A LoadMaster can be deployed in transparent or non-transparent mode. Transparent mode provides detailed client IP address information in the logs but it requires more configuration than non-transparent mode. Non-transparent mode requires no changes on the Moodle servers, but the Moodle logs will show all traffic as coming from the LoadMaster. The table below outlines some differences between transparent and non-transparent mode.

Transparent Non-Transparent

The Moodle server sees the client IP address as the source of a HTTP request.

The Moodle server sees all requests as coming from the LoadMaster.

The Moodle server must route all responses to the client IP address using the LoadMaster. This requires a routing change on the Moodle Server to either:

  • Set the default route (gateway) to be the LoadMaster, or;
  • Create static routes for each client subnet

In practice, setting the default route to be the LoadMaster is the easiest option.

The Moodle server replies directly back to the LoadMaster without any routing changes.

The Moodle logs contain the source IP address of the client.

The Moodle logs show all traffic as coming from the LoadMaster.

Transparency can be enabled/disabled in the Standard Options section of the Virtual Service modify screen.