aws AWS What's New ·

AWS NLB adds listener rules for IP-based traffic routing

networkingawsengineer
feature

AWS Network Load Balancer now supports listener rules for custom traffic routing, enabling connections to be directed to different target groups based on source IP address type. This feature allows dual-stack NLBs to send IPv6 client traffic to IPv6 targets and IPv4 traffic to IPv4 targets, preserving the original client IP address end-to-end. This eliminates the need for separate dual-stack load balancers or protocol translation, simplifying infrastructure and improving client IP preservation for TCP, UDP, TCP_UDP, and TLS listeners. The feature is available in all AWS commercial and GovCloud Regions at no additional charge.

  • NLB listener rules support routing based on source IP address type
  • Eliminate tradeoffs for dual-stack NLB client traffic
  • Add listener rules to existing dual-stack NLBs
  • Availability and pricing for NLB listener rules
Features (1)
  • NLB listener rules support routing based on source IP address type

    Network Load Balancer now supports listener rules that allow routing connections to different target groups based on the source IP address type. This enables a single dual-stack NLB to send IPv6 client traffic to IPv6 targets and IPv4 client traffic to IPv4 targets, preserving the original client IP address end-to-end for both families.

Enhancements (2)
  • Eliminate tradeoffs for dual-stack NLB client traffic

    Listener rules remove the previous tradeoff of either running separate dual-stack load balancers or losing original client IP through protocol translation. Connections are now directed to same-family target groups with no translation and no additional infrastructure.

  • Add listener rules to existing dual-stack NLBs

    Listener rules can be added to existing dual-stack NLBs without requiring them to be recreated. Rules are supported on TCP, UDP, TCP_UDP, and TLS listeners and integrate with existing NLB features.

Notes (1)
  • Availability and pricing for NLB listener rules

    Listener rules for Network Load Balancer are available in all AWS commercial Regions and AWS GovCloud (US) Regions at no additional charge. Standard NLB pricing for load balancer hours and LCUs applies.

Read the original announcement →

https://aws.amazon.com/about-aws/whats-new/2026/07/aws-network-load-balancer-supports-listener-rules/

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