TN3270 loadbalancing

[cyoo]

Hi,

We're suggesting CIP for TN3270 server. and wondering whether TN3270 load balancing is possible, if we install 2 CIPs on 7500 router. or another TN3270 server is just for backup?

[dmccullo]

Yes, you can load balance the TCP connections to the TN3270 Server. I have seen Local Director, Distributed Director, CSS, and others all used for load balancing. The only issue that I sometimes see come up, is that the TN3270 session is long duration, and the default for most load balancing is for short duration sessions, such as HTML. Look for a "sticky" configuration option.

[rsissons]

You can achieve some form of load balancing simply by duplicating the mac address that the TN3270 server connects to, on two or more CIPs. The sessions will always be established with the first mac address to respond which will be the least loaded path.