Personal area network

A personal area network (PAN) is a type of computer network formed by components that are primarily intended for use by a single person. It is typically used for nearby personal or domestic use and communication, and typically consists of peripheral devices, such as computers, printers, and PDAs.

PANs are typically used to access the Internet or share data and files between personal computers, cell phones, and larger networks such as a local area network (LAN) or an enterprise network. Wireless PAN technologies, such as Bluetooth, are used for personal communication since they offer short-range networking and encryption.

Bluetooth is the most commonly used PAN technology, and is used widely in consumer devices, such as keyboards, laptops, smart phones, and gaming consoles. Other PAN technologies, such as WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) are used for connection between PDAs and mobile phones.

Wireless PANs are becoming increasingly popular for their convenience and their ability to reduce the need for additional networking hardware. They enable users to carry their PAN from place to place, and provide easy access to wireless networks. Additionally, PANs provide greater security than conventional wired networks due to the short range span of the technology.

In addition to Bluetooth, infrared (IR) is another PAN technology used to provide communication between different devices. IR technology is not widely used today, but is still available for legacy systems. Wi-Fi is also a form of personal area network, and is popular in wireless home networks.