GLOB: generic load balancing

Current load balancing solutions are capable of improving the throughput of network service clusters, but they suffer from fundamental structural limitations. In particular, these systems do not cater for balancing gateway systems, such as NAT devices or firewalls. We propose a generic load balancing system (GLOB). GLOB is a client-transparent, peer-to-peer adaptive load balancing system that uses statistically configured packet filters. It offers an alternative to conventional distribution point load balancing schemes, and is specifically suited to gateway systems. Finally, comparative results of our GLOB model relative to mainstream load balancing scheduling schemes is presented.