The answer is that the high error rate suggests possible co-channel interference or signal issues. This conclusion is drawn from the output where 1,500 errors out of 5,000 received packets yields a 30% error rate, which is critically high in a healthy wireless environment. The accompanying metrics—75% channel utilization, 30% interference, and a noise floor of -80 dBm—all point to a congested and noisy RF channel, where overlapping cells or non-Wi-Fi sources degrade performance. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this type of show ap stats interpretation tests your ability to correlate multiple RF health indicators rather than fixating on a single value; a common trap is to overlook the error-to-packet ratio and focus only on channel utilization. Remember the memory tip: “High errors plus high utilization equals co-channel frustration”—if both climb together, suspect overlapping BSSIDs or rogue interference.
CCNP Wireless Infrastructure Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of wireless infrastructure. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
A network engineer runs the following command on a Cisco WLC:
WLC# show ap stats ap-name AP-3
AP Statistics for AP-3
----------------------
Channel Utilization: 75%
Interference: 30%
Noise Floor: -80 dBm
Total Packets Received: 5000
Total Packets Sent: 4500
Total Errors: 1500
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The high error rate suggests possible co-channel interference or signal issues.
The output shows high channel utilization (75%), high interference (30%), and a relatively high noise floor (-80 dBm is noisy). The error rate is 1500 out of 5000 received, which is 30%, indicating a poor wireless environment.
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 AP is operating in a clean environment with low interference.
Why it's wrong here
Interference is 30% and noise floor is -80 dBm, which is high.
✓
The high error rate suggests possible co-channel interference or signal issues.
Why this is correct
30% error rate is high and indicates problems, likely from interference or noise.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The channel utilization is low, indicating spare capacity.
Why it's wrong here
75% utilization is high.
✗
The noise floor is excellent at -80 dBm.
Why it's wrong here
-80 dBm is considered a high noise floor (poor).
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 350-401 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 350-401 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.
Wireless Infrastructure — This question tests Wireless Infrastructure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The high error rate suggests possible co-channel interference or signal issues. — The output shows high channel utilization (75%), high interference (30%), and a relatively high noise floor (-80 dBm is noisy). The error rate is 1500 out of 5000 received, which is 30%, indicating a poor wireless environment.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Identify which 350-401 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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A network engineer runs the following command on a Cisco WLC:
WLC# show ap stats ap-name AP-1
AP Statistics for AP-1
----------------------
Channel Utilization: 45%
Interference: 10%
Noise Floor: -95 dBm
Total Packets Received: 15000
Total Packets Sent: 12000
Total Errors: 200
Based on this output, what can be concluded?
medium
A.The channel is heavily congested with utilization above 80%.
B.The noise floor is high, indicating potential interference.
C.The AP is experiencing a significant number of errors relative to packets received.
✓ D.The channel utilization is moderate and the noise floor is low.
Why D: The output shows channel utilization at 45%, which is moderate but not extremely high. The noise floor is -95 dBm, which is good (low noise). The error rate is 200 out of 15000 received, which is about 1.3%, acceptable.
Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
Question Discussion
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This 350-401 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 350-401 exam.
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