CWNA-109 Questions and Answers

The device in the bridge implementation that acts as the 802.1X Authenticator is the root bridge. The root bridge is the bridge that connects to the wired network and acts as the central point for all other bridges in the point-to-multipoint topology. The root bridge authenticates the non-root bridges using 802.1X/EAP and forwards their authentication requests to the RADIUS server. The non-root bridges act as the 802.1X Supplicants and use EAP methods such as EAP-TLS or EAP-PEAP to authenticate with the root bridge. References: [CWNP Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: ExamCWNA-109], page 459; [Cisco Aironet Wireless Bridges FAQ], question 29.

TWT is the feature of 802.11ax (HE) that is managed with beacon and trigger frames and is primarily a power management method, but also provides more efficient access to the channel used within a BSS. TWT stands for target wake time, which is a mechanism that allows an access point and a client device to negotiate and schedule specific times for data transmission and reception. This enables the client device to enter a low-power sleep mode when it is not expected to communicate with the access point, which saves battery life and reduces power consumption. TWT also reduces contention and interference on the channel used within a BSS, as it coordinates the transmissions of multiple client devices and avoids collisions. TWT is managed with beacon and trigger frames, which are two types of management frames that are used to announce and initiate data exchanges. A beacon frame is a frame that is periodically sent by an access point to advertise its presence, capabilities, and parameters to client devices. A trigger frame is a frame that is sent by an access point or a client device to request or initiate a data transmission with another device. BSS color, UL-MU-MIMO, and OFDMA are other features of 802.11ax (HE) that are not primarily power management methods, but rather performance enhancement methods. BSS color is a feature that assigns a color code to each BSS to differentiate it from other BSSs that use the same channel. This reduces interference and improves spatial reuse of the channel. UL-MU-MIMO is a feature that allows an access point to receive multiple simultaneous transmissions from different client devices using multiple spatial streams. This increases capacity and throughput of the uplink direction. OFDMA is a feature that divides a channel into smaller subchannels called resource units (RUs) that can be allocated to different devices for concurrent transmissions. This increases efficiency and flexibility of the channel utilization. References: CWNA-109 Study Guide, Chapter 10: Wireless LAN Operation, page 323

Impedance is the measure of opposition to the flow of alternating current (AC) in a circuit. Impedance mismatch occurs when the impedance of the radio does not match the impedance of the antenna or the cable. This causes some of the transmitted or received signal to be reflected back, resulting in a loss of power and efficiency. The voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) is a metric that indicates the amount of impedance mismatch in a transmission line. A higher VSWR means a higher impedance mismatch and a lower signal quality. A VSWR of 1:1 is ideal, meaning there is no impedance mismatch and no reflected power. A VSWR of 2:1 means that for every 2 units of forward power, there is 1 unit of reflected power12.

The other options are not correct because they do not affect the VSWR in RF cables. A high gain yagi antenna or a high gain parabolic dish antenna can increase the signal strength and directionality, but they do not cause impedance mismatch in the cable. Radio output power above 100 mW but below 400 mW is within the acceptable range for most WLAN devices and does not cause excessive VSWR in the cable3.

References: 1:CWNA-109Official Study Guide, page 77 2: VSWR 3:CWNA-109Official Study Guide, page 81

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. Oneof 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: ExamCWNA-109], page 133; [CWNA: Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: ExamCWNA-109], page 123.

OFDM is a modulation method that divides the channel bandwidth into multiple subcarriers, each carrying a single data symbol. This allows for higher data rates and more robust transmissions in multipath environments. OFDM was first introduced inthe 802.11a standard, which operates in the 5 GHz band and supports data rates up to 54 Mbps. Later, the 802.11g standard adopted OFDM for the 2.4 GHz band, and the 802.11n and 802.11ac standards enhanced OFDM with features such as MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output), channel bonding, and higher-order modulation schemes to achieve data rates up to 600 Mbps and 6.9 Gbps, respectively. These standards are collectively known as the ERP (Extended Rate PHY), HT (High Throughput), and VHT (Very High Throughput) PHYs . References: [CWNA-109 Study Guide], Chapter 4: Radio Frequency Signal and Antenna Concepts, page 163; [CWNA-109Study Guide], Chapter 4: Radio Frequency Signal and Antenna Concepts, page 157.

When performing a post-deployment validation survey for voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi), an action that must be performed is Application analysis with an active phone call on a VoWiFi handset. Application analysis is a method of testing the performance of a specific application over the WLAN by measuring parameters such as throughput, latency, jitter, packet loss, MOS score, and R-value. Application analysis with an active phone call on a VoWiFi handset can help to evaluate the quality of service (QoS) and user experience of VoWiFi calls over the WLAN. It can also help to identify any issues or bottlenecks that may affect VoWiFi calls such as interference, roaming delays, or insufficient coverage. References: [CWNP Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: ExamCWNA-109], page 549; [CWNA: Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: ExamCWNA-109], page 519.

An IEEE 802.11 amendment is a proposed change or addition to the existing 802.11 standard, which defines the specifications and protocols for wireless LANs. An amendment goes through several stages of development, such as draft, sponsor ballot, and final approval, before it is ratified by the IEEE Standards Association and becomes part of the standard. Until then, it has no official impact on the standard, although some vendors may release products based on draft amendments to gain a competitive edge or to influence the final outcome of the amendment . References: [CWNA-109 Study Guide], Chapter 1: Overview of Wireless Standards, Organizations, and Fundamentals, page 25; [CWNA-109Study Guide], Chapter 1: Overview of Wireless Standards, Organizations, and Fundamentals, page 23; [IEEE website], IEEE-SA Standards Development Process.

TVHT stands for Television Very High Throughput and it is a PHY defined by the 802.11af amendment. It uses the TV white space (TVWS) spectrum in the VHF and UHF bands between 54 and 790 MHz, which are not in use by broadcast video signals at the time. It can provide long-range and low-power connectivity for WLAN devices.

 The frame type that is used to reserve the wireless medium for the transmission of high data rate frames that may not be understood by all clients connected to the BSS is RTS. RTS stands for Request to Send and is a control frame that is sent by a station to request access to the medium for a specified duration. The RTS frame contains the source and destination MAC addresses, as well as a Network Allocation Vector (NAV) value that indicates how long the medium will be occupied. The destination station responds with a Clear to Send (CTS) frame that echoes the NAV value and grants permission to the source station. All other stations in the BSS hear either the RTS or CTS frame and update their NAV timers accordingly, deferring their transmissions until the medium is free. The RTS/CTS mechanism can be used to prevent hidden node problems, reduce collisions, and protect high data rate frames that use features such as 802.11n or 802.11ac that may not be compatible with legacy stations. ACK, Beacon, and PS-Poll are not used to reserve the medium for high data rate frames. References: [CWNP Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: ExamCWNA-109], page 112; [CWNA: Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: ExamCWNA-109], page 102.

It is a channel that may require DFS when used is an important fact that should be considered about channel 128. Channel 128 is a 5 GHz frequency band 20 MHz channel that has a center frequency of 5.64 GHz. Channel 128 is one of the channels that are subject to DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) rules, which require Wi-Fi devices to monitor and avoid using channels that are occupied by radar systems or other primary users. DFS is a feature that is defined in the IEEE 802.11h amendment and is mandated by some regulatory bodies, such as the FCC and the ETSI, to protect the licensed users of the 5 GHz band from interference by unlicensed Wi-Fi devices. DFS works by using a mechanism called channel availability check (CAC), which requires Wi-Fi devices to scan a channel for a certain period of time before using it. If a radar signal is detected during the CAC or while using the channel, the Wi-Fi devices must switch to another channel that is free from radar interference.

When configuring an access point to use channel 128, it is important to consider the implications of DFS rules, such as:

• The access point must support DFS and comply with the local regulations and standards that apply to DFS channels.
• The access point may experience delays or interruptions in its operation due to CAC or channel switching.
• The access point may have limited channel selection or availability due to radar interference or other Wi-Fi devices using DFS channels.
• The access point may have compatibility or interoperability issues with some client devices that do not support DFS or use different DFS parameters.
• The access point may have performance or quality issues due to co-channel or adjacent-channel interference from other Wi-Fi devices using non-DFS channels.

Therefore, it is advisable to use channel 128 only when necessary and after performing a thorough site survey and spectrum analysis to determine the best channel for the access point. References: 1, Chapter 3, page 117; 2, Section 3.2

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: ExamCWNA-109], page 538; [CWNA: Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: ExamCWNA-109], page 508.

The factors that will have the most significant impact on the amount of wireless bandwidth available to each station within a BSS are:

• The number of client stations associated to the BSS
• The presence of co-located (10m away) access points on non-overlapping channels

The number of client stations associated to the BSS affects the wireless bandwidth because each station shares the same channel and medium with other stations in the same BSS. The more stations there are, the more contention and collision there will be for the channel access, which reduces thethroughput and efficiency of the wireless communication. The wireless bandwidth available to each station depends on how the access point allocates the channel resources and how the stations use the channel time. For example, if the access point uses a round-robin scheduling algorithm, each station will get an equal share of the channel time regardless of its data rate or traffic demand. However, if the access point uses a proportional fair scheduling algorithm, each station will get a share of the channel time that is proportional to its data rate and traffic demand, which may result in higher or lower bandwidth for different stations.

The presence of co-located (10m away) access points on non-overlapping channels affects the wireless bandwidth because even though they use different channels, they may still cause interference and noise to each other due to channel leakage or imperfect filtering. The interference and noise can degrade the signal quality and SNR of the wireless communication, which reduces the data rate and throughput of the wireless communication. The wireless bandwidth available to each station depends on how well the access point and the station can cope with the interference and noise from other channels. For example, if the access point and the station support dynamic frequency selection (DFS) or adaptive radio management (ARM), they can switch to a less congested channel or adjust their output power or antenna gain to avoid or minimize interference from other channels.

References:1, Chapter 3, page 94;2, Section 3.2

In a public Wi-Fi hotspot, like the one Lynne runs in his hotel, ensuring customer security against active attacks is crucial. Active attacks involve unauthorized access, eavesdropping, or manipulation of the network traffic. To mitigate such threats, an effective and practical step is:

• Station-to-Station Traffic Blocking: Also known as client isolation, this feature prevents direct communication between devices connected to the Wi-Fi network. By enabling this on the access points, Lynne can significantly decrease the likelihood of active attacks like man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, where an attacker intercepts and possibly alters the communication between two parties.

The other options, while beneficial for network security, might not be as straightforward or practical for Lynne's situation:

• Network Access Control (NAC)requires a more complex infrastructure and management, which might not be ideal for a small hotel setup.
• Implementing an SSL VPNadds an extra layer of security but might complicate the login process for users, potentially affecting the user experience.
• Requiring EAP-FAST authenticationprovides secure authentication but may not be feasible for transient customers who expect quick and easy network access.

Therefore, enabling station-to-station traffic blocking is a practical and efficient measure that Lynne can implement to enhance customer security on the Wi-Fi network.

References:

• CWNA Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: ExamCWNA-109, by David D. Coleman and David A. Westcott.
• Best practices for securing a wireless network in a public hotspot environment.

Sensors should be deployed in critical areas where WLAN performance must be high for best results when using a WLAN monitoring solution that utilizes distributed sensor devices. A WLAN monitoring solution is a system that collects, analyzes, and reports on the status and performance of a WLAN. A WLAN monitoring solution can use different methods to gather data from the WLAN, such as embedded software agents, external hardware probes, or distributed sensor devices. Distributed sensor devices are dedicated devices that are deployed throughout the WLAN coverage area to monitor the wireless traffic and environment. Distributed sensor devices can perform various functions, such as scanning the spectrum, capturing wireless frames, measuring signal quality, detecting rogue access points, testing connectivity, and generating alerts. Distributed sensor devices can provide more accurate and comprehensive data than other methods, but they also require more planning and deployment costs. Therefore, it is important to deploy sensors strategically in critical areas where WLAN performance must be high, such as high-density zones, high-priority applications, or high-security locations. By deploying sensors in critical areas, the WLAN monitoring solution can ensure optimal WLAN performance and reliability in those areas and identify and resolve any issues or problems that may arise. The other options are not the best places to deploy sensors for best results. Deploying sensors in switching closets is not effective because sensors need to be close to the wireless medium to monitor it properly. Deploying sensors every 5 meters and alongside each AP is not efficient because sensors may overlap or interfere with each other and cause unnecessary redundancy or complexity. Deploying sensors above the plenum oneach floor is not practical because sensors may not capture the wireless traffic and environment accurately due to attenuation or reflection from the ceiling materials or objects. References: CWNA-109 Study Guide, Chapter 14: Troubleshooting Wireless LANs, page 4831

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

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

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: ExamCWNA-109], page 374; [CWNA: Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: ExamCWNA-109], page 364.

In the 802.11ax (High Efficiency, HE) amendment, one of the key features introduced is BSS (Basic Service Set) Coloring. This feature is designed to mitigate issues arising from overlapping BSSs (OBSS), which can lead to contention and interference in dense wireless environments. BSS Coloring works by:

• Assigning a "color" (a small number) to each BSS: This helps devices differentiate between frames from their own BSS and those from neighboring BSSs.
• Reducing Inter-BSS Interference: Devices can ignore frames from different BSSs (with a different "color") under certain conditions, reducing the impact of OBSS interference.
• Improving Spatial Reuse: By distinguishing between transmissions from different BSSs, devices can make more informed decisions about when to transmit, improving the efficiency of spatial reuse and reducing unnecessary contention.

This feature directly impacts design decisions related to AP placement and the spacing between same-channel BSS cells, as it allows for closer placement of APs on the same channel without significantly increasing interference, thus improving overall network capacity and efficiency.

The other options, while features of 802.11ax, do not directly pertain to reducing overlapping BSS contention in the same manner:

• TWT (Target Wake Time)optimizes device sleep schedules to conserve power.
• Uplink MU-MIMOenhances uplink data transmission capabilities but doesn't specifically address OBSS contention.
• 6 GHz Band Supportintroduces new spectrum for Wi-Fi use but is not a feature aimed at reducing OBSS contention within the 802.11ax framework.

Therefore, the correct answer is B, BSS Color.

References:

• IEEE 802.11ax-2021: Enhancements for High Efficiency WLAN.
• CWNA Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: ExamCWNA-109, by David D. Coleman and David A. Westcott.

The least expensive solution available for increasing throughput for these users without implementing configuration options that are not recommended is to use a 40 MHz channel on the 5 GHz radio. This solution can double the channel bandwidth and increase the data rates for the 5 GHz capable 802.11ac clients. Using a 40 MHz channel on the 5 GHz radio is also less likely to cause co-channel interference or overlap with other channels than using a 40 MHz channel on the 2.4 GHz radio, which has only three non-overlapping channels. Using a 160 MHz channel on the 5 GHzradio may provide even higher throughput, but it may also consume too much of the available spectrum and cause more interference with other devices or networks. Installing a second AP in the coverage area may also improve the throughput, but it may require additional costs and configuration. References: [CWNP Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: ExamCWNA-109], page 216; [CWNA: Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: ExamCWNA-109], page 206.

The response that you should give to your manager’s suggestion of implementing the security practices of disabling the broadcasting of the SSID in Beacons and configuring the access points not to respond to Probe Request frames that have a null SSID field is that any 802.11 protocol analyzer can see the SSID in clear text in frames other than Beacons frames. This negates any security benefit of trying to hide the SSID in Beacons and Probe Response frames. The SSID (Service Set Identifier) is a human-readable name that identifies a WLAN and allows users to connect to it. The SSID is transmitted in clear text in several types of 802.11 frames, such as Beacon frames, Probe Request frames, Probe Response frames, Association Request frames, Association Response frames, Reassociation Request frames, and Reassociation Response frames. Some people may think that hiding the SSID can improve the security of the WLAN by making it invisible to potential intruders. However, this is not true, as hiding the SSID only removes it from Beacon frames and Probe Response frames that have a null SSID field. The SSID is still present in other types of frames that can be easily captured and analyzed by any 802.11 protocol analyzer or wireless scanner tool. Therefore, hiding the SSID does not provide any real security benefit and may even cause some compatibility and performance issues for legitimate users. References: 1, Chapter 4, page 133; 2, Section 4.1

The tool described is a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) scanner tool. WLAN scanner tools are designed to provide information about the wireless networks in a given area, including:

• Signal Strength: They show the signal strength of all access points (APs) in the vicinity, which is crucial for understanding the coverage area and potential interference.
• SSID Visualization: These tools display the SSIDs (Service Set Identifiers) of available networks, allowing users to identify different wireless networks easily.
• Security Settings Information: WLAN scanner tools often show the type of security implemented on each network, such as WPA2, WEP, etc.
• Frequency Band Filtering: They allow users to filter and view networks based on the frequency band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz), which is useful for analyzing network distribution and planning.

While protocol analyzers, site survey utilities, and spectrum analyzers are also used in wireless networking, their functions are distinct from what is described:

• Protocol Analyzersare more sophisticated and are used to capture and analyze network traffic.
• Site Survey Utilitiesare used to map signal coverage and plan network layouts, often with more advanced features for detailed site surveys.
• Spectrum Analyzersprovide a detailed view of the frequency spectrum and non-Wi-Fi interference but don't typically focus on SSIDs or security settings.

Thus, the correct answer is D, a WLAN scanner tool, based on the functionalities described.

References:

• CWNA Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam PW0-105, by David D. Coleman and David A. Westcott.
• Tools and techniques for wireless network analysis and troubleshooting.

The FCS (Frame Check Sequence) is appended to the end of each 802.11 data frame after the payload. The FCS is a 4-byte field that contains a CRC-32 (Cyclic Redundancy Check) value that is calculated based on the contents of the MAC header and the payload of the frame. The FCS is used by the receiver to verify the integrity of the frame and to detect any errors or corruption that may have occurred during transmission. If the FCS does not match with the expected value, the frame is discarded by the receiver. References: , Chapter 4, page 139; , Section 4.2

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

CCI is still a possibility in this network because the client devices connected to one of the channel 1 APs will transmit frames that reach the other channel 1 AP as well as clients connected to the other channel 1 AP. CCI stands for co-channel interference, which is a type of interference that occurs when two or more devices transmit on the same channel within range of each other. CCI reduces performance and capacity because it causes contention and collisions on the wireless medium, which leads to retransmissions and delays. CCI can be mitigated by increasing physical separation between devices using the same channel or byreducing transmit power levels to limit coverage area. In this scenario, three access points are used within a facility. One access point is on channel 11 and the other two are on channel 1. The two access points using channel 1 are on either side of the access point using channel 11 and sufficiently apart so that they do not interfere with each other when they transmit frames. However, this does not prevent CCI from occurring between their client devices that are connected on channel 1. For example, if a client device connected to one of the channel 1 APs sends a frame to another device on the wired network or on another wireless network (such as an Internet server or a VoIP phone), that frame will be heard by both channel 1 APs as well as any other client devices connected to either of them on channel 1. This will cause CCI because these devices will have to wait for the channel to be clear before they can transmit their own frames. The answer that CCI only occurs in the 5 GHz frequency band is incorrect; CCI can occur in any frequency band where devices use the same channel. The answer that channel 11 loops around and causes CCI with channel 1 is also incorrect; channel 11 does not loop around and it operates in a different frequency band than channel 1. References: CWNA-109 Study Guide, Chapter 5: Radio Frequency Signal and Antenna Concepts, page 147

The likely problem that causes this scenario is faulty drivers. Drivers are software components that enable the communication between the operating system and the hardware devices, such as the wireless adapters. Faulty drivers can cause various issues with the wireless connectivity, such as not detecting or connecting to certain networks, dropping connections, or reducing performance. Faulty drivers can be caused by corrupted files, outdated versions, incompatible settings, or hardware defects. To fix faulty drivers, you can try to update, reinstall, or roll back the drivers, or contact the manufacturer for support. Interference from non-Wi-Fi sources, DoS attack, or interference from other WLANs are not likely to cause this scenario, as they would affect all devices in the same area, not just the new laptops. References: [CWNP Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: ExamCWNA-109], page 562; [CWNA: Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: ExamCWNA-109], page 532.

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-109Study Guide, Chapter 7: Power over Ethernet (PoE), page 289.

 A Wi-Fi scanner is a basic tool that can be used to easily locate areas of high co-channel interference. A Wi-Fi scanner is a software application that can run on a laptop, tablet, smartphone, or other device that has a Wi-Fi adapter. A Wi-Fi scanner can scan the wireless environment and display information about the detected access points and client stations, such as their SSID, BSSID, channel, signal strength, security, and data rate. A Wi-Fi scanner can also show the channel utilization and overlap of different access points, which can indicate the level of co-channel interference. Co-channel interference is a type of interference that occurs when multiple access points use the same or adjacent channels within the same coverage area. Co-channel interference can reduce the throughput and performance of the WLAN, as the access points and client stations have to contend for the channel access and avoid collisions. To identify areas of high co-channel interference, a Wi-Fi scanner can be used to measure the signal strength and channel utilization of different access points and compare them with a threshold or a baseline. Alternatively, a Wi-Fi scanner can also use a color-coded heat map to visualize the co-channel interference level in different locations. References: 1, Chapter 7, page 279; 2, Section 4.3

A BSS (Basic Service Set) is a WLAN use case that represents an 802.11-based network that uses an AP (Access Point) and has several connecting clients. The AP acts as a central point of coordination and communication for the clients, which can include iPhones, iPads, laptops, desktops, or any other devices that have Wi-Fi capabilities. A BSS can be identified by a unique BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier), which is usually the MAC address of the AP’s radio interface. A BSS can also be associated with an SSID (Service Set Identifier), which is a human-readable name that identifies the network. References: , Chapter 1, page 23; , Section 1.1

Calibrating the floor plan is what you must do before gathering survey data after the floor plan is imported when using a site survey tool for post-implementation validation. A site survey tool is a software application that can run on a laptop, tablet, smartphone, or other device that has a Wi-Fi adapter and a GPS receiver. A site survey tool can scan the wireless environment and collect information about the detected access points and client stations, such as their SSID, BSSID, channel, signal strength, security, and data rate. A site survey tool can also measure and display various metrics of network performance, such as throughput, jitter, packet loss, delay, and SNR. A site survey tool can also use a floor plan to visualize the wirelesscoverage and quality in different locations on a map. A floor plan is an image file that shows the layout and dimensions of a building or an area where the WLAN is deployed. A floor plan can be imported from various sources, such as a CAD file, a PDF file, an image file, or a Google Maps screenshot. After importing a floor plan into a site survey tool, it is necessary to calibrate the floor plan before gathering survey data. Calibrating the floor plan means adjusting the scale and orientation of the floor plan to match the actual size and direction of the area. Calibrating the floor plan can be done by using a reference point or a reference line that has a known distance or angle in the real world. Calibrating the floor plan ensures that the survey data is accurate and consistent with the physical environment. References: 1, Chapter 7, page 290; 2, Section 4.3

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

In the 802.11 wireless networking protocols, when a client station sends a broadcast probe request frame with a wildcard SSID (Service Set Identifier), it is essentially asking for any nearby access points (APs) to identify themselves. The way APs respond to such a probe request is governed by standard 802.11 behavior, which includes:

• Probe Request Handling: Upon receiving a broadcast probe request, each AP that can serve the client prepares a probe response. The response includes information about the AP, such as its SSID, supported data rates, and other capabilities.
• Contention-Based Mechanism: Wireless networks use a contention-based mechanism (CSMA/CA - Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance) for medium access. Each AP must wait for a clear channel and win the contention process before it can send its probe response.
• Independent Responses: Each AP operates independently in responding to the probe request. There is no coordination between APs to decide which one responds first or at all, leading to multiple APs sending probe responses, each after winning the contention for the medium.

Option A accurately reflects this process, indicating that each AP prepares and sends a probe response in turn, contingent upon winning the medium contention. The other options suggest mechanisms (such as coordination with a DHCP server or simultaneous responses after a Short Interframe Space (SIFS)) that do not align with standard 802.11 procedures for handling broadcast probe requests.

References:

• IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications.
• CWNA Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam PW0-105, by David D. Coleman and David A. Westcott.