CrossNodes Briefing: BIND - Page 2

Global Load Balancers (GLB)
Communications managers also use BIND or an add-on product to help balance processing requests between servers. BIND servers use GLB to re-route traffic to preferred servers or servers with a lighter workload. Vendors provide three approaches to balance processor loads. The BIND DNS can route requests to the GLB, which in turn, routes the request. As an alternative, some users implement the GLB to monitor traffic and change addresses as needed. Other servers integrate the GLB with the DNS.

Some ISPs use blocking as a security measure, and this can disrupt the GLB. Communications managers, therefore, must confer with their ISP and verify that their firewall permits readdressing before they install the GLB.

Decision Points
Communication managers who want to implement an Internet server need to consider BIND. It is best to use the latest versions and to monitor the ISC web site for upgrades after the program is installed. Managers also need to ensure that their ISP, firewall, and other security components support BIND, especially if they plan to implement GLB with the software. They also need to realize that this is open source software. With a little searching, managers may find a customized BIND implementation that eliminates their investment in getting the software to work the way they need it to operate. Taking the time now to investigate BIND can save time and money later.

Gerald Williams serves as Director of Quality Assurance for Dolphin Inc., a software development company. Williams has extensive background in technology and testing, previously serving as Editorial Director with National Software Testing Labs (NSTL), Executive Editor with Datapro Research, and Managing Editor of Datapro's PC Communications reference service.