Do you mean Real Server when write "the server"?

I ask you because there is opinion that client established connection with VIP and ACE established connection with Real Server.

I think that client established connection with Real Server after ACE balancing.

the client only communicates with the vip.

It is not aware of the real server.

The real server is not aware of the existence of the ACE module unless you do client nat.

So the real server will see connections comming from the client [but this is actually the ACE spoofing the client ip address].

Gilles.

Are there any circumstances where the real IP would be seen by the client?

if the server response bypasses the ACE module, the client may see the real server ip, but it will normally ignore it since it does not expect data from the real ip but the vip.

This is often the case with asymetric routing, when the real server gateway is not the ACE.

Gilles.