Microsoft AZ-700: Explore Load Balancing

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Notes from MS Learn AZ-700 Module 4: Load balance non-HTTP(S) traffic in Azure – Unit 2: Explore Load Balancing

Load balancing is even distro of workloads (inbound traffic) across multiple backend resources/servers. Intended to optimize use, maximize throughput, minimize response time, avoid overloading. Low-key improve availability by sharing workload

  • Load Balancing Option for Azure
    • Various options available – the primary are
      • Azure Load Balancer
        • High-perf, ultra low latency L4 load balance (Rx/Tx) for UDP and TCP.
        • Can handle millions of request/s
        • Zone-redundant
      • Traffic Managers
        • DNS based allowing for distribution across global regions
        • Slower fail over due to being DNS based with TTL’s and DNS caching
      • Azure App Gateway
        • Provides app delivery controller (ADC) as a service for various L7 capabilities
        • Use to optimize web farm productivity offloading CPU intense SSL term to gateway
      • Azure Front Door
        • App delivery net providing global load balance and site acceleration for web apps
        • L7 capabilities for e.g.
          • SSL offload
          • Path-based routing
          • Fast failover
          • Caching
          • Etc
        • Improves perf and HA for apps
  • Categorizing Load Balancing Services
    • Categorize in global vs regional
      • Global
        • Distribute traffic across regional backends/clouds/hybrid on-prem
        • Route user traffic to closet backend
        • React to changes in reliability or perf
      • Regional
        • Distribute withing VNet across VM’s or zonal & zone redundant endpoints in a region
    • HTTP(S) vs non-HTTP(S)
      • HTTP(S)
        • L7 only accepts HTTP(S) traffic
        • Intent for web apps or other HTTP(S) endpoints
        • Include features such as SSL offload, web app FW, path-based load balance, session affinity
      • Non-HTTP(S)
        • Handle non-http(s) traffic recommended for nonweb workloads
    • (Table below from MS Learn)
  • Choosing a load balancing option for Azure
    • Key factors
      • Type of traffic
        • Is it web app? Public-facing? Private?
      • Scope
        • Need to load balance VM’s/containers in VNet?
        • Load balance across regions? Or both?
      • Availability
        • What is the SLA
      • Cost
        • Op cost to manage/maintain service on top of service itself?
        • Visit Load balancing pricing MS page for predicting
      • Features/Limitations
    • Flow-chart to aid in choice (Pulled from MS Learn site)
      •  
    • Use flowchart as starting point – evaluate app with multiple workloads with each workload independently
  • Selecting a load balancing solution by using the Azure Portal
    • Azure Load Balancing page in portal has a help me choose option
      • Is a Yes/No questionaire
      • Also has a Service Comparison and Tutorial tab including training on solutions
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