When searching the Internet for help solving various issues involving networking my devices via Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi it seems that the terms "ad-hoc network" and "personal area network" (PAN) are sometimes used interchangeably.
Do they actually mean the same thing?
Or is one properly a subset of the other?
Or is PAN standardized and ad-hoc not?
Or is one term preferred by one or more companies, OSes, communities?
A Personal Area Network is typically an ad hoc network, but the terms are not interchangeable.
PAN is differentiated by range, typically up to a few meters, although I've seen definitions describing up to 10 meters. It's intended to connect devices within a short distance of a user (hence the "personal"). One of those connected devices could link to an external network, to access the Internet, for example.
Starting source for you
An ad hoc network is one that is created as or when needed for a purpose by the devices, themselves, rather than connecting the devices via a network infrastructure, like a router.
Starting source for you
