What is the maximum impact of the connection limit setting in a DPI-SSL configuration?

In a DPI-SSL (Deep Packet Inspection - Secure Sockets Layer) configuration, the connection limit setting plays a critical role in managing how many secure connections can be actively handled by the firewall. The primary function of setting a connection limit is to ensure that the firewall operates efficiently without overwhelming its resources. By exceeding this limit, the firewall can take specific actions to maintain performance.

When the connection limit is reached, bypassing decryption for new connections occurs as a response. This means that while existing sessions remain active and can continue to be monitored and decrypted as per the configured policies, any new connections that come in will not undergo the decryption process. This allows the firewall to manage resource allocation effectively and maintain performance levels, thus ensuring that legitimate traffic can flow without disruption.

Understanding this mechanism is crucial for administrators to configure the firewall effectively and manage traffic without compromising security or performance. This bypass action acts as a safeguard against resource exhaustion while still maintaining visibility over established connections.