---
title: Official nftlb project page
description: "## What is the `nftlb` project? The **nftlb** (**Netfilter Load Balancer**) project is an open-source **Network Load Balancer**, Linux-based software load balancer that utilizes the **Netfilter framework** and the **nftables subsystem** for high-performance Layer 4 load balancing. It is designed…"
url: "https://www.relianoid.com/resources/knowledge-base/nftlb/official-nftlb-project-page/"
updated: "2025-01-15"
category: Community Edition / nftlb
---

# Official nftlb project page

## What is the `nftlb` project?

The **nftlb** (**Netfilter Load Balancer**) project is an open-source **Network Load Balancer**, Linux-based software load balancer that utilizes the **Netfilter framework** and the **nftables subsystem** for high-performance Layer 4 load balancing. It is designed to provide efficient traffic distribution and scalability for applications while taking full advantage of the Linux kernel's networking capabilities.

## Key Features of `nftlb`

1. **High Performance**: Built directly on nftables, which is optimized for packet filtering and network address translation (NAT) in the Linux kernel. Achieves significant packet processing throughput with low latency.
 2. **Layer 4 Load Balancing**: Operates at the transport layer (TCP/UDP), allowing it to distribute traffic efficiently based on various algorithms such as round-robin, least connections, or hash-based methods.
 3. **Dynamic Configuration**: Allows dynamic configuration of load-balancing rules without restarting the service. Administrators can manage and modify rules using the nftables command-line interface or APIs.
 4. **Open Standards and Lightweight**: Fully open source and integrates natively with Linux, avoiding the need for additional kernel modules. Leverages existing Netfilter and nftables infrastructure, making it resource-efficient.
 5. **Integration with Netfilter Ecosystem**: Since it uses nftables, it seamlessly integrates with other Netfilter-based tools like firewalls and packet filtering mechanisms.
 6. **IPv4 and IPv6 Support**: Fully compatible with both IPv4 and IPv6, ensuring it can handle modern networking environments.

## Typical Use Cases

- High-performance Layer 4 load balancer for web servers, databases, or other services requiring distributed traffic management.
- Replacement for legacy iptables-based load balancers.
- Lightweight load balancing solution for Linux environments where kernel-level performance is critical.

## `nftlb` User Resources

### `nftlb` source code official repository

Official source code git repository can be found at: [https://github.com/relianoid/nftlb](https://github.com/relianoid/nftlb)

### `nftlb` support user list

Official community support at [http://netfilter.org/mailinglists.html#ml-user](http://netfilter.org/mailinglists.html#ml-user) or [https://www.relianoid.com/resources/community-support](https://www.relianoid.com/resources/community-support)

### `nftlb` installation packages

Installation packages can be found at [https://repology.org/project/nftlb/versions](https://repology.org/project/nftlb/versions)

`nftlb` is available in the following distros:

- Alpine Linux Edge
- Alpine Linux 3.21
- Alpine Linux 3.19
- Debian 13
- Debian 12
- Debian 11
- Debian 10
- Debian Unstable
- Devuan 4.0
- Devuan 3.0
- Devuan Unstable
- Gentoo
- Kali Linux Rolling
- LiGurOS stable
- LiGurOS develop
- openSUSE Leap 15.5
- openSUSE Leap 15.6
- openSUSE Tumbleweed
- Pardus 21
- Parrot
- PureOS amber
- PureOS byzantium
- PureOS landing
- Raspbian Oldstable
- Raspbian Stable
- Raspbian Testing
- Trisquel 10.0
- Trisquel 11.0
- Ubuntu 20.04
- Ubuntu 22.04
- Ubuntu 24.04
- Ubuntu 24.10
- Ubuntu 25.04

## `nftlb` Licensing Terms

The nftlb project is released under the **GNU Affero General Public License Version 3**.

## Other `nftlb` Documentation Resources

[What is nftlb?](https://www.relianoid.com/resources/knowledge-base/nftlb/what-is-nftlb/)
 [nftlb benchmarks and performance keys](https://www.relianoid.com/resources/knowledge-base/nftlb/nftlb-benchmarks-and-performance-keys/)
 [nftlb changelog](https://www.relianoid.com/resources/knowledge-base/nftlb/nftlb-changelog/)
 [nftlb developers guide](https://www.relianoid.com/resources/knowledge-base/nftlb/nftlb-developers-guide/)

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