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The primary purpose of SPAN, or Switched Port Analyzer, in network configuration is to mirror all data for analysis. This feature is utilized predominantly for monitoring and troubleshooting network issues. By creating a copy of the traffic that passes through a selected port or VLAN, network administrators can direct this mirrored traffic to a specific port where analysis tools, such as intrusion detection systems or packet analyzers, are connected.

This allows for a comprehensive inspection of the traffic without interfering with the actual data flow on the network. Analyzing the mirrored data helps in identifying performance bottlenecks, security threats, and other network anomalies. The ability to see all packets, including those not destined for a specific monitoring or analysis device, provides a complete view of the network's operation and status.

While improving network speed, enhancing security, and segmenting traffic are important aspects of network management, they are not the primary objective of SPAN. Instead, SPAN is specifically designed to facilitate detailed data capture for analysis, making it an invaluable tool for network administrators seeking to maintain and optimize network performance and security.