Networking

Direct Server Return (DSR) Load Balancing

Network Design diagram · made in Skemio

Direct Server Return topology showing small inbound requests through a load balancer and large outbound responses routed straight to clients.
Direct Server Return topology showing small inbound requests through a load balancer and large outbound responses routed straight to clients.
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What it shows

  • Clients send small requests through LB; backend servers reply directly.
  • Multiplies outbound streaming throughput by 10x with low LB hardware cost.
  • Servers must configure VIP on loopback to accept packets without ARP clash.

The takeaway

DSR bypasses load balancer outbound limits for massive asymmetrical streaming.

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