Chapter 14 Load Balancing in the P333R-LB

Weighted Real Servers

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

If you assign a weight to a Real Server, the sessions are distributed to the servers in the same metric chosen (Hash or MinMiss Hash). However, weighted servers are assigned a larger share of sessions. For example, if you assign a weight of 100 to one and do not assign a weight to a second server, the weighted server receives 10 sessions for each session directed to the second server. This is because the default value of the server’s weight is 10.

Health Check

The P333R-LB constantly health-checks the Real Servers to ensure that each Real Server (in this case, each server) is accessible and operational. A server that fails the health check is automatically removed from the load balancer’s internal list of currently available servers.

P333R-LB supports the following health-check methods:

•ICMP Echo - Each server is periodically pinged and checked if an answer was received.

•TCP Port Checking - A TCP connection is periodically opened to every server, checking for successful completion of the connection.

•HTTP Server Checking - Useful for web applications, this method enables verifying HTTP server functioning by comparing the response from the server with a complete sample of the web page. The P333R-LB sends a request to the HTTP server to simulate an outside request. The P333R-LB compares the server’s response with the sample to ascertain the level that the HTTP server is functioning. P333R-LB supports the following HTTP retrieving methods:

—Head - Retrieve only the HTTP headers without document body content. This is the default method.

—Get - Retrieve all data from the HTTP server.

P333R-LB supports the following responses:

—Any response - P333R-LB assumes the server is functional when P333R-LB receives any response.

—Any OK response - P333R-LB assumes the server is functional when the server’s response is one of the HTTP OK responses (codes 201-204).

—Exact OK response - P333R-LB assumes the server is functional only when P333R-LB receives the exact response expected (code 200). This is the default method.

You can configure the following parameters:

—The port to access - if you do not configure a port, the default is in the following order: the Virtual Service Real port, Virtual port, or port 80.

—HTTP Request type - GET or HEAD (default HEAD)

—HTTP version 1.0 or 1.1 (default 1.0)

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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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