1. Incoming request intercepted by LoadMaster
  2. Routed to Server 1
  3. Response from Server 1
  4. Response goes directly to Client without LoadMaster

This feature should be implemented only if the Real Servers need to respond to the clients directly, without going through the LoadMaster. In this configuration the Real Servers must have a path to the clients without going through the LoadMaster, for example an additional router in parallel with the LoadMaster.

Note: The only persistence option supported in a DSR configuration is Source IP. No Layer 7/Application features can be used with DSR. Also, DSR may be used only in a 1-arm configuration due to routing issues caused on the Real Server with the loopback interface in a 2-arm solution.

DSR uses a combination of MAT (MAC Address Translation) and a modified Real Server configuration. The RS is configured with an IP address as normal but it is also given the IP address of the VIP. Normally you cannot have two machines on a network with the same IP address. To get around this, the VIP address on a Real Servers must be configured so that the server does not respond to ARP requests on the VIP address.

For further information on how to configure Real Servers (both Linux and Windows) please refer to the Configuring Real Servers for DSR, Technical Note document.