Which upgrade path is most cost-effective to handle increasing SSL and web traffic without adding hardware?

Answer: B — License upgrade to MPX 5905

When you want to handle more SSL and web traffic without adding hardware, unlocking a higher capability on the existing appliance is the most economical path. Upgrading the license to MPX 5905 increases the device’s throughput tier, letting you process more TLS handshakes and SSL transactions on the same box without buying new hardware. This approach leverages your current investment, minimizes downtime, and generally costs far less than purchasing another appliance or moving to a different architectural model. Options that add hardware or change the architecture tend to raise costs: adding another MPX 5901 adds another physical device; moving to SDX introduces virtualization and a different deployment setup with its own licensing and management considerations; upgrading to MPX 8905 would require new hardware. Thus, licensing up to MPX 5905 is the most cost-effective way to scale SSL and web traffic today.