What is the primary purpose of subnetting?

• A. To increase the number of IP addresses available
• B. To enhance network security by isolating subnetworks
• C. To improve efficiency by dividing networks into smaller segments
• D. To manage broadcast traffic

Answer: (C)

The primary purpose of subnetting is to improve efficiency by dividing larger networks into smaller, more manageable segments. This segmentation allows for better organization and administrative control within a network. By splitting a single large network into multiple smaller subnets, network traffic can be reduced, and performance can be optimized—since broadcast traffic is confined to smaller segments. This not only improves the overall efficiency but also simplifies network management and troubleshooting.

Additionally, subnetting facilitates better allocation of IP address space, which is crucial for organizing networks of varying sizes. Each subnet can have its own subset of IP addresses, allowing for tailored addressing schemes that suit the needs of different departments or services within an organization. This helps ensure that IP address use is maximized while minimizing wastage.

In contrast, while enhancing network security and managing broadcast traffic are secondary benefits of subnetting, these are not its primary purposes. Subnetting can indeed provide some security through isolation of subnetworks, but its main goal is to enhance efficiency by creating smaller segments. Similarly, managing broadcast traffic is an outcome of reducing the size of each subnet, making it a result of subnetting rather than the primary reason for its implementation.