Need some clarifications on Integration Server Clustering.

For example in our environment, we have server1 (wmdsis01) and server2 (wmdsis02) in IS Clustered mode namely wmdcis.
Let us say Server3(wmdsis03) is sending requests to process in cluster (wmdcis), we have done the POC for it and some requests are processed in server1 (wmdsis01) and some are in server2 (wmdsis02).

Do we need to have third party load Balancer in our environment.

1. What is the advantage and disadvantages of Using load balancer?

2. When IS Cluster itself can distribute the request based on IS Load, what is the additional requirement of having third party Load Balancer.?

3. If we have load balancer + IS Cluster, does it redirect FTP, FTPS, or SMTP requests

Notes from IS Cluster guide (7-1-1_Integration_Server_Clustering_Guide.pdf page: 8 of 38)
===========================================================
Note: webMethods Integration Server clustering redirects HTTP and HTTPS requests
only; it does not redirect FTP, FTPS, or SMTP requests.
Load balancing is an optimizing feature you use with clustered webMethods Integration
Servers. Load balancing controls how requests are distributed to the servers in the cluster.
You must use a third‐party load balancer to perform load balancing.

Please advice on this.

Thanks !

Warm Regards,
Gopinath K.M

IS-based load balancing is a deprecated feature. You should use a 3rd party load balancer. And you should have a failover facility for that device should it fail.

The capabilities of load balancers vary. Get one that supports balancing the protocols you intend to use.

Search the forums for IS clustering for discussions on the pros/cons of using IS clustering.

IS Cluster + Load Balancer or Indenpendent IS + Load Balancer for webMethods 7.1.2.

Which is the recommended way to acheive High availability + greater performance of IS?

To make that decision, you’ll need to consider the facilities that IS clustering provides. If your integrations would benefit from IS clustering, then set up IS clustering. Otherwise, the administrative work is likely not worth the effort.

Performance isn’t really an issue to consider when evaluating whether or not to use IS clustering.