What does load testing in network management help determine?

Load testing in network management is an essential practice that specifically helps determine how a network performs under heavy traffic conditions. This kind of testing is crucial because it simulates real-world usage scenarios where many users or devices are accessing the network simultaneously. By monitoring network behavior during these simulated peak loads, network administrators can identify potential issues such as bottlenecks, latency, and failures in service delivery.

Understanding a network's performance under high-load conditions is vital for ensuring reliability, planning capacity, and optimizing resource allocation. This data also informs the design and implementation of scalable solutions that can accommodate growth in user demands without compromising performance.

The other options focus on aspects that are not directly related to load testing. While speed, the number of devices, and cost efficiency are important elements of network management, they do not specifically evaluate how the network manages heavy user demands, which is the primary focus of load testing.