# Load-balancing **URL:** \ **Category:** NGINX\ **Created:** [July 23, 2011, 5:35pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/load-balancing/209820 "2011-07-23T17:35:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![luislavena](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/l/0ea827/32.png) [@luislavena](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/luislavena)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2011, 5:35pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/load-balancing/209820/1 "2011-07-23T17:35:37Z")
Hi, I have a question about nginx configured as a load-balancer. Usually, when HTTP requests are balanced to a back-end server, the HTTP reply is sent back to the client through the load-balancer. Is this also the case for nginx, or is it also possible to configure nginx that the backend server will directly respond to the client? I wonder… Thank you, Andrej Posted at Nginx Forum: > **[load-balancing](https://forum.nginx.org/read.php?2,212866,212866#msg-212866)** > > Hi, I have a question about nginx configured as a load-balancer. Usually, when HTTP requests are balanced to a back-end server, the HTTP reply is sent back to the client through the load-balancer. Is this also the case for nginx, or is it also... ---
**Author:** ![andrejvanderzee](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/9d8465/32.png) [@andrejvanderzee](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/andrejvanderzee)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2011, 6:05pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/load-balancing/209820/2 "2011-07-23T18:05:55Z")
I don’t think that is technically possible because of the way that whole http thing works. Browser expects to get reply’s from the server they requested information from. They don’t open ports and wait for servers to connect to them. Also, web server doesn’t connect to anyone, they just open ports and wait until some browser ask some information. So, what you asking is not technically possible. Best Regards, Yaar Arabac 2011/7/23 andrejvanderzee [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) ---
**Author:** ![andrejvanderzee](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/9d8465/32.png) [@andrejvanderzee](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/andrejvanderzee)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2011, 6:09pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/load-balancing/209820/3 "2011-07-23T18:09:01Z")
Yes that is what my thoughts are too, just want to have a confirmation, especially from a nginx-developer. Cheers, Andrej Posted at Nginx Forum: > **[Re: load-balancing](https://forum.nginx.org/read.php?2,212866,212869#msg-212869)** > > Hi, I have a question about nginx configured as a load-balancer. Usually, when HTTP requests are balanced to a back-end server, the HTTP reply is sent back to the client through the load-balancer. Is this also the case for nginx, or is it also... ---
**Author:** ![andrejvanderzee](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/9d8465/32.png) [@andrejvanderzee](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/andrejvanderzee)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2011, 6:14pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/load-balancing/209820/4 "2011-07-23T18:14:34Z")
Umm, just to clarify things, I am not an nginx developer. 2011/7/23 andrejvanderzee [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) ---
**Author:** ![andrejvanderzee](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/9d8465/32.png) [@andrejvanderzee](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/andrejvanderzee)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2011, 11:57pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/load-balancing/209820/5 "2011-07-23T23:57:19Z")
Hello! On Sat, Jul 23, 2011 at 11:35:05AM -0400, andrejvanderzee wrote: > I have a question about nginx configured as a load-balancer. Usually, > when HTTP requests are balanced to a back-end server, the HTTP reply is > sent back to the client through the load-balancer. Is this also the case > for nginx, Yes. > or is it also possible to configure nginx that the backend > server will directly respond to the client? I wonder… No. Maxim D. ---
**Author:** ![andrejvanderzee](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/9d8465/32.png) [@andrejvanderzee](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/andrejvanderzee)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 3:36am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/load-balancing/209820/6 "2011-07-24T03:36:18Z")
what you are looking for is a LB with DSR mode (direct server return) this is done by manipulating the mac add header … you could hack something up yourself or purchase an appliance from known vendors that support dsr mode (brocade/a10 being 2 of many…) -Payam ---
**Author:** ![andrejvanderzee](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/9d8465/32.png) [@andrejvanderzee](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/andrejvanderzee)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 8:09am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/load-balancing/209820/7 "2011-07-24T08:09:00Z")
Hi, or use Linux IPVS which has a DR Mode. Regards, Sven Am 24.07.2011 03:35, schrieb Payam C.: