CWS WLAN Hardware & Software Components 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes a mesh access point in a WLAN deployment?
- An AP that only supports 2.4 GHz clients
- An AP that uses wireless backhaul to connect to the wired network (Correct answer)
- An AP that requires a wired uplink to function
- An AP that operates in monitor-only mode
Correct answer: An AP that uses wireless backhaul to connect to the wired network
Mesh APs use one radio as a wireless backhaul to connect to a root AP or other mesh nodes, eliminating the need for a wired Ethernet connection at every AP location.
Question 2: What is the purpose of an RF spectrum analyzer in WLAN troubleshooting?
- To assign IP addresses to wireless clients
- To identify non-802.11 interference sources in the RF spectrum (Correct answer)
- To configure SSID parameters on access points
- To measure throughput between two wireless clients
Correct answer: To identify non-802.11 interference sources in the RF spectrum
An RF spectrum analyzer detects and classifies non-802.11 RF sources such as microwave ovens, Bluetooth devices, and cordless phones that can cause interference.
Question 3: A dual-band access point has two radios. One is operating on the 2.4 GHz band. What band does the second radio typically operate on?
- 900 MHz
- 3.6 GHz
- 5 GHz (Correct answer)
- 60 GHz
Correct answer: 5 GHz
Dual-band APs simultaneously operate on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, allowing clients to connect on either band based on capability and network conditions.
Question 4: What hardware feature allows a tri-radio access point to dedicate one radio exclusively to monitoring the RF environment?
- Band steering module
- Dedicated scanning radio (Correct answer)
- MIMO spatial stream
- PoE budget allocation
Correct answer: Dedicated scanning radio
A dedicated scanning radio (sometimes called a security radio) in a tri-radio AP continuously monitors all channels for rogue APs, interference, and security threats without impacting client service.
Question 5: Which software tool is used by WLAN administrators to plan AP placement, predict coverage, and model RF propagation before deployment?
- Wireless packet sniffer
- Wireless site survey / RF planning software (Correct answer)
- RADIUS server management console
- Network access control (NAC) dashboard
Correct answer: Wireless site survey / RF planning software
RF planning tools like Ekahau, AirMagnet, or iBwave use building floor plans and AP specs to predict signal coverage, capacity, and interference before physical deployment.
Question 6: In a WLAN system, what is the function of the RADIUS server?
- Converts omnidirectional signals to directional signals
- Provides centralized authentication and authorization for wireless users (Correct answer)
- Assigns channels and power levels to access points
- Bridges wireless and wired network segments
Correct answer: Provides centralized authentication and authorization for wireless users
A RADIUS server provides Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) services, validating wireless user credentials during 802.1X/EAP authentication.
Question 7: What type of antenna connector is most commonly found on consumer-grade access points and WLAN adapters for attaching external antennas?
- N-type connector
- RP-SMA connector (Correct answer)
- BNC connector
- F-type connector
Correct answer: RP-SMA connector
The Reverse Polarity SMA (RP-SMA) connector is the most common connector type on consumer Wi-Fi equipment for external antenna attachment, required by FCC regulations.
CWS WLAN Hardware & Software Components 3
Which of the following best describes a mesh access point in a WLAN deployment?