Description: The Network Load Balancer (NLB) is a type of load balancer that operates at the transport layer (Layer 4) of the OSI model. Its primary function is to distribute incoming network traffic across multiple backend instances, ensuring that none of them become overloaded and that the overall system performance remains optimal. Unlike other load balancers that operate at higher layers, the NLB can handle millions of requests per second, making it an ideal choice for applications that require high availability and low latency. Additionally, the NLB can manage both TCP and UDP traffic, allowing it to be used in a variety of applications, from web services to online gaming and other networked applications. Its ability to scale automatically and its integration with other cloud services and technologies for event logging and traffic management make it a powerful tool in modern cloud application architecture. In summary, the NLB is essential for ensuring that distributed applications operate efficiently and reliably, adapting to the changing demands of network traffic.
