- A
The APs are not configured with the standby WLC's IP address as a backup controller.
Correct because APs must have the secondary WLC IP configured so they can fail over to it when the primary is unavailable.
- B
Clients must be configured to roam between WLCs, which is not supported in active/standby mode.
Why wrong: Incorrect because clients do not need to roam; APs handle the failover by rejoining the standby WLC.
- C
The SSID name must be different on the standby WLC to avoid conflicts.
Why wrong: Incorrect because the SSID should be the same to provide seamless service after failover.
- D
The APs must be rebooted after the active WLC fails to recognize the standby WLC.
Why wrong: Incorrect because APs automatically detect the failure and attempt to join the standby WLC if configured.
350-401 Wireless Infrastructure Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of wireless infrastructure. 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.
An engineer is configuring a Cisco 9800 WLC for high availability using a pair of WLCs in an active/standby configuration. The engineer configures the same SSID and security settings on both WLCs. However, when the active WLC fails, clients that were connected to the active WLC do not automatically reconnect to the standby WLC. What is the most likely cause?
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 not configured with the standby WLC's IP address as a backup controller.
The correct answer is that the APs are not configured to use the standby WLC as a backup. In a high availability setup, APs must be configured with both primary and secondary WLC IP addresses. The other options are incorrect: client roaming is not required for failover, SSID names can be the same, and APs do not need to be rebooted after failover if properly configured.
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 not configured with the standby WLC's IP address as a backup controller.
Why this is correct
Correct because APs must have the secondary WLC IP configured so they can fail over to it when the primary is unavailable.
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.
- ✗
Clients must be configured to roam between WLCs, which is not supported in active/standby mode.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because clients do not need to roam; APs handle the failover by rejoining the standby WLC.
- ✗
The SSID name must be different on the standby WLC to avoid conflicts.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the SSID should be the same to provide seamless service after failover.
- ✗
The APs must be rebooted after the active WLC fails to recognize the standby WLC.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because APs automatically detect the failure and attempt to join the standby WLC if configured.
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.
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Wireless Infrastructure practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-401 question test?
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 APs are not configured with the standby WLC's IP address as a backup controller. — The correct answer is that the APs are not configured to use the standby WLC as a backup. In a high availability setup, APs must be configured with both primary and secondary WLC IP addresses. The other options are incorrect: client roaming is not required for failover, SSID names can be the same, and APs do not need to be rebooted after failover if properly configured.
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.
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.
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 →
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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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