Load balancers distribute incoming traffic across multiple backend servers to improve availability, performance, and scalability. They work by accepting requests at a single entry point, selecting healthy backends using algorithms like round robin or least connections, and forwarding traffic accordingly. Load balancers operate at Layer 4 (transport) or Layer 7 (application), can be hardware or software-based, and are essential for cloud-native environments. Modern solutions like Isovalent Load Balancer use eBPF and Envoy to provide consistent load balancing across Kubernetes, VMs, and on-premises infrastructure with enterprise controls.
Table of contents
How Does a Load Balancer Work?Key Functions and Benefits of Load BalancingLoad Balancing Algorithms and How They DifferDifferent Types of Load BalancersExamples of Load Balancing in ActionLoad Balancer Technology in the Cloud Native EraHow Isovalent Load Balancer Helps Simplify Load BalancingLoad Balancer FAQClosingSort: