Load balancing web services

[#1]

Our architecture has 4 app servers and a central instance. Just recently, we enabled web services. The WISDL points to a specific server depending on which server you access the WISDL.

What is the recommended approach to load balance accross the servers? Set up a load balancer switch outside of SAP or can the J2EE handle internally? Should the WISDL point to the central instance? etc.

I am having trouble finding discussions or documentation on this subject.

I will reward points. Thanks!!!1

[Former Member]

So it Netweaver architecture doesn't make this easier than using a third party load balancing solution.

[Former Member]

Hi Stephen,

This is not entirely accurate. The SAP Web Dispatcher integrates natively into the SAP landscape. This means that it gets its load balancing information from the dispatcher of the respective system, using SAP load balancing algothrims. With 3rd party load balancers, this is not the case. Also, the SAP Web Dispatcher is a standard part of a customer's contract, meaning there is no extra charge.

The SAP Web Dispatcher may also work with 3rd party load balancers if necessary.

Also announced at Sapphire is a partnership with Cisco to put the SAP Web Dispatcher directly on Cisco hardware, giving it the performance advantage of hardware load balancers. This solution is currently in pilot stages.

Regards,

Matt