TCP Packet Redirection

[MSRez]

I have several Windows Media servers I wish to load balance and I am wondering if I can use a load balancing server to very efficiently rewrite or re-route data packets.

I know that load balancing is relatively simple to achieve by using a software or hardware load balancer (Zeus for example) but the problem I have with all that I have found so far is that all traffic must still be transmitted through the load balancer on the return path. I would really like to know if it's possible to route data in such a way that when the client connects, their connection request is forwarded by the load balancer to a Windows Media server which will then respond directly to the client without the load balancer being involved from then on.

 

[fugtruck]

You can use Linux Virtual Server (note: the name "virtual server" should not be confused with virtualization products like Hyper-V, VMware, etc.). It does exactly that for any TCP service.

The particular feature you are asking about with return traffic going directly to the client Direct Routing. Read more here:

http://www.centos.org/docs/5/html/Virtual_Server_Administration/index.html

 

[MSRez]

Thanks fugtruck, this has definitely put me on the right track. I think the biggest hurdle I am faced with is that I am trying to implement this in the Amazon cloud where there is no concept of virtual IPs so I'm not sure if it's achievable.