Load Balancer vs Application Gateway decision in Azure - Quick Revision & Key Differences

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the primary function of an Azure Load Balancer?

Azure Load Balancer distributes incoming network traffic evenly across multiple backend resources at the transport layer (Layer 4), helping to ensure high availability and reliability.

intermediate

What additional features does Azure Application Gateway provide over a Load Balancer?

Azure Application Gateway operates at the application layer (Layer 7) and offers features like SSL termination, cookie-based session affinity, URL-based routing, and Web Application Firewall (WAF) capabilities.

beginner

When should you choose Azure Load Balancer over Application Gateway?

Choose Azure Load Balancer when you need fast, simple, and high-throughput load balancing for TCP/UDP traffic without the need for advanced routing or security features.

intermediate

What is a key use case for Azure Application Gateway?

Use Azure Application Gateway when you need advanced HTTP/HTTPS routing, SSL offloading, or protection against web vulnerabilities using the Web Application Firewall.

advanced

How does Azure Application Gateway support session affinity?

Azure Application Gateway supports cookie-based session affinity, which directs user requests to the same backend server during a session to maintain stateful interactions.

Which Azure service operates at Layer 4 and balances TCP/UDP traffic?

A Azure Load Balancer

B Azure Application Gateway

C Azure Traffic Manager

D Azure Front Door

Azure Load Balancer works at Layer 4, handling TCP and UDP traffic, while Application Gateway works at Layer 7.

Which feature is exclusive to Azure Application Gateway and not available in Azure Load Balancer?

A UDP load balancing

B TCP load balancing

C High availability

D SSL termination

SSL termination is an application layer feature provided by Application Gateway, not by Load Balancer.

For simple, high-throughput load balancing of non-HTTP traffic, which Azure service is best?

A Azure Application Gateway

B Azure CDN

C Azure Load Balancer

D Azure API Management

Azure Load Balancer is optimized for high-throughput TCP/UDP traffic without advanced HTTP features.

Which Azure service provides Web Application Firewall (WAF) capabilities?

A Azure Application Gateway

B Azure Load Balancer

C Azure Traffic Manager

D Azure VPN Gateway

Azure Application Gateway includes WAF to protect web applications from common threats.

What type of routing can Azure Application Gateway perform that Azure Load Balancer cannot?

A Round-robin TCP load balancing

B URL-based routing

C UDP packet forwarding

D Static IP assignment

URL-based routing is an application layer feature unique to Application Gateway.

Explain the main differences between Azure Load Balancer and Azure Application Gateway and when to use each.

Think about the network layers and features each service offers.

Describe a scenario where Azure Application Gateway is the better choice over Azure Load Balancer.

Focus on web application security and routing needs.