What is the primary purpose of the Local Management Interface (LMI) in Frame Relay networks?

The primary purpose of the Local Management Interface (LMI) in Frame Relay networks is to provide global addressing for Data Link Connection Identifiers (DLCIs). LMI acts as a signaling protocol that enables communication between the user equipment and the Frame Relay switch. By facilitating the management of DLCIs, LMI assists in maintaining the status and configuration of virtual circuits within the network.

This means that LMI helps ensure that the data being sent through these virtual circuits is effectively routed and managed, allowing for efficient communication. It delivers critical information such as the availability of virtual circuits, status updates, and the ability to dynamically allocate bandwidth on demand. Without LMI, managing these aspects of Frame Relay connections would be significantly more challenging, impacting the reliability and efficiency of data transmission over the network.

In contrast, other options focus on functionalities that do not align with LMI's specific role in Frame Relay networks. While multimedia streaming, secure tunneling protocols, and point-to-point features are relevant in telecommunications, they do not pertain to the core function of LMI, which is primarily concerned with the endpoint management of DLCIs.