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Hi,
CISCO localdirector has stalled since they have bought Arrowpoint. So the
CISCO CSS (Content Smart Switch) is the localdirector replacent. The main
difference is that localdirector were an embended PC running a
loadbalancinf software on 2 NIC, now with CSS they use native ASICs to
loadbalance trafic. The cost of this bow is around US$12,000.
I use CISCO CSS and LVS in production, I prefer LVS because you can
manipulate it as you like and script some nice features (CSS has also an
embended scripting language but it is not as extensible as unix scripting
or C progy). Another thinks is that CSS only work in NAT environnement this
is why they are using expensive ASICs to handle stream.
Anyway the best choice to your loadbalance architecture will be parasited
by ignorance displaying on linux & LVS. Decision maker often say "I prefer
CISCO because it is our routing constructor partner, and I can access
technical support, ...." blablabla it is the best choice, ...., blablabla,
... :))) People thinking that really display there ignorance ! If you have
a budget limitation LVS, this is often a good arguments for descision
maker. Otherwise I recommand you creating a sample demo loadbalancing
architecture using LVS. That kind of approach show LVS in action, and you
will be in front of all the nice LVS features ! Then you just take a CSS or
foundry product for testing and set the same architecture... It will show
you the black box limitations.
An other aguments is that LVS handle security checks directly builded in so
you can specify many stack parameters that you will not be able with black
box.
Another problems is the support ! It is a wrong problem since all people in
this mailing list are very active and answer efficiently to every non
documented problems. When you post directly in mailing list you are
confronted with all the end user of LVS and with the coders that can answer
more efficiently than any constructor hot line. Do not forgive that
contructors often put unqualified person to the hotline to teach them their
products functionnalities, so you are very limited some time by this first
hotline level !.
Another things is that to setup LVS you do not need to be a linux or LVS
expert at all ! The HOWTO describe all the steps needed to setup a nice LVS
topology.
Best Regards,
Alexandre
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