- A
Local Area Network (LAN)
Why wrong: A LAN typically requires a central device like a router or switch and is not limited to 30 meters, but it is not the direct peer-to-peer connection described.
- B
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Why wrong: A WAN spans large distances and is not used for local device-to-device communication.
- C
Personal Area Network (PAN)
A PAN is ideal for short-range, direct communication between personal devices, such as smart home gadgets, without a central hub.
- D
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Why wrong: A MAN covers a city area and is not suitable for a single home's smart devices.
Question 884 of 1,020
Personal Area Network (PAN) Example: Smart Home Without Hub
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network types. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 technician is troubleshooting a customer's smart home setup where the thermostat, lights, and door lock are controlled via a smartphone app. The devices communicate directly with each other without a central hub, but the range is limited to about 30 meters. Which network type is being used?
Quick Answer
The correct answer is Personal Area Network (PAN). This network type is designed for short-range, device-to-device communication, typically within 10 to 30 meters, and it can operate without a central hub using technologies like Bluetooth or Zigbee, which perfectly matches the smart home scenario where a thermostat, lights, and door lock communicate directly via a smartphone app. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish PAN from LAN, WAN, and MAN based on range and hub dependency—a common trap is confusing a hubless PAN with a LAN, but remember that a LAN requires a router or switch for connectivity. For a quick memory tip, think “PAN = Personal, Proximate, Peer-to-Peer” to recall its limited range and direct device linking.
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)
This scenario describes a Personal Area Network (PAN) because the devices (thermostat, lights, door lock) communicate directly with each other over a short range of approximately 30 meters without a central hub. This is characteristic of PAN technologies like Zigbee or Z-Wave, which use mesh networking to extend range and allow direct device-to-device communication within a limited area.
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.
- ✗
Local Area Network (LAN)
Why it's wrong here
A LAN typically requires a central device like a router or switch and is not limited to 30 meters, but it is not the direct peer-to-peer connection described.
- ✗
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Why it's wrong here
A WAN spans large distances and is not used for local device-to-device communication.
- ✓
Personal Area Network (PAN)
Why this is correct
A PAN is ideal for short-range, direct communication between personal devices, such as smart home gadgets, without a central hub.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Why it's wrong here
A MAN covers a city area and is not suitable for a single home's smart devices.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between PAN and LAN by describing a small number of devices in a home, leading candidates to incorrectly choose LAN because they associate 'local' with any home network, but the key clue is the short range and direct device-to-device communication without a hub.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
PAN technologies like Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4) operate in the 2.4 GHz band with a typical range of 10–30 meters and support mesh networking, where each device can act as a repeater to extend coverage. In contrast, Z-Wave uses sub-1 GHz frequencies (e.g., 908 MHz in the US) for better wall penetration but similar range. The absence of a central hub indicates a peer-to-peer or mesh topology, which is a key differentiator from a star topology used in many LANs.
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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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) — This scenario describes a Personal Area Network (PAN) because the devices (thermostat, lights, door lock) communicate directly with each other over a short range of approximately 30 meters without a central hub. This is characteristic of PAN technologies like Zigbee or Z-Wave, which use mesh networking to extend range and allow direct device-to-device communication within a limited area.
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 user wants to wirelessly stream music from their smartphone to a Bluetooth speaker in the same room. Which network type is being used for this connection?
easy- A.Local Area Network (LAN)
- B.Wide Area Network (WAN)
- ✓ C.Personal Area Network (PAN)
- D.Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Why C: C is correct because a Bluetooth connection between a smartphone and a speaker operates within a Personal Area Network (PAN). PANs are defined by IEEE 802.15 and cover a short-range, ad-hoc wireless link (typically up to 10 meters) designed for personal device interconnectivity, which matches the Bluetooth streaming scenario exactly.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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