What is the primary function of Deep Packet Inspection (DPI)?

The primary function of Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) is to identify application type by examining packet contents. DPI goes beyond standard packet filtering by analyzing the data within packets, which allows for more granular inspection of network traffic. This capability enables network administrators to classify and manage applications based on their specific protocols and content, rather than just their headers.

This level of inspection can assist in enforcing policies, optimizing bandwidth usage, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. DPI helps in identifying the applications that are consuming the most resources or are involved in potentially malicious behavior, thereby providing better insight into network performance and security.

The other options presented serve different purposes that are not the primary focus of DPI. Monitoring bandwidth usage typically pertains to tools designed for traffic analysis rather than detailed inspection of packet contents. Encrypting traffic is a separate function related to securing data, and blocking unauthorized access pertains to firewall capabilities and security measures that differ from the packet inspection process. Thus, while these options relate to network management and security, they do not embody the core functionality of Deep Packet Inspection.