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Load Balancing On Edge...

shahab.66
Level 1
Level 1

Dear Friends,

I am connected to 2 ISPs with 2 different ADSL links attached to my network and I'm trying to create a weighted load balancing on these two links using a cisco router (2811), till now I found nothing useful as all the load balancing techniques need BGP, EIGRP or E1 and T1 links witch I don't have.

There are tones of load balancers out there but I can't believe cisco doesn't offer this simple feature.

GLBP uses L2 load balancing which doesn't work for me as all the sessions will source from a single IP as far as ARP and GLBP will understand (The distribution switch IP)

I also tried NAT Load balancing but it doesn't do weighted load balancing (I Think!)

PFR also seemed interesting but as I'm only studying for my CCNP I couldn't understand much about it :-) (And also all documents talked about BGP as well) but if it does the trick maybe I'll study more.

Please Help me find a solution.

Another Question:

Does ASA 5505 support any kind of better load balancing features I could use?

Thanks

P.S. A quick sketch of the network is attached

6 Replies 6

Philip D'Ath
VIP Alumni
VIP Alumni

What about the simple option of having two equal cost default routes on the 2811?  It will split the sessions 50/50 across the two links.

Philip D'Ath
VIP Alumni
VIP Alumni

The distribution switch is definitely doing layer 3 routing towards the 2811, isn't?  If it is only passing the traffic through at layer 2 then you can use GLBP.

What model switch is the distribution switch?  Maybe that may open up another option.

Dear d.dath,

As I explained 50/50 doesn't work for me and I need weighted load balance like 70/30.

GLBP won't do the trick in this case as the WAN in routed couple of time to reach the access layer.

Best Regards,

Joseph W. Doherty
Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame

Disclaimer

The Author of this posting offers the information contained within this posting without consideration and with the reader's understanding that there's no implied or expressed suitability or fitness for any purpose. Information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as rendering professional advice of any kind. Usage of this posting's information is solely at reader's own risk.

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In no event shall Author be liable for any damages wha2tsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of use, data or profit) arising out of the use or inability to use the posting's information even if Author has been advised of the possibility of such damage.

Posting

How much of a weighted load balance are you working with?  Reason I ask, if the actual links aren't that far from 50/50 (say up to 60/40), using 50/50 is often "good enough" because, except for something like PfR, most load balancing is "static', it won't react to actual link usage.

PfR, though, does support dynamic load balancing and although early versions only supported static routes and BGP, later versions support PIRO.  (NB: if you use default routes to Internet, static PfR, should do the trick.  BTW, PfR, I believe, requires more than the IPBase feature set.)

Dear Joseph,

I'm talking about 75/25 or 70/30 as the links are not equal a 12mbps and a 4mbps  links for backup! If PfR can do the trick I'm open to upgrade my IOS to adventerprise or even upgrade the whole router can you clarify something for me:

1- can I adjust the bandwidth on PfR so I could define the link speeds manualy?

2- does it use manual and fixed weights or dynamic weights for best distribution?

3- does ASA support any special kind of load balancing I could use?

Thanks in advance...

Disclaimer

The Author of this posting offers the information contained within this posting without consideration and with the reader's understanding that there's no implied or expressed suitability or fitness for any purpose. Information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as rendering professional advice of any kind. Usage of this posting's information is solely at reader's own risk.

Liability Disclaimer

In no event shall Author be liable for any damages wha2tsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of use, data or profit) arising out of the use or inability to use the posting's information even if Author has been advised of the possibility of such damage.

Posting

#1 yes

#2 dynamic (it can monitor actually link loading, and juggle flows between interfaces to maintain bandwidth ratios [limited by the flows it has to work with])

#3 I'm not familiar enough with ASA to comment

PS:

It used to be you needed IPServices, or better, for PfR; feature set requirements might vary per IOS version - latest platforms might need a dedicated license