What is the impact of a heavy load on an ArcGIS Server?

When ArcGIS Server experiences a heavy load, it often leads to a situation where the server is tasked with handling more requests than it can efficiently manage. This typically results in decreased performance and slower response times for users accessing GIS services. The server's resources, such as CPU, memory, and network bandwidth, become stretched, which can cause delays in data processing and result in timeouts or failures in service delivery.

Furthermore, under heavy load conditions, the server may struggle to deliver timely responses due to resource contention, meaning multiple requests may compete for the same server capabilities, leading to delays. Load balancing or scaling can help mitigate these issues; however, without appropriate measures, a heavy load directly correlates with a decline in overall responsiveness and performance.