What is the main purpose of load balancing in networks?

The main purpose of load balancing in networks is to distribute network traffic evenly across multiple servers. This technique enhances the availability and reliability of applications by ensuring that no single server is overwhelmed with too much traffic, which can lead to performance issues or server crashes.

By spreading the load, load balancing allows for more efficient resource use, faster response times, and improved overall user experience. When network traffic is balanced correctly, it also provides redundancy; if one server goes down, users can be quickly directed to other servers without any significant service interruption. Overall, load balancing is a critical component in managing high traffic and ensuring consistent performance in distributed network environments.