A
home network or
home area network (
HAN) is a type of
local area network with the purpose to facilitate communication among digital devices present inside or within the close vicinity of a
home. Devices capable of participating in this network, for example,
smart devices such as network printers and handheld mobile computers, often gain enhanced
emergent capabilities through their ability to interact. These additional capabilities can be used to increase the
quality of life inside the home in a variety of ways, such as automation of repetitious tasks, increased personal productivity, enhanced home security, and easier access to entertainment.