Google Cloud Digital Leader Practice Exam

Which concept involves the strategy to increase capacity as demand rises in a cloud environment?

1. Vertical scaling

2. Horizontal scaling

3. Load balancing

4. Auto-scaling

The correct answer is: Auto-scaling

Auto-scaling is the concept that involves automatically adjusting the amount of computational resources in response to fluctuating demand in a cloud environment. This strategy is particularly beneficial in cloud computing, where workloads can be unpredictable. By using auto-scaling, resources can be dynamically increased or decreased based on real-time metrics, such as CPU usage, memory usage, or request counts. This capability allows applications to maintain performance during periods of increased demand without manual intervention, ensuring that users experience minimal downtime and optimal performance. Additionally, it helps manage costs, as resources are only utilized when needed and can be scaled down during lower demand periods, providing an efficient use of cloud resources. When compared to other options, while vertical scaling and horizontal scaling are methods for increasing capacity, they do not inherently provide the automated response to demand changes that auto-scaling facilitates. Load balancing helps distribute traffic across multiple resources but does not directly relate to the strategy of adjusting capacity based on demand. Thus, auto-scaling stands out as a comprehensive solution tailored for dynamic environments in cloud computing.