TestOut LabSim A+ Certification Practice Exam

Which network type uses a shared medium to connect devices within a short range?

1. Wired LAN

2. PAN

3. WAN

4. MAN

The correct answer is: PAN

The correct choice is B, as a Personal Area Network (PAN) is specifically designed to connect devices within a short range, typically within a few meters. It often uses a shared medium such as Bluetooth technology, allowing personal devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops to communicate with each other easily. In a PAN, devices can share resources and communicate without requiring extensive infrastructure, making it ideal for short-distance, low-data-rate applications, such as connecting a wireless headset to a smartphone or syncing a smartwatch with a mobile device. This setup emphasizes short-range connectivity and convenience for personal use within a limited area. The other options describe different types of networks with distinct characteristics that do not fit the description given. Wired LANs are typically associated with Ethernet networking within a building or campus, covering larger local areas. WANs (Wide Area Networks) embody large geographical areas, often involving telecommunications networks, while MANs (Metropolitan Area Networks) cover areas such as cities, and they usually connect multiple LANs over a larger scale. These networks are not focused on the short-range, shared connectivity seen in a PAN context.