Classic Load Balancing vs Network Load Balancer

Developers should learn Classic Load Balancing when working with legacy AWS environments or applications that rely on its specific features, such as TCP/SSL load balancing or integration with EC2-Classic networks meets developers should use a network load balancer when building applications that require extreme performance, such as gaming servers, iot applications, or real-time streaming services, due to its ability to handle volatile traffic patterns with minimal latency. Here's our take.

Classic Load Balancing

Nice Pick

Developers should learn Classic Load Balancing when working with legacy AWS environments or applications that rely on its specific features, such as TCP/SSL load balancing or integration with EC2-Classic networks

Pros

• It is useful for scenarios where minimal configuration and cost-effectiveness are priorities, but it lacks the advanced capabilities of newer services like Application Load Balancer (ALB) or Network Load Balancer (NLB)
• Related to: aws-application-load-balancer, aws-network-load-balancer

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Network Load Balancer

Developers should use a Network Load Balancer when building applications that require extreme performance, such as gaming servers, IoT applications, or real-time streaming services, due to its ability to handle volatile traffic patterns with minimal latency

Pros

• It is also ideal for scenarios where preserving the source IP address of clients is crucial, like for security logging or geolocation, and for protocols that don't require content-based routing, such as TCP-based databases or custom protocols
• Related to: application-load-balancer, elastic-load-balancing

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Classic Load Balancing if: You want it is useful for scenarios where minimal configuration and cost-effectiveness are priorities, but it lacks the advanced capabilities of newer services like application load balancer (alb) or network load balancer (nlb) and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Network Load Balancer if: You prioritize it is also ideal for scenarios where preserving the source ip address of clients is crucial, like for security logging or geolocation, and for protocols that don't require content-based routing, such as tcp-based databases or custom protocols over what Classic Load Balancing offers.

The Bottom Line

Classic Load Balancing wins

Developers should learn Classic Load Balancing when working with legacy AWS environments or applications that rely on its specific features, such as TCP/SSL load balancing or integration with EC2-Classic networks