Definition
Traffic management refers to the strategic control and optimization of data flow within a network or system. It involves directing, prioritizing, and shaping network traffic to ensure efficient resource utilization, maintain performance levels, and meet application demands. This is achieved through various techniques like load balancing, quality of service (QoS) policies, and traffic shaping. Effective traffic management is crucial for preventing network congestion, minimizing latency, and ensuring a reliable user experience. For instance, a Content Delivery Network (CDN) uses traffic management to route users to the geographically closest server, reducing load times. It differs from simple network monitoring by actively influencing traffic patterns rather than just observing them. Understanding traffic management is vital for roles covered in CompTIA Network+ and AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate exams.