Load Balancing Explained: How Traffic Is Spread Across Multiple Servers

Load balancing is a technique used in computer networks to distribute incoming user requests across multiple servers, preventing any single machine from becoming overloaded. A load balancer sits between users and backend servers, routing each request based on configured rules and algorithms. Common strategies include Round Robin, which cycles requests evenly across servers in sequence, and Least Connections, which directs traffic to the server currently handling the fewest active users. Without load balancing, a surge in traffic — such as thousands of users simultaneously streaming a popular video — can cause slow response times, crashes, or extended downtime. The approach is essential for modern applications that must remain fast and available under heavy or unpredictable user loads.
This is an AI-generated summary. ShortSingh links to the original source for the complete article.
Discussion (0)
Log in to join the discussion and vote.
Log in