WebMux

WebMux^TM is a computer networking device manufactured by CAI Networks, Inc. Its function is to direct network packets based on OSI layer 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 protocols to multiple network servers, accomplishing both fault tolerance and high availability in hosting websites and web-based applications.

WebMux has a built-in health-checking function that detects any failure of the related network devices, including the front network gateway, using known protocols like HTTP GET, or SMTP, DNS, NTP, or based on feedback from custom CGI script running on the server. WebMux has BAM feature to relieve congestion from a single network device. WebMux has MAP feature to simplify complex configuration for connecting clients and servers from different uplink ISP addresses and ports. WebMux has multiple uplink logic built-in since 1999. In 2008, CAI Networks released a firmware enhanced configuration for this feature through multiple VLAN.

WebMux also has a SSL acceleration feature as well as features to direct website visitors based on MIME headers,cookie, and URL layer 7 pattern match. WebMux has HTTP Compression feature as well. In 2006, White House took notice of CAI Networks readiness for IPV6. WebMux supports IPV4 and IPV6 (IPV6 support in WebMux firmware version 8.2.01 and above). Both Oracle Corporation and Microsoft web sites listed WebMux as tested and validated load balancing solution.

A special WebMux mode called transparent makes TCP/IP and UDP/IP services communicate through WebMux as if they were communicating just via a wire. However, in HA and transparent mode, WebMux is required to use network switches supporting Spanning Tree Protocol.

External links

* [http://www.cainetworks.com/support/training/load-balance-intro.html Why load balancing]