What is the purpose of Horizontal Scaling in IT infrastructure?

Horizontal scaling, also known as scale-out, refers to adding more machines or devices to a system rather than upgrading the existing hardware. The primary purpose of this approach is to manage increased loads by distributing the workload across multiple resources. When extra processing power or storage is needed, an organization can simply add more servers or nodes that can operate simultaneously, allowing for greater capacity without a complete overhaul of current infrastructure.

This method is particularly effective for applications that require high availability and can benefit from the redundancy that comes from having multiple resources working in parallel. By implementing horizontal scaling, organizations can ensure that their systems remain responsive and capable of handling spikes in demand, such as during peak usage times or unexpected traffic surges.