WebMux
Encyclopedia
WebMuxTM is a computer networking device
manufactured by CAI Networks
, Inc. Its function is to direct network packets based on OSI
layer 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 protocols to multiple network servers, accomplishing both fault tolerance and high availability in hosting websites and web-based applications.
WebMux has a built-in health-checking function that detects any failure of the related network devices, including the front network gateway, using known protocols like HTTP, or SMTP, DNS
, NTP
, or based on feedback from custom CGI script running on the server. WebMux has BAM feature to relieve congestion from a single network device. WebMux has MAP feature to simplify complex configuration for connecting clients and servers from different uplink ISP addresses and ports. WebMux has multiple uplink logic built-in since 1999. In 2008, CAI Networks
released a firmware enhanced configuration for this feature through multiple VLAN.
WebMux also has a SSL acceleration
feature as well as features to direct website visitors based on MIME headers, cookie
, and URL
layer 7 pattern match. WebMux has HTTP Compression feature as well. In 2006, White House
took notice of CAI Networks
readiness for IPv6
. WebMux supports IPv4
and IPv6 (IPv6 support in WebMux firmware version 8.2.01 and above). Both Oracle Corporation
and Microsoft
web sites listed WebMux as tested and validated load balancing solution.
A special WebMux mode called transparent makes TCP
/IP and UDP
/IP services communicate through WebMux as if they were communicating just via a wire. However, in HA
and transparent mode, WebMux is required to use network switch
es supporting Spanning Tree Protocol
.
Computer networking device
'Computer networking devices are units that mediate data in a computer network. Computer networking devices are also called network equipment, Intermediate Systems or InterWorking Unit...
manufactured by CAI Networks
CAI Networks
CAI Networks, Inc. is a privately held company providing network products for e-commerce, government, and IT industries. It was established in 1998 and since January 2000 is based in Santa Ana, California. It has engineering offices in the USA, UK, Taiwan, and China. It has thousands customers in...
, Inc. Its function is to direct network packets based on OSI
OSI
- General :* OSI Pharmaceuticals, an American pharmaceutical company* OSI Restaurant Partners, the restaurant and entertainment group that includes Outback Steakhouse...
layer 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 protocols to multiple network servers, accomplishing both fault tolerance and high availability in hosting websites and web-based applications.
WebMux has a built-in health-checking function that detects any failure of the related network devices, including the front network gateway, using known protocols like HTTP, or SMTP, DNS
Domain name system
The Domain Name System is a hierarchical distributed naming system for computers, services, or any resource connected to the Internet or a private network. It associates various information with domain names assigned to each of the participating entities...
, NTP
Network Time Protocol
The Network Time Protocol is a protocol and software implementation for synchronizing the clocks of computer systems over packet-switched, variable-latency data networks. Originally designed by David L...
, or based on feedback from custom CGI script running on the server. WebMux has BAM feature to relieve congestion from a single network device. WebMux has MAP feature to simplify complex configuration for connecting clients and servers from different uplink ISP addresses and ports. WebMux has multiple uplink logic built-in since 1999. In 2008, CAI Networks
CAI Networks
CAI Networks, Inc. is a privately held company providing network products for e-commerce, government, and IT industries. It was established in 1998 and since January 2000 is based in Santa Ana, California. It has engineering offices in the USA, UK, Taiwan, and China. It has thousands customers in...
released a firmware enhanced configuration for this feature through multiple VLAN.
WebMux also has a SSL acceleration
SSL acceleration
SSL acceleration is a method of offloading the processor-intensive public key encryption algorithms involved in SSL transactions to a hardware accelerator....
feature as well as features to direct website visitors based on MIME headers, cookie
Cookie
In the United States and Canada, a cookie is a small, flat, baked treat, usually containing fat, flour, eggs and sugar. In most English-speaking countries outside North America, the most common word for this is biscuit; in many regions both terms are used, while in others the two words have...
, and URL
Uniform Resource Locator
In computing, a uniform resource locator or universal resource locator is a specific character string that constitutes a reference to an Internet resource....
layer 7 pattern match. WebMux has HTTP Compression feature as well. In 2006, White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
took notice of CAI Networks
CAI Networks
CAI Networks, Inc. is a privately held company providing network products for e-commerce, government, and IT industries. It was established in 1998 and since January 2000 is based in Santa Ana, California. It has engineering offices in the USA, UK, Taiwan, and China. It has thousands customers in...
readiness for IPv6
IPv6
Internet Protocol version 6 is a version of the Internet Protocol . It is designed to succeed the Internet Protocol version 4...
. WebMux supports IPv4
IPv4
Internet Protocol version 4 is the fourth revision in the development of the Internet Protocol and the first version of the protocol to be widely deployed. Together with IPv6, it is at the core of standards-based internetworking methods of the Internet...
and IPv6 (IPv6 support in WebMux firmware version 8.2.01 and above). Both Oracle Corporation
Oracle Corporation
Oracle Corporation is an American multinational computer technology corporation that specializes in developing and marketing hardware systems and enterprise software products – particularly database management systems...
and Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
web sites listed WebMux as tested and validated load balancing solution.
A special WebMux mode called transparent makes TCP
Transmission Control Protocol
The Transmission Control Protocol is one of the core protocols of the Internet Protocol Suite. TCP is one of the two original components of the suite, complementing the Internet Protocol , and therefore the entire suite is commonly referred to as TCP/IP...
/IP and UDP
User Datagram Protocol
The User Datagram Protocol is one of the core members of the Internet Protocol Suite, the set of network protocols used for the Internet. With UDP, computer applications can send messages, in this case referred to as datagrams, to other hosts on an Internet Protocol network without requiring...
/IP services communicate through WebMux as if they were communicating just via a wire. However, in HA
High availability
High availability is a system design approach and associated service implementation that ensures a prearranged level of operational performance will be met during a contractual measurement period....
and transparent mode, WebMux is required to use network switch
Network switch
A network switch or switching hub is a computer networking device that connects network segments.The term commonly refers to a multi-port network bridge that processes and routes data at the data link layer of the OSI model...
es supporting Spanning Tree Protocol
Spanning tree protocol
The Spanning Tree Protocol is a network protocol that ensures a loop-free topology for any bridged Ethernet local area network. The basic function of STP is to prevent bridge loops and ensuing broadcast radiation...
.