- A
SSID: The network name broadcast by the access point to identify the wireless network.
The SSID (Service Set Identifier) is a human-readable name that identifies a wireless network. It is broadcast in beacon frames so clients can discover and select the network.
- B
BSSID: The MAC address of the access point's radio interface, used to uniquely identify the access point.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the BSSID is indeed the MAC address of the AP's radio, but the question asks for the term that matches 'network name'. The BSSID is not a network name; it is a hardware identifier.
- C
Channel: A specific frequency range used for wireless communication, such as 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz bands.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because a channel defines the frequency band for transmission, not the network name. The network name is the SSID.
- D
Beacon: A management frame sent periodically by the access point to announce the presence of the wireless network.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because a beacon is a frame type that carries the SSID and other information, but it is not the network name itself. The network name is the SSID contained within the beacon.
CCNA Network Infrastructure and Connectivity Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network infrastructure and connectivity. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Drag and drop the wireless terms on the left to the correct descriptions on the right.
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
SSID: The network name broadcast by the access point to identify the wireless network.
802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) uses OFDM and can bond channels up to 160 MHz, but operates exclusively in the 5 GHz band. 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) uses OFDMA for more efficient multi-user access and works in both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. WPA3-Personal secures pre-shared keys with SAE, replacing WPA2’s PSK, while WPA3-Enterprise uses 192-bit encryption and EAP for strong authentication. An autonomous AP functions standalone without a wireless controller.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
SSID: The network name broadcast by the access point to identify the wireless network.
Why this is correct
The SSID (Service Set Identifier) is a human-readable name that identifies a wireless network. It is broadcast in beacon frames so clients can discover and select the network.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
BSSID: The MAC address of the access point's radio interface, used to uniquely identify the access point.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the BSSID is indeed the MAC address of the AP's radio, but the question asks for the term that matches 'network name'. The BSSID is not a network name; it is a hardware identifier.
- ✗
Channel: A specific frequency range used for wireless communication, such as 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz bands.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because a channel defines the frequency band for transmission, not the network name. The network name is the SSID.
- ✗
Beacon: A management frame sent periodically by the access point to announce the presence of the wireless network.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because a beacon is a frame type that carries the SSID and other information, but it is not the network name itself. The network name is the SSID contained within the beacon.
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.
✓SSID: The network name broadcast by the access point to identify the wireless network.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
The SSID (Service Set Identifier) is a human-readable name that identifies a wireless network. It is broadcast in beacon frames so clients can discover and select the network.
✗BSSID: The MAC address of the access point's radio interface, used to uniquely identify the access point.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The BSSID is a MAC address, not a network name. It uniquely identifies the AP's radio, not the network itself.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse BSSID with SSID because both are identifiers, but BSSID is a Layer 2 address while SSID is a human-readable name.
✗Channel: A specific frequency range used for wireless communication, such as 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz bands.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Channels are about frequency allocation, not network identification. They are used to avoid interference and manage spectrum.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think 'channel' is a name because channels are often numbered and selected during setup, but they are not the network identifier.
✗Beacon: A management frame sent periodically by the access point to announce the presence of the wireless network.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Beacons are frames that advertise the network, but the term 'beacon' refers to the frame, not the name. The SSID is the actual network name.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may associate 'beacon' with the network name because beacons broadcast the SSID, leading to confusion between the container and the content.
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: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 200-301 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — This question tests Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: SSID: The network name broadcast by the access point to identify the wireless network. — 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) uses OFDM and can bond channels up to 160 MHz, but operates exclusively in the 5 GHz band. 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) uses OFDMA for more efficient multi-user access and works in both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. WPA3-Personal secures pre-shared keys with SAE, replacing WPA2’s PSK, while WPA3-Enterprise uses 192-bit encryption and EAP for strong authentication. An autonomous AP functions standalone without a wireless controller.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 200-301 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Last reviewed: Jun 6, 2026
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.
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