What primarily differentiates a virtual switch from a traditional switch?

A virtual switch is primarily different from a traditional switch due to its ability to manage multiple VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) efficiently. In a virtualized environment, a virtual switch allows multiple virtual machines (VMs) to communicate with each other and with external networks across different VLANs without the need for extensive physical hardware. This flexibility in managing multiple VLANs is crucial for maintaining network segmentation, optimizing traffic, and enhancing security within a virtualized infrastructure.

Traditional switches typically operate at the hardware level and may not have the same level of integration or capability to dynamically manage VLANs across a multitude of virtual machines. They function based on physical port configurations and often require manual reconfiguration to adapt to changes in the network or to support new VLANs. In contrast, a virtual switch can adjust to the needs of the VMs and dynamically handle VLAN tagging and traffic flow, making it an essential component of modern virtualization technologies.

The other choices touch on aspects that may characterize switches in general, but they do not distinctly highlight the key functionality of a virtual switch in today's networking environments. For example, while physical size and port capacity are relevant to traditional switches, they do not apply to virtual switches, which exist in a software-defined environment. Similarly, method of packet