Loadbalancing network traffic across multiple remote inspection devices

摘要

Methods of balancing network packet traffic among multiple checking functionalities (CFs) are described. A network has at least one client operatively connected to at least one source switch and multiple available CFs operatively connected to at least one destination switch. Each available CF has predetermined, but possibly different inspection capabilities. A source switch receiving packets from a client inspects each packet and can optionally choose an available CF having at least the minimum necessary inspection capabilities to inspect the particular packet, and tunnel the packet to the chosen CF.