Bluetooth Vs. LAN
Both Bluetooth and Local Area Networks (LANs) provide a medium for computers to connect and share Internet connections and files. Bluetooth is centered on small-scale networks, while LANs can handle multiple simultaneous connections.
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Features
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Bluetooth uses radio signals to permit communication between devices. It has a range of about 30 feet. A wireless LAN has a range of up to 200 feet (Mobileinfo.com: Bluetooth vs. LAN).
Benefits
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A Bluetooth personal area network can be started by pairing multiple Bluetooth devices to each other, which creates an ad hoc network without a central access point. A wireless LAN requires each computer to connect to a central router. Both offer fast setup times.
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Identification
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A Bluetooth network can be identified by looking at the Bluetooth control panel on your phone or computer. If multiple devices are connected via Bluetooth, they will appear in this control panel. A wireless LAN can be identified by the presence of a central router or wireless network switch.
Considerations
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Bluetooth data transfer speeds are slower than a LAN. Therefore, a Bluetooth connection between computers may be unable to take advantage of the high-speed broadband Internet connections that are available.
Misconceptions
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Devices like cell phones, which offer mobile broadband Internet connections and have Bluetooth capabilities, may be unable to share their Internet signal via Bluetooth. Some carriers have blocked the use of these functions to curb high data use by users without phone as modem plans (Engadget: The Best Mobile Data Carrier).
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