What is the difference between server clusters and load balancing

1. Cluster (Cluster): A group of independent computer systems that form a loosely coupled multiprocessor system that communicates between processes through the network. Applications can communicate over a network of shared memory to implement distributed computers.

2. Load balancing (Load Balance): Start with the cluster, the cluster is a group of connected computers, from the outside to see it is a system, each node can be different operating systems or different hardware components of the computer. A cluster that provides Web services is a large Web server for the outside world. However, cluster nodes can also provide services separately.

3. Features: On top of the existing network structure atch, load Balancing provides a cheap and efficient way to extend server bandwidth and increase throughput, enhance network data processing capabilities, and improve network flexibility and usability. Cluster System (Cluster) mainly solves the following problems: High reliability (HA): The use of cluster management software, when the primary server failure, the backup server can automatically take over the work of the main server, and timely switch to the past to achieve uninterrupted service to users. High-performance Computing (HP): The use of the resources of each computer in the cluster to achieve parallel processing of complex operations, often used in the field of scientific computing, such as genetic analysis, chemical analysis and so on. Load balancing: A reasonable allocation of load pressure to each computer in the cluster based on an algorithm to reduce the pressure on the primary server and reduce the hardware and software requirements for the primary server.