Bluetooth personal area network (PAN) is a technology that enables you to create an Ethernet network with wireless links between mobile computers, mobile phones, and handheld devices. You can connect to the following types of Bluetooth enabled devices that work with PAN: a personal area network user (PANU) device, a group ad hoc network (GN) device, or a network access point (NAP) device.

Here is more information about what each of these does:

PANU devices. Connecting to a Bluetooth enabled PANU device creates an ad hoc network that includes your computer and the device.
GN devices. Connecting to a Bluetooth enabled GN device creates an ad hoc network that includes your computer, the GN device, and any other PANU devices that are connected to the same GN device.
NAP devices. Connecting to a Bluetooth enabled NAP device allows you to connect your computer to a larger network such as a home network, a corporate network, or the Internet.

Note

Some mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) only work with dial-up networking, some only work with PAN, and some work with both services. To find out which services your Bluetooth enabled device will work with, check the information that came with your device.

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Applies to all editions of Windows Vista.

See also

What is a Bluetooth personal area network (PAN)?

Note