Which wireless technology allows devices to connect directly to a printer without routing through a network?

Wi-Fi Direct is a wireless technology that enables devices to connect directly to each other without the need for a traditional network or router. This is particularly useful for applications such as connecting to a printer, as it allows for quick and easy establishment of a connection for data transfer. With Wi-Fi Direct, devices can communicate using their Wi-Fi capabilities while maintaining a peer-to-peer connection, resulting in higher data transfer speeds compared to some other wireless technologies.

The significance of Wi-Fi Direct lies in its ability to facilitate direct connections without the intermediary of a network. This provides convenience and immediacy, especially in situations where users need to print documents directly from a mobile device or laptop without requiring access to the broader network infrastructure.

In contrast, Bluetooth primarily supports short-range connections between devices, and while it can also connect to printers, it typically operates at slower speeds than Wi-Fi Direct. WLAN refers to a complete network system, which would require routing through a network, and infrared technology is much less common today, having severe limitations in terms of distance and line-of-sight requirements for communication. Thus, Wi-Fi Direct stands out for its ease of use in creating direct connections that facilitate printing without needing to route through a network.