Equalizer acts as a gateway and kernel-mode network address translation engine which permits an arbitrary number of servers to sit behind a single IP address and TCP port. Several different load balancing policies are available and automatic server failure detection provides high-availability. FreeQualizer is limited to a single virtual cluster with two servers and does not include the graphical reporting facility and secure administration facilities included with the commercial product. FreeQualizer is a freely downloadable software version of Coyote Point's Equalizer server management system. Like Equalizer, FreeQualizer provides server load balancing and failover features necessary for constructing a scalable, available server farm.
Equalizer performs the function of a logical gateway between the servers and the outside world.
You'll also need to install Apache if you want to use the browser administration tool. You'll need a system capable of running FreeBSD, a 486 or better class CPU, 16MB of memory and one or two supported NIC cards. If you want to have the servers on a seperate network segment, behind the Equalizer, you'll need two NICs. See the manual for information on using the Equalizer in a single network environment. You'll also need a couple of server machines.