Page 73 - DCAP104_EXPOSURE_TO_COMPUTER_DISCPLINES

Exposure to Computer Disciplines

Notes 4.3.3 Personal Area Network
A personal area network (PAN) is a computer network used for communication among computer
and different information technological devices close to one person. Some examples of devices
that are used in a PAN are personal computers, printers, fax achines, telephones, PDAs, scanners,
and even video game consoles. A PAN may include wired and wireless devices. The reach of a
PAN typically extends to 10 meters. A wired PAN is usually constructed with USB and Firewire
connections while technologies such as Bluetooth and infrared communication typically form a
wireless PAN.

Figure 4.5: A PAN Structure

4.3.4 Home Area Network
A home area network (HAN) is a residential LAN which is used for communication between
digital devices typically deployed in the home, usually a small number of personal computers
and accessories, such as printers and mobile computing devices. An important function is the
sharing of Internet access, often a broadband service through a CATV or Digital Subscriber Line
(DSL) provider. It can also be referred to as an office area network (OAN).

Figure 4.6: A HAN Structure
KEY
UTILITY NETWORK BACKBONE
MAN HAN (ZigBee) LAN (802.11) PAN (BT) SOMETHING ELSE
AP TO
BACKHAUL
WAN (802, 16)
INTERNET

BROADBAND PIPE

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