NETWORKS: PAN, WPAN, LAN, WLAN

A network is a collection of computers, servers, mainframes, network devices, peripherals,

or other devices connected to one another to allow the sharing of data. An example of a
network is the Internet, which connects millions of people all over the world. To the right is
an example image of a home network with multiple computers and other network devices
all connected.

1. Personal Area Network (PAN)

A personal area network, or PAN, is a local network designed to transmit data between PCs
(personal computing devices), PDAs (personal digital assistants) and telephones. Gaming
devices, like a game console system, may also be set up on a PAN.

2. Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN)

Short for Wireless Personal Area Network, WPAN is a local network designed to transmit
data between PCs (personal computers), PDAs (personal digital assistants), and phones.
Bluetooth and IrDA are the most common protocols used to create a WPAN with a
transmission range of up to a few meters. Essentially any device with Bluetooth or IrDA
can be connected to a WPAN.

3. Local Area Network (LAN)

Short for local area network, a LAN has networking equipment or computers in close
proximity to each other, capable of communicating, sharing resources and information. For
example, most home and business networks are on a LAN.

 Router

A router is hardware device designed to receive, analyze and move incoming packets to
another network. It may also be used to convert the packets to another network interface,
drop them, and perform other actions relating to a network. The picture shows the Linksys
BEFSR11 wireless router and is what many home routers resemble.
 4. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

Alternatively referred to as a Wireless Local Area Network, WLAN is a type local network
that utilizes radio waves, rather than wires, to transmit data. Today's computers have
WLAN built onboard, which means no additional Wi-Fi card needs to be installed.

 Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is a wireless network that utilizes one of the IEEE 802.11 wireless standards to
achieve a wireless connection to a network. A home wireless network uses a wireless
access point or router to broadcast a signal using WAP or WEP encryption to send and
receive signals from wireless devices on the network. The picture shows a wireless access
point with two antennas and an example of how most home users connect to the Internet
using a wireless device.

 Internet

Alternatively referred to as the net or web, the Internet (interconnected network) was
initially developed to aid in the progress of computing technology by linking academic
computer centers. The Internet we use today started being developed in the late 1960s with
the start of ARPANET and transmitted its first message on Friday, October 29, 1969. In
1993, the Internet experienced one of its largest growths to date and today is accessible by
people all over the world.