What is the primary goal of scalability in network services?

The primary goal of scalability in network services is to allow for flexible resource allocation based on needs. Scalability refers to the ability of a network to handle growing amounts of work or its potential to accommodate growth by adding resources efficiently. This can be achieved either by scaling up (adding more power to existing resources) or scaling out (adding more nodes to the network).

When a network is designed with scalability in mind, it can adjust to increasing user demands or workloads without a significant drop in performance or requiring a complete overhaul of its structure. This flexibility ensures that as the number of users or the volume of data increases, the network can effectively allocate resources to maintain performance and reliability.

In contrast, options like maintaining a standard number of users, reducing operational costs, or limiting network performance do not align with the fundamental purpose of scalability, which is to adapt and grow in response to dynamic demands in a network environment.