What is the primary use of Virtual LANs (VLANs) in network environments?

VLANs, or Virtual Local Area Networks, are primarily used to separate broadcast domains within a network. This segmentation allows for enhanced security and performance by restricting the broadcast traffic to specific groups of devices rather than allowing it to flood the entire network. When devices are segmented into their own VLANs, they can communicate within the same VLAN without interference from other VLANs, which reduces overall network congestion and increases the efficiency of data transmission.

In addition to network performance, this separation also plays a critical role in security. For instance, sensitive data can be isolated within a VLAN, limiting access only to authorized users while keeping it away from other segments of the network that do not require access to that data. This capability to create logical groupings based on function, department, or security level is crucial in modern network design, making VLANs a fundamental component of effective network architecture.

Other options, while they might have relevance in certain contexts, do not capture the primary and significant roles that VLANs play in maintaining orderly and secure networks.