What is a common use of VLAN in enterprise networks?

VLANs, or Virtual Local Area Networks, are commonly used in enterprise networks to segment network traffic for better performance. By implementing VLANs, different types of traffic or groups of users can be isolated from each other, which helps to reduce congestion and improve overall network efficiency.

When traffic is segmented into VLANs, broadcast domains are also created. This means that broadcast traffic from one VLAN will not affect other VLANs, thereby limiting unnecessary traffic and enhancing the performance of the network. Additionally, this segregation can enhance security by isolating sensitive data or operations from general network traffic, making it harder for unauthorized users to gain access.

While optimizing server performance and addressing IP address limitations may be beneficial in certain contexts, these are not the primary reasons for using VLANs. Similarly, the advent of VLANs does not eliminate the need for switches; rather, it effectively utilizes switch capabilities to manage network resources more efficiently.