Specifications

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Cisco DistributedDirector
Chapter 6 Content Networking
Cisco DistributedDirector
1
DistributedDirector provides dynamic, transparent, and scalable Internet traffic load
distribution between multiple geographically-dispersed servers. DistributedDirector is a
global Internet service-scaling solution that utilizes Cisco IOS software and leverages
routing table information, delay characteristics, and other information to make “network
intelligent” load distribution and site selection decisions.
DistributedDirector transparently redirects end-user service requests to the closest
responsive server, which increases access performance and reduces transmission costs.
Users need only a single subdomain name or URL-embedded hostname for accessing a
distributed set of servers, thus providing the appearance of a single virtual server.
When to Sell
Key Features
• Transparent distribution of all IP Services (TCP and UDP), including HTTP, FTP,
Telnet, and Gopher; provides global scalability for all IP-based network services
• Improves access performance by redirecting to the topologically closest server
• Calculates client-to-server round-trip times in real time; redirects clients to server with
lowest client-to-server link latency, maximizing end-to-end performance
• Redirects clients only to responsive servers, resulting in maximized availability
• Cisco IOS Software & standard command line interface for device configuration
• Transparently add and remove distributed servers, simplifying maintenance
• Supports multiple domains; cost-effective IP service scalability solution
Competitive Products
For More Information
See the DistributedDirector Web site at http://www.cisco.com/go/dd
1. DistributedDirector is available in Cisco IOS software for 2600/2600XM, 3600, and 7200 series routers,
starting on release 12.2(4)T Enterprise Plus feature sets; Dedicated routers may be recommended for
DistributedDirector to meet performance targets of both routing and load balancing; If no dedicated
hardware platform is available for running DistributedDirector, it is recommended customers use the
Configurable DD Cache feature (available in 12.2(8)T) to limit the memory DistributedDirector may
consume for DNS caching; To take advantage of enhanced caching capabilities, routers should be
configured with additional DRAM (128MB or more)
Sell This Product When a Customer Needs These Features
Cisco Distributed Director
• Load distribution across geographically/topologically dispersed TCP/IP servers
• High availability for dispersed mission-critical applications
• Data center redundancy and failover
• Alteon Networks: ACEdirector and Web Switches with WebOS GLSB
• F5 Labs: 3DNS
• Foundry Networks: ServerIron Switch with Internet IronWare
• Resonate, Inc.: Global Dispatch
• RND Networks, Inc.: Web Server Director - Network Proximity
(WSD-NP)