Multi-homing is when a host computer uses different IP addresses to connect to various networks, allowing it to function as an IP router. It uses SCTP to support connectivity to multiple addresses, improving stability and protecting against network failures. Multi-homing benefits web management by distributing load balancing, reducing downtime, and providing redundancy in the event of disasters. It is often used in critical situations such as disaster recovery initiatives for financial institutions.
Multi-homing is a situation that describes a single host computer using different IP addresses associated with various connected networks. Within this scenario, the multihomed computer host is physically connected to a variety of ports or data connections. These connections or ports can all be associated with the same network or with a variety of different networks. Depending on the exact configuration, multi-homing can allow a host computer to function as an IP router.
The multi-homing process makes use of what is known as the Stream Control Transmission Protocol or SCTP. Essentially, the process involves using multi-homing using a single SCTP endpoint to support connectivity to more than one IP address. By establishing a connection to multiple addresses, multi-homing can help improve the overall stability of the connectivity associated with the host.
One of the benefits of multi-homing is that the host computer is somewhat protected from the occurrence of a network failure. With systems that use a single IP address and connection, failure of the connected network means that the connection drops, rendering the final system ineffective in regards to internet connectivity. With multi-homing, failure of a single network only closes a single open port. All other ports, or IP addresses associated with other networks, remain up and running.
In general, multi-homing is good for three elements of effective web management. First, multi-homing can help distribute load balancing of data transmissions received and sent by the computer host. Second, the redundancy inherent in multi-homing results in a lower incidence of downtime due to network failures. Finally, multi-homing provides an additional tool to keep network connectivity alive in the event of natural disasters or other events that would normally render a host inoperative for an extended period of time.
Multi-homing is often employed in situations where Internet access is critical to running a business. For example, multi-homing will be included as part of the disaster recovery initiatives that many financial institutions have in place. By creating network redundancy, it is possible for banks, brokers and investment firms to remain accessible to clients even when some type of unforeseen event has crippled the primary network interface.
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