Back when the company was preparing to merge with Web-based entertainment service CitySearch, the staff had a sudden, chilling insight. At the time, we couldn't modify the application very much, since it was already generating revenue. So we decided to go with the existing service and duplicate it in multiple locations. Today, a pair of load-balancing devices sits in front of each of TicketMaster's five server clusters, parceling out traffic to the most available systems. Batchelor says that the new hardware allowed TicketMaster to build on its existing servers, rather than requiring it to scrap the previous system altogether.
Load balancers react to the situation by spreading traffic among the remaining servers.
Batchelor's team opted for powerful Alteon ACEdirector 3 load balancers from Nortel Networks, but small businesses can find more affordable options. The devices can be paired so that a backup load balancer is ready to step in if the primary unit fails. Growing businesses may opt for more capacity and features.