Load balancing in a session‐based distributed file‐store architecture
Matheus Santana, Ed Zaluska · Software Practice and Experience · 1988
Abstract This paper discusses novel dynamic‐load‐balancing and user‐allocation mechanisms for an advanced session‐based file‐store architecture to improve overall system performance. Such an architecture comprises several LAN‐based file servers working together, implementing a global and distributed file‐store for a loosely coupled distributed computing system. The load‐balancing and user‐allocation algorithms are responsibilities of a high‐level co‐ordinator server, which may be either centralized or distributed. The mechanism discussed considers three basic parameters in order to optimize the global performance: the individual file‐server performance, the cost of connection between user workstations and file servers and the cost of accessing different file servers. The paper presents the algorithms developed, together with a brief description of the file‐store architecture and associated environment. Results obtained from a simulation study and practical aspects are also presented and discussed.