All web-based applications get benefits from having a Kemp LoadMaster load balancer managing access to the application servers. For use cases that are not in production, such as in DevOps workflows or even for a small non-commercial web application, having a load balancer is also useful. Either to simulate a production environment or just to have the intrinsic benefits that a load balancer like LoadMaster provides. Even if your organization is using Kemp Metered Licensing that allows an unlimited number of LoadMaster instances to be deployed without additional server license costs, it may be the case that you don’t want traffic to particular LoadMaster instances to be counted in the metered licensing total. Or if you don’t want to buy a separate LoadMaster license. In this sort of scenario, Kemp’s free LoadMaster is what you need.
Kemp LoadMaster Free Features
The free edition of Kemp LoadMaster is a fully functional load balancer that will operate for as long as you need it. It is not a 30 days trial that will force you to buy a license after a period of use. The full features available in Free LoadMaster are already listed on this page. Free LoadMaster can also be monitored using the commercial or free edition of Kemp 360.
Free LoadMaster can be installed directly from the Azure Marketplace or the AWS Marketplace. For completeness note that Free LoadMaster can also be downloaded for use on-premise or on other cloud services as a virtual machine image from here.
What Free LoadMaster Can’t Do
There are a few features that are available on the full commercial edition of LoadMaster that are not available on the Free LoadMaster. For the typical use cases of Free LoadMaster these differences should not have an impact. The differences are:
- Maximum throughput of 20 Mbps
- Maximum of 50 SSL/TLS key operations per second
- Only two configured FQDN’s
- High Availability (HA) failover is not supported
Free LoadMaster has to be able to communicate with the Kemp licensing server at least once every 30 days. If it can’t, it will stop operating. It should be noted that the Free LoadMaster can be upgraded in situ to the commercial edition with a license purchase.
Conclusion
Free LoadMaster is an ideal solution for many workloads in development, support, and even for small non-commercial web applications. It is also a perfect solution for proof of concepts and training on how to configure and deploy load balancing. Whether it is in the public cloud on Azure or AWS, or on private infrastructure via a virtual machine, Free LoadMaster is an excellent choice. Grab a copy today.