This topology enables the maximum throughput through the network as return traffic no longer has to travel through an Linux Director. This topology builds on the existing routing infrastructure of a network by allowing existing internal routing policies to dictate the flow of out-bound traffic.

Linux Directors: At any given time one Linux Director is active, while the other is a hot stand-by. The active linux director accepts traffic. Connections are load balanced to the Real Servers. The two linux directors monitor each other and in the event of the active linux director failing the hot stand-by 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.

As the linux director is not the gateway router for the real servers, traffic does not have to travel through the linux director on the return path if direct routing or tunnelling is used. This enables greater throughput as the linux directors do not have to handle the return packets. It may be possible to send return traffic through different routers and/or unlinks as external connectivity permits.

Additional real servers may be added to the network as increased capacity is required. Furthermore, additional pairs of linux directors and corresponding real servers may be added to the network.