Load balancer
A system that distributes incoming requests across several servers so that no server is overloaded and the service continues if one fails.
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Why it matters
In a single-server setup, that server failing or being overloaded stops the whole service. A load balancer routes traffic to healthy servers, allows servers to be taken out of service one at a time during maintenance and makes it easy to add new servers as load grows.
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Example
When sales open on a ticketing site, requests are spread across four servers. When one of them stops responding, the load balancer takes it out of rotation and users notice no interruption.
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Common mistake
Multiplying servers while still keeping session data in a single server's memory. When the user is routed to another server, their cart or session is lost.
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Related terms
Related services and guides
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