News

Microsoft Releases Load Balancing

Windows NT Server 4.0 Enterprise Edition now boasts load balancing. Microsoft Corp. today announced the availability of Windows NT Load Balancing Service (WLBS), which had been expected to be released this month.

WLBS allows clustering of TCP/IP-based network services across up to 32 systems, which appear as a single logical TCP/IP address space, Microsoft says. The technology is based on Convoy Cluster Software, which Microsoft acquired when it purchased Beaverton, Ore.-based Valence Research Inc. in August.

WLBS is designed as a front-end complement to Microsoft Cluster Service (MSCS) for e-commerce sites, corporate intranet server farms, streaming media services, virtual private networks and Internet service providers.

Microsoft’s recommended n-tier configuration calls for the two-node MSCS to handle the back-end application and data service layers and WLBS to distribute client connections over multiple servers at the user-interface layer.

Microsoft demonstrated its end-to-end clustering solution at Networld + Interop in Atlanta in October. Microsoft has also been using the combination at microsoft.com and MSN.com.

WLBS is available immediately and rights to use the component are included in new Windows NT Server Enterprise Edition licenses. Existing enterprise edition license holders can download the component without cost. -- Scott Bekker, Staff Reporter

About the Author

Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.

Featured

  • Microsoft Offers Support Extensions for Exchange 2016 and 2019

    Microsoft has introduced a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program for on-premises Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, offering a crucial safety cushion as both versions near their Oct. 14, 2025 end-of-support date.

  • An image of planes flying around a globe

    2025 Microsoft Conference Calendar: For Partners, IT Pros and Developers

    Here's your guide to all the IT training sessions, partner meet-ups and annual Microsoft conferences you won't want to miss.

  • Notebook

    Microsoft Centers AI, Security and Partner Dogfooding at MCAPS

    Microsoft's second annual MCAPS for Partners event took place Tuesday, delivering a volley of updates and directives for its partners for fiscal 2026.

  • Microsoft Layoffs: AI Is the Obvious Elephant in the Room

    As Microsoft doubles down on an $80 billion bet on AI this fiscal year, its workforce reductions are drawing scrutiny over whether AI's ascent is quietly reshaping its human capital strategy, even as official messaging avoids drawing a direct line.

Most   Popular