CompTIA Cloud+ Practice Test

Which term is used for the maximum load a system can handle effectively?

1. Threshold

2. Capacity

3. Utilization

4. Throughput

The correct answer is: Capacity

The term that refers to the maximum load a system can handle effectively is "Capacity." In the context of cloud computing and systems in general, capacity represents the upper limit of resources, performance, or workload that a system can manage without degrading its performance or resulting in failure. It involves consideration of various factors, including hardware and software capabilities, network bandwidth, and availability of storage. Understanding capacity is crucial for planning and ensuring that the system can meet users' demands without overloading any component. Proper capacity management helps avoid potential bottlenecks and ensures that the performance remains stable as the load increases. In this context, while other terms like threshold, utilization, and throughput have their specific meanings, they do not accurately capture the notion of a system's maximum effective load. For example, threshold typically refers to a point or limit that, when reached, might trigger a response or alert. Utilization describes the actual use of system resources relative to capacity, and throughput measures the amount of data processed by the system over a certain period. These definitions highlight why "Capacity" is the most appropriate term for the question posed.