Which platform deployment strategy allows traffic splitting for a containerized web application?

The platform deployment strategy that allows traffic splitting for a containerized web application is the option that involves deploying a canary release to Google Kubernetes Engine with Anthos Service Mesh. This approach is particularly effective because Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) supports advanced traffic management and routing capabilities through its integration with Anthos Service Mesh, which is built on Istio.

With this setup, you can direct a portion of the incoming requests to the new version of your application (the canary) while the rest of the traffic continues to be served by the stable version. This gradual rollout enables teams to monitor the performance and reliability of the new version in real-time and make data-driven decisions about whether to fully promote it or roll it back if issues arise.

Moreover, traffic splitting is a crucial feature for canary releases as it mitigates risks associated with deployment. By allowing for testing in production with a reduced audience, potential issues can be caught early without impacting all users. This approach contrasts with the other options, which either lack the sophisticated traffic management necessary for splitting or describe less flexible deployment methods.