Which inspection mode examines traffic as a whole before determining an action?

The inspection mode that examines traffic as a whole before determining an action is known as "Deep Packet Inspection" (DPI). DPI inspects the entirety of the data packets passing through a network, analyzing the header and content for various characteristics and patterns. This comprehensive examination allows the system to make informed decisions about how to handle the traffic, whether to allow, block, or prioritize it based on predefined rules or policies.

DPI is often used in security applications, network management, and bandwidth control, enabling more effective monitoring and management of network traffic. Unlike simpler inspection methods that may only look at headers or specific fields, DPI provides a detailed view that enhances the capability to identify malicious activities, enforce policies, and optimize network performance.