What purpose does subnetting serve in a network?

Subnetting serves the important purpose of dividing a large network into smaller, manageable sections. This process enhances network organization and efficiency by creating smaller subnetworks, or subnets, within the larger network. Each of these subnets can operate independently while still being part of a larger system, allowing for improved management of IP address allocation, network security, and overall performance.

By segmenting a network, administrators can reduce broadcast traffic, isolate network faults, and enhance security through subnet-level policies. Additionally, subnetting helps in the efficient use of IP addresses, especially in environments where there might be a need for distinct addressing schemes for different departments or functions within an organization.

Other options like increasing network bandwidth or decreasing network latency are not direct results of subnetting. While networking solutions can impact bandwidth and latency, subnetting primarily focuses on organization rather than performance enhancements. Simplifying network design can be a secondary benefit, but the primary goal of subnetting is really to manage large networks effectively by dividing them into smaller parts.