What is load balancing, and how is it achieved in distribution networks?

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Load balancing is the process of distributing workloads across multiple servers, networks, or systems to maximize efficiency, improve response times, and prevent overloading. It’s a critical strategy for keeping systems stable and performing well, especially as demand grows.

• Static load balancing uses fixed methods like Round Robin, which cycles through resources evenly, or Weighted Round Robin, which prioritizes higher-capacity systems to handle more traffic.
• Dynamic techniques, on the other hand, adjust in real time. For instance, Least Connections sends requests to the server with the fewest active sessions, while Least Response Time directs traffic to the fastest-performing resource. Adaptive approaches continuously monitor system performance and fine-tune distribution accordingly.
• Load balancing can also occur at different levels. DNS-based methods use IP addresses to split traffic. Application-layer balancing focuses on user sessions or content, while network-layer balancing distributes traffic based on protocols and IP data.

The benefits are significant: it enhances resource efficiency, reduces latency, boosts throughput, and ensures reliability by preventing system overload. As a result, load balancing supports scalability and high availability, making it indispensable for modern systems that need to handle increasing traffic without compromising performance.

Load balancing Smart Panel | Schneider Electric