Normally we use Load Balancing for common server like 80(http), 25(smtp). If your apache server is serviced over hundreds of concurrent connection in a second, it will become very busy and sometimes not responded. Then you should apply Load Balancing to improve the server response time. By defining a very simple spare ip,port list, you will solve and reduce your server response time. Of course, you should install your spare http, smtp servers yourself with identical service (data, pictures, information).
How to choose Method in Auto Switch
1. A list of servers >=2 and all of them have then same ability, take Auto.
2. If default server with higher ability, take Default.
3. If there are only 2 or several servers, and any 1 of them may mal function long time, take Switch.
No. of retry before switch server is design for Switch Method ONLY. If the current selected server has no response after timeout, the default server will switch to available spare server.
Auto Switch Combination
If you have more than 1 server farms, you can startup 3 Magic Router with Auto Switch ON.
The first Magic Router, set Method = Default, and point the default ip:port to the second Magic Router. And set a spare server ip:port point to the third Magic Router. The timeout must longer than second or third Magic Router.
The second Magic Router (with higher ability or stability), set Method = Auto, and all ip:port point to the first server farm.
The third Magic Router (with lower ability or stability), set Method = Auto, and all ip:port point to the second server farm.
How to fine tune Auto Switch – Timeout /ms
If you always get email notification about “Auto Switch - No available server !!”, you need to adjust the timeout time to higher values. If the last setting is 2000 ms, adjust to 4000 ms
If you are using Auto Switch in combination mode, the first instant Magic Router – Auto Switch Timeout time must larger then the second instant Magic Router. Since the first instant will always receive data later then the second instant.
Do not enable Header Forward when PassIp option is enabled. If you enable Header Forward, the forward side must be a Magic Router first.