Question 1hardmultiple choice
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Question 42 of 1,052
hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
CCNA Practice Question: Notices that wireless clients in the 5 GHz band…
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of 200-301 exam topics. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Exhibit
WLC Configuration: (Cisco Controller) >show advanced 802.11a summary 802.11a Network -------------------------- Administrative State: ENABLED Operational State: UP Channel Width: 80 MHz Auto Channel Assignment: ENABLED Auto Power Assignment: ENABLED Current Channel Assignment: AP Name Slot Channel Power (dBm) AP-Office1 0 36 17 AP-Office2 0 40 17 AP-Office3 0 44 17 AP-Conference 0 149 17 AP-Lobby 0 153 17 Note: Channels 36, 40, 44 are non-overlapping in 20 MHz mode, but with 80 MHz channel width, they are all part of the same 80 MHz block (36-48).
A network engineer notices that wireless clients in the 5 GHz band are experiencing intermittent connectivity and slow throughput. The WLC shows a large number of retry packets and CRC errors. The engineer runs a spectrum analysis and sees overlapping channels with high utilization. Based on the WLC configuration output, what is the most likely cause of the performance issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
✓
The APs are using 80 MHz channel width, which causes overlapping channels when multiple APs are assigned different channels within the same 80 MHz block.
The root cause is that multiple APs are configured with 80 MHz channel width and are assigned different channels within the same 80 MHz block (36-48). With 80 MHz width, channels 36, 40, and 44 are actually overlapping because they are part of the same 80 MHz segment. This causes co-channel interference, leading to retries and CRC errors. The correct fix is to either reduce the channel width to 20 or 40 MHz, or ensure that APs using the same 80 MHz block are not placed in close proximity. Option B correctly identifies this issue. Option A is incorrect because the channels are not non-overlapping at 80 MHz. Option C is wrong because the power levels are all 17 dBm and consistent. Option D is incorrect because the issue is not due to DFS channels (149 and 153 are UNII-3, not DFS).
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The APs are using different channels, so there is no overlap. The issue is likely due to RF interference from non-Wi-Fi sources.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because with 80 MHz channel width, channels 36, 40, and 44 are overlapping as they belong to the same 80 MHz block.
- ✓
The APs are using 80 MHz channel width, which causes overlapping channels when multiple APs are assigned different channels within the same 80 MHz block.
Why this is correct
This correctly identifies the root cause: the 80 MHz channel width leads to overlapping channels, causing co-channel interference.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The power levels are set too high, causing excessive cell overlap and interference.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the power levels are all set to 17 dBm, which is a normal value and consistent across APs.
- ✗
The APs are using DFS channels that are subject to radar detection, causing periodic channel changes.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because channels 149 and 153 are in the UNII-3 band and are not DFS channels. DFS channels are in the UNII-2 and UNII-2e bands.
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.
✓The APs are using 80 MHz channel width, which causes overlapping channels when multiple APs are assigned different channels within the same 80 MHz block.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This correctly identifies the root cause: the 80 MHz channel width leads to overlapping channels, causing co-channel interference.
✗The APs are using different channels, so there is no overlap. The issue is likely due to RF interference from non-Wi-Fi sources.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The assumption that different channels are non-overlapping is false when using 80 MHz channel width.
✗The power levels are set too high, causing excessive cell overlap and interference.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The power levels are not the issue; the channel width and assignment are the problem.
✗The APs are using DFS channels that are subject to radar detection, causing periodic channel changes.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The channels used are not DFS, so radar detection is not the cause.
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?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 200-301 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The APs are using 80 MHz channel width, which causes overlapping channels when multiple APs are assigned different channels within the same 80 MHz block. — The root cause is that multiple APs are configured with 80 MHz channel width and are assigned different channels within the same 80 MHz block (36-48). With 80 MHz width, channels 36, 40, and 44 are actually overlapping because they are part of the same 80 MHz segment. This causes co-channel interference, leading to retries and CRC errors. The correct fix is to either reduce the channel width to 20 or 40 MHz, or ensure that APs using the same 80 MHz block are not placed in close proximity. Option B correctly identifies this issue. Option A is incorrect because the channels are not non-overlapping at 80 MHz. Option C is wrong because the power levels are all 17 dBm and consistent. Option D is incorrect because the issue is not due to DFS channels (149 and 153 are UNII-3, not DFS).
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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