Systems and methods for load balancing based on user selected metrics

摘要

The present invention provides improvements to load balancing by providing a load balancing solution that allows a user to select metrics, weights and thresholds from metrics collected or determined by a load balancing appliance as well as metrics obtained from another device, such as a server running the service. The systems and methods described providing a load balancing technique in which load balancing decisions can be made based on metrics known by another device monitoring such metrics. The load balancing appliance uses a network management protocol and communication model, such as a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), to identify and collect metrics from a server, service or other device. These metrics are available on the load balancing appliance with appliance determined metrics. Via a configuration interface of the appliance, a user can select one or more appliance determined metrics and/or the metrics obtained via the network management protocol to determine the load of a service.