Chapter 1. Linux Virtual Server Overview

1.1. A Basic LVS Configuration

1.1.1. Data Replication and Data Sharing Between Real Servers

1.2. A Three-Tier LVS Configuration

1.3. LVS Scheduling Overview

1.3.1. Scheduling Algorithms
1.3.2. Server Weight and Scheduling

1.4. Routing Methods

1.4.1. NAT Routing
1.4.2. Direct Routing

1.5. Persistence and Firewall Marks

1.5.1. Persistence
1.5.2. Firewall Marks

1.6. LVS — A Block Diagram

1.6.1. LVS Components

Linux Virtual Server (LVS) is a set of integrated software components for balancing the IP load across a set of real servers. LVS runs on a pair of equally configured computers: one that is an active LVS router and one that is a backup LVS router. The active LVS router serves two roles:

To balance the load across the real servers.
To check the integrity of the services on each real server.

The backup LVS router monitors the active LVS router and takes over from it in case the active LVS router fails.

This chapter provides an overview of LVS components and functions, and consists of the following sections: