Which of the following devices would be MOST useful to ensure availability when there are a large number of
requests to a certain website?

A.
Protocol analyzer

B.
Load balancer

C.
VPN concentrator

D.
Web security gateway

Explanation:
Load balancing refers to shifting a load from one device to another. A load balancer can be implemented as a
software or hardware solution, and it is usually associated with a device—a router, a firewall, NAT appliance,
and so on. In its most common implementation, a load balancer splits the traffic intended for a website into
individual requests that are then rotated to redundant servers as they become available.
Incorrect Answers:
A: The terms protocol analyzing and packet sniffing are interchangeable. They refer to the process of
monitoring the data that is transmitted across a network.
C: A VPN concentrator is a hardware device used to create remote access VPNs. The concentrator creates
encrypted tunnel sessions between hosts, and many use two-factor authentication for additional security.
D: One of the newest buzzwords is web security gateway, which can be thought of as a proxy server
(performing proxy and caching functions) with web protection software built in. Depending on the vendor, the
“web protection” can range from a standard virus scanner on incoming packets to monitoring outgoing user
traffic for red flags as well.
Dulaney, Emmett and Chuck Eastton, CompTIA Security+ Study Guide, 6th Edition, Sybex, Indianapolis, 2014,
pp. 103, 104, 118