What is the purpose of a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN)?

The purpose of a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) is to group devices from different physical LANs. VLANs allow network administrators to create logical groups of devices based on functional or organizational needs, irrespective of their geographical or physical locations. This means that devices that are on different physical switches or connected through different infrastructure can still be part of the same logical network, enhancing collaboration and communication between these devices.

By segmenting networks into VLANs, organizations can improve network management and security. For instance, different departments can be isolated from each other while still being on the same physical network, thus controlling traffic and access at a more granular level. This logical separation helps in organizing the network efficiently and applying specific security policies tailored to the needs of each group.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the primary purpose of VLANs. Increasing the speed of physical LANs is more about network design and hardware specifications than VLAN implementation. Security in wireless communications is a separate concern typically addressed through different protocols and technologies. While VLANs might contribute to more efficient use of resources that could facilitate internet access, that is not their main purpose.