Definicja Web switch

A host that serves as the entry point for requests from the Web and forwards the requests to a Web server for processing.

A Web server can process only a limited number of requests at any one time. To ensure that even busy websites can process all requests without any major delays, the Web content can be spread over a number of servers, and load balancing functions can forward the data traffic in the most efficient way possible to the various servers. Load balancing is one of the essential tasks of a Web switch.

Web switches examine TCP/IP data within the HTTP header, and use layer 7 information, such as URL or cookie information, to distribute the load as efficiently as possible. Web switches also ensure the necessary level of persistence on connections being used for shopping basket transactions.