Balancing network loads to optimize user traffic (cluster administrators only)

Load balancing types
DNS load balancing and Automatic LIF rebalancing methods aid in selecting an appropriately loaded data LIF and balancing user network traffic across all available ports (physical or interface groups).

Guidelines for assigning load balancing weights
Data ONTAP automatically assigns weights to data LIFs by collecting periodic statistics on the current node and port resources (CPU usage, throughput, open connections, and so on). To override the automatic assignment, you must consider certain guidelines for manually assigning load balancing weights to LIFs.

How DNS load balancing works
A DNS load balancing zone is a DNS server inside the cluster that dynamically evaluates the load on all LIFs and returns an appropriately loaded LIF. DNS load balancing works by assigning a weight (metric), which in turn is based on the load, to each LIF.

How automatic LIF rebalancing works
In automatic LIF rebalancing, LIFs are automatically and periodically migrated to a less-utilized port based on the configured failover rules. Automatic LIF rebalancing allows even distribution of current load.

Combining load balancing methods in an SVM accessible in a multiprotocol environment
In a Storage Virtual Machine (SVM) that is accessible from multiple protocols, such as CIFS and NFS, you can use DNS load balancing and automatic LIF rebalancing simultaneously.

Balancing network loads to optimize user traffic (cluster administrators only)

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