- A
Local Area Network (LAN)
Why wrong: A LAN is used for computers and network devices, not for direct peripheral connections like mice and keyboards.
- B
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Why wrong: A WAN is for long-distance networking, not for short-range peripherals.
- C
Personal Area Network (PAN)
A PAN is the correct network type for short-range personal peripherals like wireless mice and keyboards.
- D
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Why wrong: A MAN covers a city area and is irrelevant to desktop peripherals.
Question 848 of 1,020
Personal Area Network (PAN) Explained
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 user complains that their wireless mouse and keyboard stop working when they move more than 10 feet away from the computer. The devices use a USB dongle. Which network type is being used for these peripherals?
Quick Answer
The answer is a Personal Area Network (PAN). This is correct because wireless mice and keyboards that rely on a USB dongle operate over short-range radio frequencies, typically Bluetooth or proprietary RF, which are the defining technologies of a PAN. PANs are designed for connecting personal devices within a very limited range—usually up to 10 meters or about 33 feet—which explains why the peripherals fail beyond that distance. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish PAN from LAN, WAN, or MAN, which are all larger-scale networks and not used for direct peripheral connections. A common trap is confusing a USB dongle with a LAN adapter, but remember: if it’s a cable-replacement for a keyboard or mouse, it’s always a PAN. Memory tip: “PAN” stands for “Personal Area Network,” so think “Personal Peripherals—short range, just for you.”
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 correct answer is C, Personal Area Network (PAN), because wireless mice and keyboards that connect via a USB dongle typically use Bluetooth or a proprietary 2.4 GHz RF protocol, which creates a short-range PAN. The 10-foot range limitation is characteristic of PAN technologies, which are designed for personal device connectivity within a few meters, not for broader network 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.
- ✗
Local Area Network (LAN)
Why it's wrong here
A LAN is used for computers and network devices, not for direct peripheral connections like mice and keyboards.
- ✗
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Why it's wrong here
A WAN is for long-distance networking, not for short-range peripherals.
- ✓
Personal Area Network (PAN)
Why this is correct
A PAN is the correct network type for short-range personal peripherals like wireless mice and keyboards.
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 irrelevant to desktop peripherals.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse the wireless nature of the peripherals with Wi-Fi (a LAN technology), but the short range and personal-device context point specifically to a PAN, not a LAN.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Wireless peripherals using a USB dongle often operate in the 2.4 GHz ISM band with proprietary protocols or Bluetooth (Class 2, range ~10 meters). The dongle acts as a host controller, and the devices form a piconet in Bluetooth terminology, which is a type of PAN. The range limitation is due to low transmit power (typically 0 dBm to 4 dBm) and antenna design, optimized for low power consumption rather than distance.
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) — The correct answer is C, Personal Area Network (PAN), because wireless mice and keyboards that connect via a USB dongle typically use Bluetooth or a proprietary 2.4 GHz RF protocol, which creates a short-range PAN. The 10-foot range limitation is characteristic of PAN technologies, which are designed for personal device connectivity within a few meters, not for broader network 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.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.
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