Data communications involves transferring data from one place to another using computing and communication technologies. A computer network connects at least two devices via cable or wireless connection to share resources. A PAN is a personal network around an individual's devices while a LAN connects devices in a limited area like a home or office. Network devices like hubs, switches, routers and bridges help direct data traffic at different layers with hubs operating at the physical layer and routers at the network layer. MAC addresses, IP addresses, ports and protocols allow identification and communication between devices on a network.