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.