Network Layer Implemented Anycast Load Balancing

This paper presents a server selection method where the server selection is performed by the network, at the first router from the client. This method, usable in networks under single administrative control, combines network metrics (such as traffic or latency) with common server load balancing metrics (such as load, CPU utilisation or response time), allowing network conditions to be taken into account when selecting the server which will handle the request. The performance of this technique was compared, by means of simulations, to that of widely used techniques such as random, round robin and least loaded server selection.