Server load-balancing operation-related data, such as data associated with
a system configured for global server load balancing (GSLB) that orders
IP addresses into a list based on a set of performance metrics, is
tracked. Such operation-related data includes inbound source IP addresses
(e.g., the address of the originator of a DNS request), the requested
host and zone, identification of the selected "best" IP addresses
resulting from application of a GSLB algorithm, and the selection metric
used to decide on an IP address as the "best" one. The data includes a
count of the selected "best" IP addresses selected via application of the
GSLB algorithm, and for each of these IP addresses, the list of deciding
performance metrics, along with a count of the number of times each of
these metrics in the list was used as a deciding factor in selection of
this IP address as the best one. This tracking feature allows better
understanding of GSLB policy decisions (such as those associated with
performance, maintenance, and troubleshooting) and intelligent deployment
of large-scale resilient GSLB networks. The counters can be cleared as
needed and without having to reload the system.