Adding Virtual Load Balancers

Learn how to add multiple virtual load balancers (vLBs) on a single Flexible Load Balancer (FLB). If you have already created a load balancer, now you have option to add multiple virtual load balancers on it.

Overview

If you have already created a load balancer, now you have option to add multiple virtual load balancers on it.

Key Benefits:

• Multiple vLBs on Single FLB: Launch multiple virtual load balancers on the same FLB server
• Cost-Effective: If you want to load balance multiple apps, you don't need to launch multiple FLB, (unless you want different location), you can launch multiple virtual LB on same FLB server
• Flexible Scaling: How many vLB you can launch depending upon the size of your FLB
• Efficient Resource Usage: Maximize the use of a single load balancer server
• Simplified Management: Manage multiple load balancers from one FLB instance

Why Use Multiple Virtual Load Balancers:

• Separate Applications: Load balance different applications independently
• Environment Separation: Separate production, staging, and development traffic
• Service Isolation: Isolate different services (frontend, API, admin)
• Traffic Management: Manage traffic for different domains or subdomains
• Cost Optimization: Avoid launching multiple FLBs when not needed

When to Launch Multiple FLBs:

• Different Locations: When you need load balancers in different geographic locations
• High Traffic: When a single FLB cannot handle all your traffic
• Isolation Requirements: When you need complete isolation between load balancers

Prerequisites

• Active Flexible Load Balancer: You must have an existing Flexible Load Balancer
• Applications Ready (Optional): Applications can be selected during vLB creation or added later
• Understanding of Traffic Needs: Know which applications you want to route traffic to

Adding Virtual Load Balancer

Step 1: Navigate to Virtual Load Balancers

In order to launch another virtual load balancer apart from default load balancer, go to "Load Balancer Administration".

Access Steps:

1. Log in to KloudBean Dashboard: Access your KloudBean account
2. Navigate to Load Balancers: Go to Flexible Load Balancers section
3. Select Your FLB: Click on your existing Flexible Load Balancer
4. Load Balancer Administration: This opens the Load Balancer Administration page

Click on "Virtual LBs" tab.

On Virtual LBs Tab:

• Existing Virtual LBs: On this tab you will see your existing virtual LB
• Default vLB: The default virtual load balancer created automatically
• Add Button: And a button "Add Virtual load balancer" to add another load balancer
• vLB List: View all your virtual load balancers in one place

What You'll See:

• Default Virtual Load Balancer: Created automatically when FLB was launched
• Add Virtual Load Balancer Button: Button to create new virtual load balancer
• vLB Status: Status of each virtual load balancer
• Quick Actions: Quick access to vLB management options

Step 2: Click Add Virtual Load Balancer

Click on this button and there will be a prompt, to enter new virtual load balancer detail.

Creation Prompt:

• Form Opens: A form/prompt opens for entering vLB details
• Required Fields: Fields that must be filled
• Optional Fields: Fields that can be configured later
• Application Selection: Option to select applications immediately

Step 3: Enter Virtual Load Balancer Details

You have to add following detail.

Required Information:

Label:

• Purpose: A descriptive name for your virtual load balancer
• Examples:
  • frontend-vlb for frontend applications
  • api-vlb for API services
  • admin-vlb for admin interfaces
  • production-vlb for production environment
• Best Practice: Use a name that clearly describes the purpose
• Required: This field is mandatory
• Naming Tips:
  • Use descriptive names
  • Include environment if applicable
  • Keep names consistent

Domain (Optional):

• Purpose: Your custom domain for this virtual load balancer
• Optional: You can add it later if not ready now
• Format: Example: api.example.com, www.example.com
• Benefits:
  • Professional appearance
  • Better branding
  • SSL support
• Configuration: Can be configured after vLB creation
• CNAME Setup: Will need to point CNAME record to endpoint URL

Select Applications:

• Purpose: Select applications you want to route traffic to
• Application Pool: Applications that will receive traffic from this vLB
• Selection Options:
  • Multiple Selection: You can select multiple applications
  • All Applications: Select all or specific applications
  • Add Later: Applications can be added later if not selected now
• Application List: Shows all available applications
• Filter Options: Filter applications by server, region, or type
• Best Practice: Select applications that should receive traffic from this vLB

Configuration Tips:

• Start Simple: You can start with basic configuration and add details later
• Applications Can Be Added Later: Don't worry if you don't select all applications now
• Domain Can Wait: Custom domain can be configured after vLB is created
• Label is Important: Choose a good label as it helps identify the vLB

Step 4: Create Virtual Load Balancer

Once you add these details, click on button create.

Creation Process:

• Click Create: Click the "Create" button to proceed
• Validation: System validates the information
• Processing: Virtual load balancer creation begins
• Quick Process: It will take couple of seconds and your virtual load balancer is up and running and routing traffic to selected apps

What Happens:

• vLB Creation: Virtual load balancer is created
• Configuration: Load balancer is configured automatically
• Application Routing: Traffic routing to selected applications begins
• Status Update: vLB status changes to "Active"
• Ready to Use: Virtual load balancer is immediately ready to use

After Creation:

• vLB Appears in List: New virtual load balancer appears in the list
• Active Status: Shows as "Active" and ready
• Traffic Routing: Immediately starts routing traffic to selected applications
• Access Available: Can be accessed via endpoint URL

Step 5: Access Virtual Load Balancer

Click on your newly created virtual load balancer to open its detail, or click on three dotted menu to update its application pool.

Access Options:

Option 1: Click on vLB Card:

• Direct Access: Click directly on the virtual load balancer card
• Opens Details: Opens the virtual load balancer details page
• Full Information: View all vLB information and settings

Option 2: Three Dotted Menu:

• Menu Icon: Click on the three dotted menu (⋮) icon
• Quick Actions: Access quick action menu
• Update Application Pool: Option to update application pool directly
• Other Options: Additional management options available

Both Methods:

• Same Result: Both methods allow you to manage the vLB
• Choose Convenience: Use whichever method is more convenient
• Full Access: Full access to all vLB features and settings

Step 6: View Virtual Load Balancer Details

If you click on this, you will see load balancer details.

Virtual Load Balancer Information:

Endpoint URL:

• Purpose: Endpoint URL is the URL you use to access this virtual load balancer
• Format: Usually in format like vlb-xxxxx.kloudbean.com or similar
• Public Access: This URL is publicly accessible
• HTTPS Support: Supports both HTTP and HTTPS protocols
• Testing: Use this URL to test your virtual load balancer
• Application Access: Applications can be accessed through this URL

Domain:

• Purpose: Your custom domain (if configured)
• Status: Shows if custom domain is configured
• Configuration: Configure or update custom domain here
• CNAME Target: Endpoint URL is the CNAME target for custom domain
• Multiple Domains: You can add multiple domains to same vLB

Applications Pool:

• Purpose: You can update apps pool as required
• Current Applications: Shows applications currently in the pool
• Add Applications: Add new applications to the pool
• Remove Applications: Remove applications from the pool
• Manage Pool: Full control over which applications receive traffic
• Pool Status: Shows health status of applications in pool

Additional Information (may be displayed):

• Status: Virtual load balancer status (Active/Inactive)
• Traffic Statistics: Traffic and performance metrics
• SSL Status: SSL certificate status
• Health Checks: Health check configuration and status
• Load Balancing Method: Current load balancing algorithm

Managing Application Pool

Updating Application Pool:

• Add Applications: Add new applications to the pool anytime
• Remove Applications: Remove applications from pool when needed
• Update Configuration: Modify application pool settings
• Health Monitoring: Monitor health of applications in pool

For detailed instructions on managing application pool, see: Updating Application Pool

Adding Custom Domain

Optionally you can add custom domain to your virtual load balancer.

Custom Domain Benefits:

• Professional Appearance: Use your own domain name
• Better Branding: Improved branding for your applications
• SSL Support: Can add SSL certificates for custom domain
• Multiple Domains: Support for multiple domains on same vLB

If you want to enable custom domain then you have to point CNAME record to this host URL.

CNAME Configuration:

• Record Type: CNAME
• Name: Your domain or subdomain (e.g., www, api, @)
• Value: The endpoint URL (host URL) provided by KloudBean
• TTL: 3600 (or recommended value)

In order to know better how to add custom domain, review our document: Adding Custom Domain

Custom Domain Setup Process:

1. Get Endpoint URL: Note the endpoint URL from vLB details
2. Add CNAME Record: Add CNAME record at your domain registrar
3. Point to Endpoint URL: Point CNAME record to the endpoint URL
4. Verify Domain: Verify domain in KloudBean dashboard
5. SSL Configuration: Add SSL certificate for secure connections

Virtual Load Balancer Limits

How many vLB you can launch depending upon the size of your FLB.

Factors Affecting vLB Capacity:

• FLB Server Size: Larger FLB servers support more vLBs
• Resource Allocation: Each vLB uses resources from the FLB server
• Traffic Volume: Number of vLBs depends on expected traffic
• Application Count: Number of applications being load balanced

Scaling Options:

• Upgrade FLB Size: Upgrade your FLB server size to support more vLBs
• Contact Support: Contact KloudBean support to understand your specific limits
• Optimize Configuration: Optimize vLB configuration for better resource usage

Best Practices:

• Plan Ahead: Consider how many vLBs you'll need before launching FLB
• Monitor Resources: Monitor FLB resource usage
• Scale When Needed: Upgrade FLB size when approaching limits
• Optimize vLBs: Remove unused vLBs to free up resources

Use Cases for Multiple Virtual Load Balancers

Application Separation

Different Applications:

• Frontend vLB: Route traffic to frontend applications
• API vLB: Route traffic to API services
• Admin vLB: Route traffic to admin interfaces
• Microservices: Separate vLBs for different microservices

Environment Separation

Different Environments:

• Production vLB: Production environment traffic
• Staging vLB: Staging environment traffic
• Development vLB: Development environment traffic
• Testing vLB: Testing environment traffic

Domain-Based Routing

Different Domains:

• Main Domain vLB: example.com traffic
• API Domain vLB: api.example.com traffic
• Admin Domain vLB: admin.example.com traffic
• CDN vLB: Content delivery network traffic

Service-Based Routing

Different Services:

• Web Service vLB: Web application traffic
• Mobile API vLB: Mobile API traffic
• Third-Party vLB: Third-party service traffic
• Internal vLB: Internal service traffic

Best Practices

Planning

• Plan Your vLBs: Plan how many vLBs you'll need before creating them
• Choose Right FLB Size: Select FLB size based on expected number of vLBs
• Organize by Purpose: Group related applications in same vLB
• Use Descriptive Labels: Use clear, descriptive labels for vLBs

Configuration

• Start with Applications: Select applications during creation when possible
• Add Domain Later: Custom domain can be added after vLB creation
• Configure Health Checks: Set up health checks for applications
• Monitor Performance: Monitor each vLB's performance individually

Management

• Regular Review: Periodically review and optimize your vLBs
• Remove Unused vLBs: Remove vLBs that are no longer needed
• Update Application Pool: Keep application pool updated
• Document Configuration: Keep notes on each vLB's purpose and configuration

Troubleshooting

Cannot Add Virtual Load Balancer

If you cannot add a new virtual load balancer:

• Check FLB Status: Verify FLB is active and running
• Check Limits: Verify you haven't reached vLB limit for your FLB size
• Review Errors: Check for any error messages
• Contact Support: Contact KloudBean support if issues persist

Virtual Load Balancer Not Routing Traffic

If vLB is not routing traffic:

• Check Status: Verify vLB status is "Active"
• Check Application Pool: Verify applications are in the pool
• Verify Applications: Ensure applications are running and accessible
• Check Health Checks: Verify health checks are passing
• Review Configuration: Review vLB configuration settings

Applications Not Receiving Traffic

If applications are not receiving traffic:

• Check Application Pool: Verify applications are in the pool
• Application Status: Verify applications are running
• Health Status: Check application health status
• Network Connectivity: Verify network connectivity
• Load Balancing Method: Review load balancing algorithm

Next Steps

After creating your virtual load balancer:

• Add Applications: Learn how to Update Application Pool to manage applications
• Add Custom Domain: Configure Adding Custom Domain for your vLB
• Add SSL: Secure your vLB with Adding Free SSL Certificates
• Monitor Health: Monitor your load balancer with Monitoring Load Balancer Health

Summary

Key Points:

• Multiple vLBs on Single FLB: Add multiple virtual load balancers on one FLB server
• Cost-Effective: No need for multiple FLBs unless you need different locations
• vLB Capacity: Number of vLBs depends on FLB server size
• Quick Creation: Virtual load balancers are created in seconds
• Immediate Routing: Traffic routing starts immediately after creation
• Flexible Management: Applications and domains can be added or updated anytime

Creation Process:

1. Navigate to Load Balancer Administration → Virtual LBs tab
2. Click "Add Virtual load balancer" button
3. Enter Label, Domain (optional), and Select Applications
4. Click "Create" button
5. Virtual load balancer is created and ready in seconds

Management:

• Access Details: Click on vLB card or use three-dotted menu
• View Information: See Endpoint URL, Domain, and Applications Pool
• Update Pool: Update application pool as required
• Add Domain: Configure custom domain by pointing CNAME to endpoint URL