What is the purpose of a subnet?

The purpose of a subnet is to enhance performance and security by logically segmenting a network. By dividing a larger network into smaller, manageable sub-networks, you can reduce broadcast traffic, which improves overall network efficiency. This segmentation helps isolate network segments, allowing for better security measures, as access can be controlled more precisely.

For example, separating a network into different subnets for departments within an organization can limit access to sensitive information, ensuring that only authorized personnel have connectivity to certain resources. Additionally, logical segmentation can help with easier network management and troubleshooting, as each subnet can be monitored independently.

While redundancy, speed, and static IP address allocation are important network concepts, they do not directly address the primary purpose of subnetting. Redundancy focuses more on ensuring continued service, speed relates to the data transmission rates, and static IP addressing involves assigning fixed IP addresses to devices rather than the overall structure and management offered through subnetting.