Answer :
To filter requests raised in computer networks and improve the network's performance, the best choice among the given options is the Web Proxy Server.
Web Proxy Server:
A web proxy server acts as an intermediary between a user's device and the internet. It filters requests, helping to enhance network performance in several ways:
Caching: Web proxy servers store copies of frequently accessed web pages. When a user requests one of these pages, the proxy can deliver it from its cache, reducing the need for repeated data retrieval from external servers. This saves bandwidth and speeds up the response time.
Filtering: Proxies can filter traffic by blocking access to specific websites or filtering content according to policies set by network administrators. This can also help prevent access to malicious sites, thereby improving security.
Load Balancing: By distributing network traffic evenly across several servers, a proxy can prevent any one server from becoming overloaded, thus improving overall network performance.
Anonymity and Privacy: Proxy servers can hide a user's IP address, adding a layer of privacy and security.
In contrast, the other server options provided each serve different primary functions:
File Server: Designed to store and manage files for network users, not specifically for filtering.
Application Server: Provides business logic to application programs through various protocols, rather than directly filtering network traffic.
FTP Server: Hosts files and facilitates their transfer over the internet using File Transfer Protocol, not primarily used for request filtering.
Thus, a web proxy server is specifically suited to filter requests and improve network performance efficiently.