for the P333R-LB to perform a health check, an IP address beyond the firewall should be configured as a health check address. The health check session returns through the same firewall according to the NAT address it was given. For information on configuration, see the configuration example.

Persistency

As in the case of Transparent Routing Firewalls, Non-Transparent Routing Firewalls perform Statefull Inspection on all packets going through them, checking that all the packets of a given session traverse the same firewall in both directions.

In transparent FWLB, persistency is ensured by the Load Balancing device. In non- transparent FWLB, the firewalls ensure persistency through NAT, and there is no need for the Load Balancing device to intervene.

Bridging Firewall Load Balancing

This section explains how the P333R-LB supports Bridging FWLB, and includes a configuration example.

Implementation

Bridging firewalls are firewalls that do not perform forwarding at the IP layer, but rather appear as transparent bridges. Bridging firewalls are transparent to devices inside and outside the secured network.

For bridging FWLB, the P333R-LBs have to be positioned on both sides of the firewalls. The Bridging Firewall does not have an IP address or a MAC address to which traffic is directed, therefore a Bridging Firewall has to physically appear on the traffic path. Each P333R-LB load balances between IP interfaces of the peer P333R-LB behind the firewall. In order for this to work, the P333R-LB has to have a different VLAN and subnet for each firewall, and the physical ports connected to the firewalls have to be on different VLANs as well. In addition, for each VLAN, both load balancers must be in the same subnet. The Real Servers are IP interfaces of the load balancer on the other side of the firewalls, not of the firewalls themselves.

20	Avaya P333R-LB User’s Guide

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.

Avaya P333R-LB manual Health Check, Bridging Firewall Load Balancing

Models: P333R-LB