What is the main purpose of a VLAN?

The main purpose of a VLAN, or Virtual Local Area Network, is to strategically isolate LANs on the same switch. This functionality allows network administrators to segment a physical network into multiple logical networks. By doing so, VLANs help organize devices based on factors such as department, function, or application type, regardless of their physical location within the network infrastructure.

This isolation achieves several benefits:

• It helps to minimize broadcast traffic, improving overall network performance.

• It enhances security since devices on one VLAN cannot directly communicate with devices on another VLAN without proper routing, thereby limiting unauthorized access to sensitive information.

• It allows for more efficient management of network resources since administrators can apply specific policies and access controls relevant to each VLAN.

While security is indeed enhanced by VLANs, which could be seen as an additional benefit, the primary function is focused on network organization and isolation. The other options related to expanding bandwidth capabilities and allowing faster data transfers are not directly tied to VLAN functionality, as VLANs primarily work with the same underlying bandwidth available on the switch or physical network.