What is the benefit of using snapshots in virtualization?

Using snapshots in virtualization provides the benefit of allowing rollback to a previous state. Snapshots capture the state, data, and configuration of a virtual machine at a specific point in time. This feature is particularly valuable for system administrators and users who want to ensure that they can revert the virtual machine to a known good state following operations that may cause system instability, such as software installation or updates.

When a snapshot is taken, the current state is preserved, and any changes made afterward can be undone if the new state does not meet expectations. This ability to easily revert back can save time and effort in troubleshooting, especially when experimenting with configurations or when testing software in an isolated environment.

The other options do not accurately represent the primary use of snapshots. They do not inherently speed up data transfer, improve network performance, or increase available storage space. Instead, they focus on providing a safety net by retaining a copy of the virtual machine's state, which is essential for effective management and recovery in a virtualized environment.