Free and Premium CWNP CWNA-109 Dumps Questions Answers

The center frequency of channel 4 in the 2.4 GHz band is 2.427 GHz (2427 MHz). The center frequency of a channel is the midpoint of its frequency range, where the signal strength is highest and most concentrated. The center frequency of channel 1 in the 2.4 GHz band is 2.412 GHz (2412 MHz), as given in the question. The center frequency of each subsequent channel is obtained by adding 5 MHz to the previous channel’s center frequency, since the channels are spaced 5 MHz apart from each other in this band. Therefore, to find the center frequency of channel 4, we need to add 15 MHz (5 MHz x 3) to the center frequency of channel 1:

2.412 GHz + 0.015 GHz = 2.427 GHz

Alternatively, we can use a formula to calculate the center frequency of any channel in the 2.4 GHz band:

Center frequency (GHz) = 2.407 + (0.005 x Channel number)

Using this formula for channel 4, we get:

Center frequency (GHz) = 2.407 + (0.005 x 4)

Center frequency (GHz) = 2.407 + 0.02

Center frequency (GHz) = 2.427 References: 1, Chapter 3, page 85; 2, Section 3.2

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is an application that is likely used that demands the requirements of unidirectional delays of less than 150 ms and the signal strength at all receivers can be no lower than -67 dBm. VoIP is an application that allows users to make and receive voice calls over a network, such as the Internet or a WLAN. VoIP is a real-time and interactive application that requires high quality of service (QoS) to ensure good user experience and satisfaction. One of the QoS metrics for VoIP is delay, which is the time it takes for a voice packet to travel from the sender to the receiver. Delay can affect the quality and intelligibility of the voice conversation, as well as the synchronization and naturalness of the dialogue. The ITU-T G.114 recommendation suggests that the maximum acceptable one-way delay for VoIP should be less than 150 ms, as anything higher than that can cause noticeable degradation and annoyance to the users. Another QoS metric for VoIP is signal strength, which is the measure of how strong the RF signal is at the receiver. Signal strength can affect the reliability and performance of the wireless connection, as well as the data rate and throughput of the VoIP traffic. The CWNA Official Study Guide recommends that the minimum signal strength for VoIP should be -67 dBm, as anything lower than that can cause packet loss, retries, jitter, and other issues that can impair the voice quality. References: 1, Chapter 10, page 398; 2, Section 6.1

 iPerf is an open source tool that is designed to perform a throughput test on the WLAN. iPerf is a cross-platform command-line tool that can measure the bandwidth and quality of network links by generating TCP or UDP traffic between two endpoints. iPerf can run as either a server or a client mode, depending on whether it receives or sends traffic. iPerf can also report various metrics of network performance, such as throughput, jitter, packet loss, delay, and TCP window size. To perform a throughput test on the WLAN using iPerf, one device needs to run iPerf in server mode and another device needs to run iPerf in client mode. The devices need to be connected to the same WLAN network and have their IP addresses configured properly. The device running iPerf in client mode needs to specify the IP address of the device running iPerf in server mode as well as other parameters such as protocol, port number, duration, interval, bandwidth limit, packet size, etc. The device running iPerf in server mode will listen for incoming connections from the client device and send back acknowledgments or responses depending on the protocol used. The device running iPerf in client mode will send traffic to the server device according to the specified parameters and measure the network performance. The device running iPerf in client mode will display the results of the throughput test at the end of the test or at regular intervals during the test. The results can show the average, minimum, maximum, and instantaneous throughput of the network link, as well as other metrics such as jitter, packet loss, delay, and TCP window size. References: 1, Chapter 7, page 287; 2, Section 4.3

The unit of measurement that is an absolute unit and is used to quantify received signal power levels on a logarithmic scale is dBm. dBm stands for decibel-milliwatt and represents the power level relative to 1 milliwatt (mW). dBm is an absolute unit because it has a fixed reference point and does not depend on the input power level. dBm is used to measure the received signal power levels on a logarithmic scale because it can express large variations in power levels with small numbers and make calculations easier. For example, a 10 dB increase in power level means a 10-fold increase in power, and a 20 dB increase means a 100-fold increase in power. References: [CWNP Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 66; [CWNA: Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 56.

The IEEE 802.11ax standard, also known as High-Efficiency Wireless (HEW) or simply HE, includes support for operation across multiple frequency bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and, with the appropriate regulatory approvals, the 6 GHz band. This makes option D the correct answer. Here's how it compares to the other options:

HE (802.11ax): Introduced as an enhancement over previous standards, 802.11ax is designed to improve efficiency, especially in dense environments. It supports operation in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands (the latter pending regulatory approval in various regions), making it highly versatile and future-proof.

VHT (802.11ac): Very High Throughput, or 802.11ac, operates exclusively in the 5 GHz band. It introduced significant speed improvements over its predecessor (802.11n) but does not support the 2.4 GHz or 6 GHz bands.

HT (802.11n): High Throughput, or 802.11n, supports operation in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. However, it does not include support for the 6 GHz band.

HR/DSSS (802.11b): High-Rate Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum, or 802.11b, operates only in the 2.4 GHz band. It was one of the early Wi-Fi standards and does not support 5 GHz or 6 GHz bands.

Given these distinctions, only 802.11ax (option D) supports operation across all three mentioned bands, aligning with the requirements stated in the question.

The client STA can use Beacon frames transmitted by the AP to verify that an AP supports the same data rates that it supports. Beacon frames are management frames that are periodically broadcasted by the APs to announce their presence, capabilities, and parameters. One of the information elements contained in the Beacon frames is the Supported Rates or Extended Supported Rates, which lists the data rates that the AP can use for communication. The client STA can compare its own data rates with those advertised by the AP to determine if they are compatible. Data frames, authentication frames, and probe request frames do not contain information about data rates. References: [CWNP Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 133; [CWNA: Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 123.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is a commonly used method to locate the controllers by the APs in a WLAN that is implemented using wireless controllers. DHCP is a protocol that allows a device to obtain an IP address and other network configuration parameters from a server. In a wireless controller scenario, the APs can use DHCP to request an IP address from a DHCP server, which can also provide the IP address or hostname of the wireless controller as an option in the DHCP response. This way, the APs can discover the wireless controller and establish a connection with it. Alternatively, the APs can also use other methods to locate the wireless controller, such as DNS (Domain Name System), broadcast or multicast discovery, or manual configuration. References: 1, Chapter 8, page 309; 2, Section 5.2

The feature of 802.11ax (HE) that provides this functionality is OFDMA. OFDMA stands for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access and is a technology that allows multiple devices to communicate simultaneously on the same channel in the same BSS. OFDMA works by dividing a channel into smaller subchannels called Resource Units (RUs), which are composed of groups of subcarriers or tones. Each RU can be assigned to a different device based on its bandwidth requirement and signal quality. This way, OFDMA can increase the efficiency and capacity of the channel by reducing overhead, contention, and latency. OFDMA can also support both uplink and downlink multi-user transmissions using trigger frames and buffer status reports. 6 GHz support, TWT, and Wi-Fi-LTE are not features of 802.11ax that provide this functionality. References: [CWNP Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 226; [CWNA: Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 216.

The authentication method that is referenced in the 802.11-2016 and 802.11-2020 specifications and is recommended for robust WLAN client security is 802.1X/EAP. 802.1X/EAP stands for IEEE 802.1X Port-Based Network Access Control with Extensible Authentication Protocol and is a framework that provides strong authentication and dynamic encryption key generation for WLAN clients. 802.1X/EAP involves three parties: the supplicant (the client), the authenticator (the AP or the controller), and the authentication server (usually a RADIUS server). The supplicant sends its credentials (such as username and password, certificate, or token) to the authenticator, which forwards them to the authentication server. The authentication server verifies the credentials and sends a response to the authenticator, which grants or denies access to the supplicant. The authentication server also generates a master key that is used to derive encryption keys for the data frames between the supplicant and the authenticator. 802.1X/EAP supports various EAP methods that offer different levels of security and flexibility, such as EAP-TLS, EAP-PEAP, EAP-TTLS, EAP-FAST, and EAP-SIM. SSL, IPSec, and WEP are not authentication methods, but rather encryption or security protocols that are not specific to WLANs or referenced in the 802.11 specifications. References: [CWNP Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 299; [CWNA: Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 289.

S1G is one of the 802.11 PHYs that is more likely to be used in an industrial deployment but not likely to be used in standard office deployments. This is because S1G stands for Sub-1 GHz, which means it operates in the frequency bands below 1 GHz, such as 900 MHz and 868 MHz. These bands offer better penetration and range than the higher frequency bands used by other 802.11 PHYs, such as 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. This makes S1G suitable for industrial applications that require robust and reliable wireless communication in harsh environments, such as factories, warehouses, mines, and smart grids. S1G also supports low-power and low-data-rate devices, such as sensors, actuators, and meters, which are common in industrial Internet of Things (IoT) scenarios. VHT, OFDM, and HT are other 802.11 PHYs that are more commonly used in standard office deployments, as they offer higher data rates and capacity than S1G, but have lower range and penetration. References: CWNA-109 Study Guide, Chapter 3: Radio Frequency Technologies, page 751

What should be inspected to verify proper configuration is DNS. DNS stands for Domain Name System and is a service that resolves hostnames to IP addresses. In a controller-based AP deployment, DNS can be used to help the AP locate the controller by using a predefined hostname such as CISCO-CAPWAP-CONTROLLER or aruba-master. The AP sends a DNS query for this hostname and receives an IP address of the controller as a response. Therefore, if DNS is not configured properly or if there is no DNS entry for the controller hostname, the AP may not be able to locate the controller. NTP, BOOTP, and AP hosts file are not relevant for this scenario. References: [CWNP Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 374; [CWNA: Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 364.

Cellular/LTE/5G is the best method for implementing a network backhaul for communications across the Internet in a remote area that is affected by a natural disaster. This is because cellular/LTE/5G networks are wireless and do not depend on physical infrastructure that may be damaged or unavailable in such scenarios. Cellular/LTE/5G networks also offer high-speed data transmission and wide coverage area, which are essential for emergency response operations. 802.11 bridging to the response team headquarters is not feasible because it requires line-of-sight and has limited range. Turning up the output power of the WLAN at the response team headquarters is not effective because it may cause interference and does not guarantee reliable connectivity. Temporary wired DSL is not practical because it requires installing cables and equipment that may not be available or accessible in a remote area. References: CWNA-109 Study Guide, Chapter 7: Wireless LAN Topologies, page 2031

Channel 144 is a new channel that was added to the 5 GHz band by the 802.11ac amendment, which defines the VHT (Very High Throughput) PHY for WLANs. Channel 144 has a center frequency of 5720 MHz and a bandwidth of 20 MHz. It can also be combined with adjacent channels to form wider channels of 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz. Channel 144 is available in some regions, such as North America and Europe, but not in others, such as Japan and China . References: [CWNA-109 Study Guide], Chapter 3: Antennas and Accessories, page 121; [CWNA-109 Study Guide], Chapter 3: Antennas and Accessories, page 115; [Wikipedia], List of WLAN channels.

PoE stands for Power over Ethernet, which is a technology that allows network devices to receive power and data over the same Ethernet cable. PoE eliminates the need for separate power adapters or outlets for devices such as IP phones, cameras, or APs. PoE requires two types of devices: PSE (Power Sourcing Equipment) and PD (Powered Device). A PSE is a device that provides power to the Ethernet cable, such as a switch, injector, or splitter. A PD is a device that receives power from the Ethernet cable, such as an IP phone, camera, or AP. When implementing PoE, a switch plays the role of a PSE910. References: CWNA-109 Study Guide, Chapter 7: Power over Ethernet (PoE), page 293; CWNA-109 Study Guide, Chapter 7: Power over Ethernet (PoE), page 287.

What is always required to establish a high quality 2.4 GHz RF link at a distance of 3 miles (5 kilometers) is a Fresnel Zone that is at least 60% clear of obstructions. The Fresnel Zone is an elliptical-shaped area around the line-of-sight path between two antennas that reflects and refracts the RF waves. The Fresnel Zone radius depends on the frequency of the RF signal and the distance between the antennas. For optimal performance, the Fresnel Zone should be at least 60% clear of any obstructions that may cause interference, attenuation, or multipath fading. The minimum output power level, antenna gain, and antenna type may vary depending on the environmental conditions and regulatory constraints, but they are not always required for a high quality RF link. References: [CWNP Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 75; [CWNA: Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 65.

A pre-design site visit in preparation for a predictive wireless LAN design is essential for gathering physical and environmental data about the site. The key tasks to be performed during such a visit include:

Evaluating Building Materials: Different materials (concrete, glass, wood, etc.) have varying effects on RF signal propagation. Understanding the materials present helps in accurately predicting how signals will behave within the environment.

Floor Plan Verification: Ensuring that the floor plan documents are an accurate representation of the actual building layout is crucial. Discrepancies between the floor plans and the physical layout can lead to inaccuracies in the predictive design.

The other options, while potentially valuable in other contexts, are not directly related to preparing for a predictive design:

Installing APs (option A) for testing co-channel interference is more aligned with an active site survey rather than a pre-design visit for a predictive design.

Collecting information about security requirements (option B) is important but is not directly related to the physical aspects of the site that would impact a predictive design.

Testing antenna types (option C) would typically be part of an active site survey or the actual deployment phase, not a pre-design visit for predictive modeling.

Therefore, option D is the correct answer, focusing on evaluating physical aspects crucial for accurate predictive modeling.

WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) is a security certification program developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance to secure wireless computer networks. It is important to understand the following:

WPA2 and the 802.11 Standard: While WPA2 is based on elements of the 802.11i amendment to the 802.11 standard, it is not itself a standard but rather a certification to ensure devices comply with certain security criteria, including the correct implementation of CCMP (Counter Mode Cipher Block Chaining Message Authentication Code Protocol) and AES (Advanced Encryption Standard).

CCMP/AES Implementation: WPA2 enhances the security of wireless networks by using CCMP for encryption, which is based on AES, a robust encryption algorithm. This represents a significant security improvement over WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) and WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) that used TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol).

WPA vs. WPA2: WPA was the interim security enhancement over WEP, utilizing TKIP for encryption. WPA2, however, moved to the more secure AES-based encryption method. Contrary to option C, WPA2 does not enhance security by using TKIP; it uses CCMP/AES.

Therefore, option B correctly describes WPA2 as a certification program ensuring devices properly implement the more secure CCMP/AES encryption methods.

 The most effective method for testing roaming in relation to 802.11 VoIP handsets is to place a call with the handset and move around the facility to test quality during roaming. This method allows you to evaluate the actual performance and user experience of VoIP calls over wireless networks, as well as identify any potential issues such as signal strength, interference, latency, jitter, packet loss, or handoff delays. A spectrum analyzer can only show you the RF activity during a VoIP call, but not how it affects the voice quality or roaming behavior. A protocol analyzer can capture the traffic generated when a laptop roams, but it cannot simulate the characteristics of a VoIP handset such as battery life, antenna design, codec support, or QoS features. A built-in roaming monitor is not a common feature in all VoIP handsets, and it may not provide accurate or comprehensive information about the roaming process. References: [CWNP Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 487; [Voice over Wireless LAN 4.1 Design Guide], page 6-19.

The beamwidth of an RF antenna is the angular measure of how wide the main lobe of radiation is. The main lobe is the area where the signal strength is highest and most concentrated. The beamwidth is calculated at the points where the main lobe decreases power by 3 dB, which means it is half of the maximum power. The beamwidth can be measured in both horizontal and vertical planes, depending on how the antenna is oriented. The horizontal beamwidth is also called azimuth, while the vertical beamwidth is also called elevation. The beamwidth patterns on an antenna polar chart indicate how the RF energy is distributed in different directions. References: 1, Chapter 2, page 66; 2, Section 2.3

A 5 GHz channel should be used for this AP because channels 1 and 6 are 2.4 GHz channels and they have no impact on the decision. The 5 GHz frequency band offers more non-overlapping channels than the 2.4 GHz frequency band, which reduces interference and improves performance. The 5 GHz frequency band also supports higher data rates and wider channel bandwidths than the 2.4 GHz frequency band, which increases capacity and throughput. The 5 GHz frequency band also has less interference from other devices and sources than the 2.4 GHz frequency band, which enhances reliability and quality of service. Therefore, it is recommended to use the 5 GHz frequency band for WLANs whenever possible. Channels 1 and 6 are two of the three non-overlapping channels in the 2.4 GHz frequency band (the other one is channel 11). They are used by a neighbor network in this scenario, but they do not affect the channel selection for this AP because they operate in a different frequency band than the 5 GHz frequency band. Channel 6 is not always best to use; it depends on the interference and congestion level in the environment. Channel 1 is not best to use because it has a lower frequency than channel 6; frequency does not determine channel quality or performance. Channel 11 is not best to use because it is also a 2.4 GHz channel and it may interfere with channels 1 and 6. References: CWNA-109 Study Guide, Chapter 4: Antenna Systems and Radio Frequency (RF) Components, page 113

PoE has different standards that define different power levels for PSEs and PDs. The original standard, IEEE 802.3af, defines two classes of PSEs: Class 3 (15.4 W) and Class 4 (30 W). The newer standard, IEEE 802.3at, also known as PoE+, defines four classes of PSEs: Class 0 (15.4 W), Class 1 (4 W), Class 2 (7 W), and Class 3 (12.95 W). The power level received at the PD is always lower than the power level provided by the PSE, due to cable resistance and power dissipation. The IEEE standards specify the minimum power level that must be received at the PD for each class of PSE. For a Class 4 PSE, the minimum power level received at the PD is 25.5 W910. References: CWNA-109 Study Guide, Chapter 7: Power over Ethernet (PoE), page 295; CWNA-109 Study Guide, Chapter 7: Power over Ethernet (PoE), page 289.

In the 2.4 GHz frequency band used for 802.11 wireless networks, the channel bandwidth is typically 20 MHz, but the actual frequency spread of each channel is about 22 MHz due to the modulation techniques used. This spread causes overlap between adjacent channels, which can lead to interference and degrade network performance. To avoid this, it's essential to use non-overlapping channels.

The three non-overlapping channels in the 2.4 GHz band are 1, 6, and 11. Each of these channels is spaced sufficiently apart to avoid interference with each other:

Channel 1: Centered at 2.412 GHz.

Channel 6: Centered at 2.437 GHz.

Channel 11: Centered at 2.462 GHz.

Given the options provided, option C (1 and 5) is the closest to a pair of non-overlapping channels, although in practice, channel 5 would still cause some interference with channel 1 due to the 22 MHz spread. The ideal choice for non-overlapping channels would be any two channels among 1, 6, and 11, but this is not an option provided. Therefore, within the given options, 1 and 5 are the best choice, understanding that in a real-world scenario, 1 and 6 or 6 and 11 would be preferred to avoid overlap.

The solution that you recommend is an Overlay WLAN monitoring solution. An Overlay WLAN monitoring solution is a system that uses dedicated sensors or probes to monitor the WLAN performance over time. The sensors are deployed throughout the WLAN coverage area and collect data on various metrics such as signal strength, noise level, channel utilization, interference, throughput, latency, packet loss, and QoS. The sensors send the data to a centralized server or appliance that analyzes the data and provides a single pane of glass for administration and monitoring of the solution. An Overlay WLAN monitoring solution can help to detect and troubleshoot WLAN issues, optimize WLAN performance, and generate reports and alerts. References: [CWNP Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 538; [CWNA: Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 508.

Elevators are a common building item that frequently causes RF shadow and must be accounted for in coverage plans. RF shadow is a term that describes an area where wireless signals are blocked or significantly weakened by an obstacle or an object that absorbs or reflects RF energy. RF shadow can cause lack of coverage or poor performance in a WLAN because wireless devices in those areas may not be able to communicate with access points or other devices. RF shadow can be mitigated by adjusting access point placement, antenna orientation, transmit power level, or channel selection to avoid or overcome the obstacle or object that causes it. Elevators are a common building item that frequently causes RF shadow because they are made of metal and they move up and down within a shaft. Metal is a material that has high attenuation and reflection values, which means it can block or bounce off wireless signals very effectively. A moving elevator can create dynamic RF shadow that changes depending on its position and direction. Therefore, elevators must be accounted for in coverage plans to ensure adequate WLAN coverage and performance throughout the facility. The other options are not common building items that frequently cause RF shadow or must be accounted for in coverage plans. Wooden doors are not likely to cause RF shadow because they are made of wood, which is a material that has low attenuation and reflection values, which means it can pass through or slightly weaken wireless signals. Carpeted floors are not likely to cause RF shadow because they are made of fabric, which is a material that has low attenuation and reflection values, which means it can pass through or slightly weaken wireless signals. Cubicle partitions are not likely to cause RF shadow because they are made of thin plastic or cardboard, which are materials that have low attenuation and reflection values, which means they can pass through or slightly weaken wireless signals. References: CWNA-109 Study Guide, Chapter 13: Wireless LAN Site Surveys - Types & Processes , page 433

A VoIP phone is least likely to be a POE PSE of the devices listed. POE stands for Power over Ethernet, which is a technology that allows devices to receive both power and data over a single Ethernet cable. A POE PSE stands for Power Sourcing Equipment, which is a device that provides power to other devices over Ethernet. A POE PD stands for Powered Device, which is a device that receives power from a PSE over Ethernet. A midspan multi-port injector, a switch, and a midspan injector are examples of POE PSEs, as they can supply power to multiple devices over Ethernet cables. A VoIP phone is an example of a POE PD, as it can receive power from a PSE over an Ethernet cable. However, some VoIP phones can also act as POE PSEs for other devices, such as IP cameras or wireless access points, but this is not very common. References: CWNA-109 Study Guide, Chapter 8: Wireless LAN Access Points, page 2411

Discovering the scale of the problem is the next logical step in the troubleshooting process after identifying the problem of poor wireless connections on the third floor of a building under your administration. Troubleshooting is a systematic process of finding and resolving problems or issues in a network or a system. Troubleshooting usually follows a general methodology that consists of several steps or phases, such as:

Identifying the problem: This step involves defining and describing the problem clearly and accurately based on the symptoms and evidence observed or reported by users or administrators. For example, in this case, the problem is that three individuals have reported poor wireless connections on the third floor of a building.

Discovering the scale of the problem: This step involves determining how widespread and severe the problem is by gathering more information and data from different sources and perspectives. For example, in this case, this step could involve checking if other users or devices on the third floor or other floors are experiencing similar issues, verifying if there are any changes or updates in the network configuration or environment that could affect the wireless connections, testing if there are any differences in performance or quality between different access points or channels on the third floor, etc.

Performing corrective actions: This step involves applying possible solutions or fixes to resolve or mitigate the problem based on logical reasoning and analysis. For example, in this case, this step could involve adjusting the output power or channel assignment of the access points on the third floor, relocating or reorienting some access points or antennas to improve coverage or reduce interference, updating or replacing some faulty or outdated hardware or software components, etc.

Verifying the solution: This step involves confirming that the problem is solved or improved by testing and monitoring the network performance and user satisfaction after applying corrective actions. For example, in this case, this step could involve measuring and comparing the signal strength and throughput of wireless connections on the third floor before and after performing corrective actions, asking for feedback from users who reported poor wireless connections to see if their issues are resolved or reduced, etc.

Creating a plan of action or escalating the problem: This step involves documenting and reporting the problem and its solution for future reference and improvement purposes. It also involves deciding whether to close or escalate the problem depending on its status and severity. For example, in this case, this step could involve creating a report that summarizes what was done to troubleshoot and fix poor wireless connections on the third floor with relevant data and evidence to support it. It could also involve escalating poor wireless connections to higher-level administrators if they persist or worsen despite performing corrective actions.

 This is because the passphrase for WPA2-Personal is case-sensitive and must match exactly on both the AP and the client. If the passphrase is entered incorrectly on the client, the client will not be able to authenticate with the AP and connect to the network. The AP that covers the problem area is not likely to require a firmware update, fail, or be improperly configured, as it is online and works with other clients that have the correct passphrase. To troubleshoot this issue, you can check the passphrase settings on the clients and make sure they match with the AP. You can also try to reconnect the clients to the network or reboot them if necessary. For more information on how to configure WPA2-Personal on your router

The CWNA Official Study Guide (CWNA-109), Chapter 8: Troubleshooting and Spectrum Analysis, explains that hidden node problems occur when two or more client stations cannot hear each other but can both communicate with the same access point. This leads to collisions at the AP because the clients transmit simultaneously without sensing each other’s signals.

“Hidden node problems can often be identified in a protocol analyzer by observing excessive retransmissions from specific client stations. These retransmissions occur because the station’s frames are not acknowledged due to collisions caused by other stations that the transmitter cannot hear.”

— CWNA-108 Study Guide, Chapter 8, Hidden Node Problem Analysis, p. 393–395

Therefore, when analyzing for a hidden node issue, you will typically observe:

Retransmitted frames from multiple STAs.

Higher retry counts for affected stations compared to others.

Hence, the correct answer is C. Retransmitted frames from multiple STAs with higher retry counts than other STAs.

The BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier) is typically mapped to an AP’s MAC address if a single BSS is implemented. The BSSID is a unique identifier that distinguishes one BSS from another within the same RF medium. It is usually derived from the MAC address of the AP’s radio interface, but it can also be manually configured or randomly generated by some vendors. The BSSID is used by client stations to associate with an AP and to send and receive frames within a BSS. References: , Chapter 1, page 24; , Section 1.2

Wireless bridging is a WLAN technology role that allows two or more networks to be connected wirelessly over a distance. A wireless bridge consists of two or more APs that are configured to operate in bridge mode and use directional antennas to establish a point-to-point or point-to-multipoint link. Wireless bridging can support high data rates and is suitable for scenarios where running cables is impractical or expensive. To create a wireless link between two buildings on a single campus that supports at least 150 Mbps data rates, wireless bridging is an appropriate solution678. References: CWNA-109 Study Guide, Chapter 6: Wireless LAN Devices and Topologies, page 271; CWNA-109 Study Guide, Chapter 6: Wireless LAN Devices and Topologies, page 265; Wi-Fi Wireless Bridging Explained.

MU-MIMO capabilities of the bridges are not a factor considered when calculating the Link Budget for an outdoor point-to-point WLAN bridge link. The Link Budget is a calculation of the expected signal strength at the receiver based on various factors that affect the RF transmission. Some of these factors are operating frequency, transmit power, receive antenna gain, free space path loss, cable loss, connector loss, and environmental loss. MU-MIMO stands for Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output, which is a technology that allows multiple devices to communicate simultaneously using multiple spatial streams. MU-MIMO is not relevant for a point-to-point link, where there are only two devices involved. References: 1, Chapter 2, page 59; 2, Section 2.2

A POE device that requires 47 W of power should use the 802.3bt specification. This is because 802.3bt is the latest POE standard that supports up to 90 W of power delivery over four pairs of wires in an Ethernet cable. The previous POE standards, such as 802.3af and 802.3at, only support up to 15.4 W and 30 W of power delivery over two pairs of wires in an Ethernet cable, respectively. Therefore, they are not sufficient for powering a device that requires 47 W of power. The 802.11at specification does not exist; it is a typo or confusion with the 802.3at specification. References: CWNA-109 Study Guide, Chapter 8: Wireless LAN Access Points, page 2431

Weak signal strength is the likely cause of the low data rate issue for the client that has a signal strength of -84 dBm and a noise floor of -96 dBm. The client is an 802.11ac client and connects to an 802.11ac AP. Both the client and AP are 2x2:2 devices. Signal strength is the measure of how strong the RF signal is at the receiver. Signal strength can affect the reliability and performance of the wireless connection, as well as the data rate and throughput of the traffic. The higher the signal strength, the better the signal quality and the higher the data rate. The lower the signal strength, the worse the signal quality and the lower the data rate.

The data rate of an 802.11ac connection depends on several factors, such as channel bandwidth, modulation and coding scheme (MCS), spatial streams, guard interval, and beamforming. However, these factors are also influenced by the signal strength, as they require a certain signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) to operate properly. SNR is the ratio of the signal strength to the noise floor, which is the measure of the background noise or interference in the RF environment. The higher the SNR, the more robust and efficient the communication. The lower the SNR, the more prone and vulnerable to errors and retries.

According to the CWNA Official Study Guide , Table 3.7, page 112, an 802.11ac connection with a channel bandwidth of 80 MHz, an MCS of 9, two spatial streams, a short guard interval, and no beamforming can achieve a maximum data rate of 867 Mbps. However, this data rate requires a minimum SNR of 30 dB to maintain a sufficient signal quality. If the signal strength is -84 dBm and the noise floor is -96 dBm, then the SNR is only 12 dB (-84 dBm - (-96 dBm) = 12 dB), which is far below the required SNR for this data rate. Therefore, the data rate will drop significantly to match the lower SNR and signal quality.

To solve this problem, the signal strength should be increased to improve the SNR and data rate. This can be done by adjusting the output power or channel assignment of the AP or client, relocating or reorienting some APs or antennas to reduce attenuation or interference, updating or replacing some faulty or outdated hardware or software components, etc. References: , Chapter 3, page 112; , Section 3.2

Patch and panel antennas are directional antenna types that are commonly used by indoor Wi-Fi devices in a MIMO multiple spatial stream implementation. These antennas have a flat rectangular shape and can be mounted on walls or ceilings to provide coverage in a specific direction. They have a moderate gain and a relatively wide beamwidth, making them suitable for multipath environments where signals can reflect off different surfaces and create multiple spatial streams. Patch and panel antennas can also support polarization diversity, which means they can transmit and receive both horizontally and vertically polarized waves, increasing the MIMO performance. References: 1, Chapter 2, page 72; 2, Section 2.4