User manual

The WebMux Pro and Model WM108E User Guide – Version 5. 8 Rev15

WebMux Overview

Key Features

The WebMux is a standalone network appliance designed primarily to load

balance IP traffic to multiple servers. The WebMux includes the following key

features.

• Improves performance by distributing the traffic for a site or domain

among multiple servers. No one server will be bogged down trying to

service a particular site.

• Provides high availability by tracking which servers are functioning

properly and which servers are out of service. If a server unexpectedly

goes down, the WebMux will automatically re-direct the traffic to other

servers, or will bring a standby or backup server online to service the

traffic. WebMux does application level health check to many network

protocols on servers.

• Provides Persistent Connections by memorizing the user browser

session and the server session and sending the same user to the same

server. This is important for sites using shopping cart and dynamically

generated pages, like BroadVision, ASP and JSP sites.

• Provides fault tolerance. This installation requires two WebMuxes, a

primary and a secondary. Two WebMuxs will automatically sync the

configuration datum.

• Easy management. It can be managed via a secured web browser

session from anywhere in the world. By using https 128 bit encryption to

the management web console, remote management of server farms is

truly possible.

• Operating System independent. No software or agent to load on the

servers. Non-intrusive load/failure detection and management.

• Provides Proxy function. When communication is initiated from behind

the WebMux, the WebMux will substitute its own address for the internal

address. This allows the web servers to initiate communication for

services such as credit card validation and mapping services. (Note: this

function only works in NAT mode).