Shaka Technologies Ishlangu Load Balancer ADC just keeps getting better and better. With our latest release, we are proud to announce transparent support for the WebSocket protocol.

WebSocket Support

What are WebSockets?

If you haven't heard about WebSockets before, here is a quick run-down.

Put in a single sentence, WebSockets provide full-duplex or bi-directional communication between client and server systems over a long-lived TCP connection. WebSockets allow messages to be instantly distributed with little overhead resulting in a very low latency connection. This is a game changer for the Web.

Why are WebSockets important?

The HTTP protocol is pretty old. In fact, some might say it is ancient. The point is, it wasn't designed to do the things we want it to do today. We want data fed to us instantly or in real-time. The simple fact is, HTTP wasn't designed to do that. HTTP is a simple request-response model. A browser (client) requests information. The website (server) sends a response. End of story. In order for instant or real-time communication to be achieved, the client has to continually ask for updates from the server. Unfortunately, this is extremely resource intensive, so to alleviate the cost, clients ask for updates on an interval, maybe once every minute, or once every five seconds. But if the client only asks for data every minute, it can't really be instant can it? Enter WebSockets.

WebSockets to the Rescue!

As mentioned before, WebSockets are long-lived bi-directional connections. Unlike HTTP, the server can send updates to clients without the clients having to continually ask for them. The instant the server has an update, the client will be notified.

WebSockets = Instant / Real-Time Communication

In summary, your website or web application isn't truly instant or real-time unless it is using WebSockets.

Cool, So how do I configure Ishlangu to use WebSockets?

Good question, with an even better answer. You don't have to do a thing! Isn't that great? Unlike some of the other load balancers out there, you don't have to change a single thing in order to get WebSockets working with Ishlangu. Ishlangu 1.5.5 transparently supports websocket communication and will automatically detect and upgrade a connection to a websocket connection seamlessly without any user interaction.

Secure WebSockets and SSL Offloading

As with HTTP communication, WebSocket communication can be secured with SSL, but with the same overhead. Fortunately, Ishlangu can offload SSL for WebSockets just as easily as it does for HTTP. As mentioned before, you do not have to add any extra configuration in order to support it!

Get Started Today!

We've just added another amazing feature to Ishlangu, so why not try Ishlangu Load Balancer ADC today!

Enjoy.