What is the practice of dividing a network into smaller sections to mitigate collisions called?

The practice of dividing a network into smaller sections to mitigate collisions is known as segmenting. When a network is segmented, it is broken down into smaller, manageable parts, which helps reduce the chances of data collisions that can occur when multiple devices attempt to communicate simultaneously within the same network segment. By creating separate segments, either through physical means (like separate switches or routers) or logical means (using Virtual LANs or VLANs), network traffic can be managed more efficiently. This segmentation allows for better performance, improved security, and easier management of network resources.

The other options, while related to networking, do not specifically address the concept of reducing collisions through division of the network. Filtering refers to controlling the flow of traffic based on specific criteria, bridging involves connecting two network segments while maintaining their separate collision domains, and routing deals with directing data packets between different networks. These concepts are important in their own right, but they do not focus on the segmentation of a network to alleviate collision issues.