220-1201 Common Networking Hardware Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of common networking hardware. 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.
A customer complains that their wireless network is slow and frequently drops connections. They live in a densely populated apartment building. The technician checks the wireless router and sees it is using channel 1. What is the most likely cause of the 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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
There is interference from other wireless networks on the same channel
In a dense area, overlapping Wi-Fi channels cause interference. Channel 1 is commonly used, but if neighboring networks are also on channel 1 or 6, it can cause congestion. The correct answer is co-channel interference from neighboring networks. The technician should use a Wi-Fi analyzer to find a less congested channel.
Key principle: OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
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 router is too far from the devices
Why it's wrong here
Distance could cause weak signal, but the complaint is about speed and drops, not range; interference is more likely.
✗
The router's firmware is outdated
Why it's wrong here
Outdated firmware can cause issues, but it is less likely than interference in a dense area.
✓
There is interference from other wireless networks on the same channel
Why this is correct
In a dense apartment building, many networks overlap, causing co-channel interference that degrades performance and causes drops.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
5 GHz has less interference and is generally better; using 5 GHz would not cause the problem described.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: OSPF can fail even when IP connectivity looks correct
OSPF neighbour formation depends on matching areas, timers, network type, authentication and passive-interface behaviour. Do not choose an answer only because the devices can ping.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPF questions usually test the details that control adjacency and route selection. Read the neighbour state, area, router ID and interface configuration before deciding what is wrong.
KKey Concepts to Remember
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
Router ID selection can affect neighbour relationships and LSDB output.
OSPF cost influences the preferred path.
A route can appear in OSPF information but not become the installed route.
TExam Day Tips
→Check area mismatch first when OSPF adjacency fails.
→Review passive interfaces when a network is advertised but no neighbour forms.
→Use show ip ospf neighbor and show ip route clues carefully.
Key takeaway
OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 220-1201 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
Common Networking Hardware — This question tests Common Networking Hardware — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: There is interference from other wireless networks on the same channel — In a dense area, overlapping Wi-Fi channels cause interference. Channel 1 is commonly used, but if neighboring networks are also on channel 1 or 6, it can cause congestion. The correct answer is co-channel interference from neighboring networks. The technician should use a Wi-Fi analyzer to find a less congested channel.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 220-1201 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
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?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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