Weblogic server to server loadbalancing for Http requests

Question

Hi
we have a domain consisting of 3 clusters (weblogic 9.2 mp3)
FE--> has a monolithic app using both JSPs ejb
JMS--> Provides Messgaing services to FE and hosts dsitributed JMS destinations
security --> provides security services to FE (This is a new cluster we are adding to the existing domain)
Our clients interact with FE through a h/w load balancer and IIS hosting IIS plugin.
FE interacts with JMS using comma sperated url list
Now , new requirement is for The FE cluster to send http requests to the security cluster
How do I load balance these requests and have failover in case one node in the security cluster goes down?
Traditionally these methods are used for client to server load balancing but our use case is different so I am wondering how to accomplish this.
Options I came up with are
using a HttpCluster servlet (but you hav eto run a separate weblogic instance just for that)
using another h/w load balancer in front of this security cluster
I am trying to see if there are any other options to accomplish this .Also trying to understand pros and cons and which of this is reccomended for Production environments
Appreciate any comments/feedback on this
Thanks
Best

Answer 1

Using HTTPClusterServlet is not recommeded to be used in Prod.
To load balance the request going to the security cluster, you can simply use a webserver infornt of the cluster.
Failover is taken care of by the Cluster itself so you dont have to worry about that....