Day-26 | AWS Load Balancers | ALB vs NLB vs GWLB | Detailed Comparison | #aws #abhishekveeramalla

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will explore AWS Load Balancers, focusing on the differences between Application Load Balancers (ALB), Network Load Balancers (NLB), and Gateway Load Balancers (GWLB). Understanding these load balancers is crucial for optimizing the distribution of incoming application or network traffic across multiple targets, enhancing scalability, and improving availability.

Step 1: Understand Application Load Balancers (ALB)

• Purpose: ALBs are designed to operate at the application layer (Layer 7) of the OSI model. They are ideal for routing HTTP and HTTPS traffic.
• Features:
  • Content-based routing: Route requests based on the content of the request (e.g., URL paths).
  • SSL termination: Handle SSL encryption and decryption, offloading this work from your web servers.
  • WebSocket support: Maintain persistent connections for real-time applications.
• Use Cases:
  • Microservices architecture: Distributing requests to different services based on URL.
  • Applications requiring advanced routing mechanisms.

Step 2: Understand Network Load Balancers (NLB)

• Purpose: NLBs operate at the transport layer (Layer 4) and are optimized for handling millions of requests per second while maintaining ultra-low latencies.
• Features:
  • TCP and UDP traffic management: Can handle both TCP and UDP traffic.
  • Static IP addresses: Can assign a static IP per Availability Zone.
  • Health checks: Monitor the health of targets and route traffic accordingly.
• Use Cases:
  • Applications requiring high throughput and low latency.
  • Real-time streaming and gaming applications.

Step 3: Understand Gateway Load Balancers (GWLB)

• Purpose: GWLBs integrate with third-party virtual appliances, allowing you to deploy, scale, and manage these appliances seamlessly.
• Features:
  • Transparent network traffic inspection: Can inspect and filter traffic without affecting performance.
  • Easy deployment: Simplifies the deployment of third-party appliances like firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
• Use Cases:
  • Environments needing advanced security or monitoring solutions.
  • Hybrid architectures where inspection of traffic is critical.

Step 4: Compare ALB, NLB, and GWLB

• Layer of Operation:

  • ALB: Layer 7 (Application)
  • NLB: Layer 4 (Transport)
  • GWLB: Operates as a gateway for third-party services.

• Traffic Types:

  • ALB: HTTP/HTTPS
  • NLB: TCP/UDP
  • GWLB: Traffic to virtual appliances.

• Performance:

  • ALB: Good for routing and traffic management but can add latency.
  • NLB: Best performance with low latency for high-throughput applications.
  • GWLB: Performance depends on the appliances used.

Conclusion

Understanding the distinctions among AWS Load Balancers—ALB, NLB, and GWLB—helps in selecting the right load balancing solution for your application needs. Choose ALB for HTTP/S routing, NLB for high-performance applications, and GWLB for integrating third-party services. As you continue your AWS learning journey, exploring how to implement these load balancers in real scenarios will deepen your knowledge and practical skills.