F5-CTS-LTM BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager Practice Question
A client is experiencing intermittent connection resets when accessing a virtual server. The LTM Specialist observes that the backend servers are occasionally overwhelmed during traffic spikes. Which feature should be implemented to mitigate this impact on the backend servers?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often mistakenly suggest increasing the number of backend servers or modifying the load balancing algorithm, failing to realize that limiting connections is the direct mechanism to prevent server overload.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable Connection Limits on the pool members.
Connection limits are the direct way to prevent backend servers from becoming overwhelmed. By setting a per-member connection limit, the BIG-IP will stop sending traffic to a server once it hits capacity, instead directing it to other available servers. This protects the backend from failure, ensuring the overall application remains available even when specific nodes are under extreme load conditions during traffic bursts.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Increase the idle timeout in the TCP profile.
Why it's wrong here
Adjusting the idle timeout affects how long a connection remains open while inactive. It does not limit the number of active connections. Increasing it might actually keep more connections open for longer, potentially worsening the resource exhaustion on already strained backend servers.
- ✓
Enable Connection Limits on the pool members.
Why this is correct
Setting connection limits ensures that a pool member will not be selected by the load balancing algorithm once its maximum concurrent connection threshold is reached. This is the standard method for managing server capacity and preventing service outages during high-demand events or traffic spikes.
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Configure a SNAT pool with more IP addresses.
Why it's wrong here
SNAT pools increase the number of available source ports for translation, which helps prevent source port exhaustion on the BIG-IP. However, it does not prevent the backend servers from being overwhelmed by too many simultaneous requests, which is the primary cause of the reported issue.
- ✗
Change the load balancing method to Least Connections.
Why it's wrong here
Least Connections is a smart algorithm that distributes traffic based on current load. While helpful in balancing, it does not act as a hard limit. If all servers are under heavy load, Least Connections will still send traffic to them, potentially crashing the entire pool.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every F5-CTS-LTM question from scratch — 119 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official F5 exam blueprint
This F5-CTS-LTM practice question is part of Courseiva's free F5 certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the F5-CTS-LTM exam.