[ubuntu-cloud] A Basic Eucalyptus Network

[Chase Adams]

Hello,
I'm new to enterprise level networks, and I'm helping my workplace (a 
very small company) buy new server equipment. We don't really need a 
cloud or any system larger than a single server, but some people in the 
company want something fancy so we look good to potential clients (we 
sell a web-based service to the government).

So, my question is in order to run -- say --- three eucalyptus nodes on 
a subnet in STATIC mode, what would be the minimum hardware required? In 
my personal readings, it seems like I'd need the three nodes, the 
command server, a load balancer, router, and switch. Is that right?

If that's right, the part I've never touched is the HTTP load balancer. 
How does an HTTP request end up getting tossed around through a 
eucalyptus system? When the VMs boot up, claim a physical network 
interface, and get assigned an IP, how does the load balancer know? -- 
I'm aware that in STATIC mode letting the load balancer "know" isn't 
necessary, but it seems strange with DHCP or having multiple eucalyptus 
users. It makes me believe I'm missing some feature eucalyptus has. -- 
Does the eucalyptus control server forward HTTP requests or something?

Thanks,
Chase Adams