- A
Wireless local area network (WLAN)
Why wrong: A WLAN uses Wi-Fi and would allow control from anywhere within the home network, not just 10 meters.
- B
Metropolitan area network (MAN)
Why wrong: A MAN covers a city, far too large for a smart bulb.
- C
Personal area network (PAN)
A PAN uses short-range wireless like Bluetooth, matching the 10-meter range and lack of Wi-Fi.
- D
Wide area network (WAN)
Why wrong: A WAN covers large geographic areas, not a personal device's range.
Question 1,013 of 1,020
Personal Area Network (PAN) for IoT Devices
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network types. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A client reports that their new IoT smart bulb can be controlled from a smartphone app only when the phone is within 10 meters of the bulb. The bulb does not connect to the home Wi-Fi. Which network type is the smart bulb using?
Quick Answer
The answer is a Personal Area Network (PAN). This is correct because the smart bulb communicates only within a short range of about 10 meters and does not rely on a home Wi-Fi router, which are the defining characteristics of a PAN. PANs use technologies like Bluetooth or Zigbee to connect personal devices directly, creating a small, ad-hoc network for IoT gadgets without needing central infrastructure. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish PAN from WLAN, WAN, or MAN based on range and infrastructure requirements. A common trap is assuming any wireless connection must be Wi-Fi, but the key clue is the 10-meter limit and lack of router dependency. Remember the memory tip: “PAN is for your personal space—think phone to smart bulb within arm’s reach, not the whole house.”
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Personal area network (PAN)
The smart bulb uses a personal area network (PAN) because it communicates directly with the smartphone over a short-range wireless technology, such as Bluetooth or Zigbee, without connecting to a home Wi-Fi router. The 10-meter range limitation is a key characteristic of PAN technologies, which are designed for device-to-device communication within a few meters to about 10 meters. This contrasts with WLAN, which would require Wi-Fi and a router for broader coverage.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Wireless local area network (WLAN)
Why it's wrong here
A WLAN uses Wi-Fi and would allow control from anywhere within the home network, not just 10 meters.
- ✗
Metropolitan area network (MAN)
Why it's wrong here
A MAN covers a city, far too large for a smart bulb.
- ✓
Personal area network (PAN)
Why this is correct
A PAN uses short-range wireless like Bluetooth, matching the 10-meter range and lack of Wi-Fi.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Wide area network (WAN)
Why it's wrong here
A WAN covers large geographic areas, not a personal device's range.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse PAN with WLAN because both are wireless and can use the 2.4 GHz band, but the absence of a Wi-Fi router and the specific 10-meter range clearly indicate a PAN technology like Bluetooth, not a WLAN.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
PANs commonly use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or Zigbee, both of which operate in the 2.4 GHz ISM band and are optimized for low power consumption and short-range communication (typically up to 10 meters for BLE Class 2). In real-world scenarios, IoT devices like smart bulbs may use BLE mesh networking to extend range, but the direct phone-to-bulb control without a hub or Wi-Fi confirms a classic PAN topology. The 10-meter limit is a physical-layer constraint of the radio transceiver power and antenna design, not a software limitation.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Network Types — This question tests Network Types — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Personal area network (PAN) — The smart bulb uses a personal area network (PAN) because it communicates directly with the smartphone over a short-range wireless technology, such as Bluetooth or Zigbee, without connecting to a home Wi-Fi router. The 10-meter range limitation is a key characteristic of PAN technologies, which are designed for device-to-device communication within a few meters to about 10 meters. This contrasts with WLAN, which would require Wi-Fi and a router for broader coverage.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 220-1201
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A small business owner wants to set up a network that covers three separate buildings within a 200-meter radius, with no internet access required between them. They need a simple, low-cost solution that can be installed quickly without running cables between buildings. Which network type should be recommended?
easy- ✓ A.Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
- B.Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN)
- C.Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
- D.Wide Area Network (WAN)
Why A: A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is the best choice because it can connect multiple buildings using wireless bridges or mesh networking, covering a 200-meter radius without cables. It is simple, low-cost, and does not require internet access. WPAN (Bluetooth/ZigBee) has too short a range (typically <100m) for inter-building connections. MAN and WAN are designed for larger geographic areas and often involve higher costs and internet connectivity.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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