What is load testing in network management?

Load testing in network management is primarily about evaluating how a network can handle simulated user load. This process is crucial for identifying the limits of a network's capacity, ensuring it can support the anticipated number of users, devices, and applications without degradation in performance.

By simulating various scenarios—such as peak usage times or different traffic patterns—load testing provides insights into how the network responds under stress. This information can help network administrators identify potential bottlenecks, assess the effectiveness of network resources, and make informed decisions about upgrades or optimizations necessary to support future growth.

The other choices describe concepts that do not accurately represent the purpose of load testing. Increasing network speed pertains more to optimization techniques than to load testing. Recovering lost data focuses on data backup and recovery processes, while reducing network costs involves financial management strategies rather than performance assessments like load testing. Together, these distinctions clarify why the correct answer emphasizes evaluating network performance under simulated loads.