How does Akamai ensure high scalability for its services?

Akamai ensures high scalability for its services primarily by adding resources to meet demand. This approach allows the network to dynamically respond to traffic fluctuations and increased usage. When there is a surge in demand, such as during peak usage times or significant events, Akamai can quickly provision additional servers and resources across its distributed platform. This elasticity is crucial for maintaining performance and reliability, ensuring that user experiences remain optimal even under heavy loads.

This strategy of resource allocation also leverages the global presence of Akamai's infrastructure, enabling it to distribute the load efficiently and improve redundancy. As demand increases, Akamai is able to scale resources horizontally by deploying additional nodes, which enhances throughput and reduces latency for end-users.

The other approaches mentioned, such as limiting server access, reducing the number of applications, or maintaining a fixed server capacity, would not effectively support scalability. Limiting access or reducing applications could lead to bottlenecks or inadequate service during peak periods, while a fixed capacity does not allow for growth in response to varying demand levels. Thus, adding resources is the key strategy to achieving high scalability in Akamai's service delivery.