Which of the following is a characteristic of the network labs of tomorrow?

The correct choice, which highlights the characteristic of the network labs of tomorrow, is single click deployment. This concept reflects the growing trend towards automation and simplification in network management. As network environments evolve, there’s a significant push towards enabling more efficient, user-friendly operations that minimize the complexities traditionally associated with network configuration and management.

Single click deployment signifies a move towards orchestration and automation, where deploying new services or configurations can be executed with minimal manual input. This allows network engineers to focus more on higher-level tasks, such as architecture and strategy, rather than being bogged down in repetitive manual processes. Such automation streamlines operations and facilitates agility within network labs, accommodating rapid changes and deployments which are becoming increasingly essential in modern IT strategies.

In contrast, hardware-centric approaches or manual configuration methods do not align with this trend, as they can lead to longer deployment times and greater chances for human error. Additionally, increased costs typically run counter to the quest for efficiency and automation, which aims to reduce expenses through better resource management and operational effectiveness. Thus, single click deployment accurately characterizes the future direction of network labs.