CCNA Network Infrastructure and Connectivity Practice Question
A wireless client associates to an AP and successfully authenticates to the correct SSID, but it does not obtain an IP address. The WLC is running in local mode. What should the technician do next?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that DHCP issues are always server-side (Option A), when in reality the WLC's VLAN-to-interface mapping is a critical Layer 2 configuration that must be verified first in a wireless context.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Verify the VLAN mapping on the WLC for the client’s WLAN.
When a wireless client authenticates to the SSID but fails to obtain an IP address, the most likely cause is a VLAN mapping mismatch on the WLC. In local mode, the WLC maps the WLAN to a specific VLAN (via the interface or VLAN tag), and if that VLAN does not have a DHCP relay or is not trunked to the correct switch, the client's DHCP requests will never reach the DHCP server. This is a common Layer 2 connectivity issue that prevents IP address assignment even though authentication succeeds.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Check the DHCP server to ensure it has available leases.
Why it's wrong here
Checking the DHCP server is premature. If the client’s traffic is not reaching the server due to a VLAN mapping issue, the DHCP server itself will appear healthy. This step skips the local network configuration.
- ✗
Verify the AP’s operating channel for interference.
Why it's wrong here
Channel interference affects the physical and MAC layers. The client has already associated and authenticated, meaning RF connectivity is established. Interference would cause retries, disconnects, or throughput degradation, but it cannot block DHCP after a successful association. Since the client is attached to the WLC, the failure to obtain an IP address points to the wired-side VLAN mapping, not the air interface.
- ✓
Verify the VLAN mapping on the WLC for the client’s WLAN.
Why this is correct
In local mode, the WLC bridges client traffic to a specified VLAN. An incorrect or missing VLAN ID prevents the DHCP discovery from reaching the DHCP server. This step directly confirms whether the client’s traffic is placed on the correct subnet.
- ✗
Verify the WPA3 PSK on the client.
Why it's wrong here
WPA3 PSK validates the client during the authentication handshake. If the PSK were incorrect, the client would never reach the associated state; it would fail at the 802.11 authentication or the 4-way handshake. The scenario indicates successful authentication, so the PSK is already verified. Rechecking it is moot and does not address why the DHCP process is failing after the client is connected.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 200-301 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Verify the VLAN mapping on the WLC for the client’s WLAN.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
In local mode, the WLC bridges client traffic to a specified VLAN. An incorrect or missing VLAN ID prevents the DHCP discovery from reaching the DHCP server. This step directly confirms whether the client’s traffic is placed on the correct subnet.
✗Check the DHCP server to ensure it has available leases.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Troubleshooting at Layer 3 (IP) before verifying Layer 2 (VLAN) connectivity skips a fundamental step in the OSI model.
✗Verify the AP’s operating channel for interference.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Confuses a Layer 1 problem with a Layer 2/3 problem. The client’s association proves the RF link is functional.
✗Verify the WPA3 PSK on the client.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This investigates a condition that has already been ruled out (authentication succeeded) and does not address the IP assignment failure.
Analysis generated from the official 200-301blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Visual reference
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
IPv4 Addressing and Address Classes
Key term
DHCP server
A DHCP server is a network device or service that automatically assigns IP addresses and other network configuration parameters to devices on a network, eliminating the need for manual configuration.
Key term
WLAN
A wireless local area network (WLAN) links devices using radio waves instead of cables, typically based on IEEE 802.11 standards.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.