Which feature enables backend responses to bypass the NetScaler while client requests still pass through?

• A. Policy-based Routing
• B. Use Source IP (USIP) address
• C. Direct Server Return (DSR)
• D. Smart Access

Answer: (C)

Direct Server Return lets the backend servers reply directly to the client, while the client’s requests still pass through the NetScaler.

With this setup, the NetScaler handles the inbound traffic and selects a real server to handle the request, but the response from that server goes straight to the client on the network—bypassing the NetScaler entirely. This reduces the outbound load on the NetScaler and can lower latency, since the return path doesn’t have to traverse the device.

For this to work, the servers must have a direct path back to the client and be able to send packets addressed to the client’s IP without routing the response through the NetScaler. In contrast, the other options don’t establish this direct return path: policy-based routing directs traffic based on policies, but doesn’t bypass the NetScaler for responses; Use Source IP preserves the client’s IP in certain flows but doesn’t change the actual return path; Smart Access relates to policy and access control, not bypassing the NetScaler for responses.