What is the impact of managing throttles with overlapping IP address ranges?

The impact of managing throttles with overlapping IP address ranges is critical to understanding how resource allocation is prioritized in a network. When two or more throttles cover the same IP address ranges, the one with the smallest IP address range takes precedence. This is due to the principle of specificity in networking rules: more specific rules are applied over more general ones.

In a scenario where throttles are set for specific activities such as bandwidth usage, if an endpoint falls within overlapping address ranges, the throttle with the smallest range is most likely designed to apply tighter controls on usage for that specific group of IP addresses. Thus, this small range effectively narrows down the focus and ensures that the intended resource management is enforced where it is needed most, minimizing potential impact on other endpoints outside of that specific range.

This prioritization mechanism allows administrators to fine-tune their policies and provide targeted management to specific groups of devices or endpoints, ensuring that resources are utilized efficiently while still maintaining control over network performance.