This topology provides a highly available and load balanced service. A minimum of 4 nodes is required for this topology. Real Servers can be added to the network as additional capacity is required.

Linux Director: At any given time one Linux Director is active. The active linux director accepts traffic and decides the Real server to route the traffic to and load balances traffic. The two linux directors monitor each other and in the event of the active linux director failing the hot-standby assumes the floating address and the service is maintained.

When a linux director receives a TCP/IP connection from a client it makes a decision on which real server to forward the connection to. All packets for the life of this TCP/IP connection will be forwarded to the same real server so the integrity of the connection between the client and the real server is maintained.