Home network

Other than a regular LAN that are centralized and use IP technologies, a home network may also make use of direct peer-to-peer methods as well as non-IP protocols such as Bluetooth.

Unlike their data center counterparts, these networking devices are compact and passively cooled, aiming to be as hands-off and non-obtrusive as possible.

A wireless access point provides connectivity within the home network for mobile devices and many other types using the Wi-Fi standard.

Low power, close range communication based on IEEE 802.15 standards has a strong presence in homes.

Bluetooth continues to be the technology of choice for most wireless accessories such as keyboards, mice, headsets, and game controllers.

These connections are often established in a transient, ad-hoc manner and are not thought of as permanent residents of a home network.

Traditionally, data-centric equipment such as computers and media players have been the primary tenants of a home network.

Examples of such may include "connected" light bulbs (see also Li-Fi), home security alarms[3] and smoke detectors.

[citation needed] Microsoft offers simple access control features built into their Windows operating system.

All users (typically all family members), except guest accounts, may access any shared library on any computer that is connected to the home group.