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220-1201 Practice Question: A small business has a single access point that…
A small business has a single access point that supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Employees report that their smartphones connect to the 2.4 GHz band, causing slow internet speeds. Which configuration change should the technician make to prioritize 5 GHz for capable devices?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common trap is to think that increasing 5 GHz transmit power or changing 2.4 GHz channels will fix client band preference, when the real solution is a client-steering mechanism like band steering.
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
✓
Enable band steering on the access point.
Band steering (also called client steering) is the correct solution because it actively encourages dual-band clients to connect to the less congested 5 GHz band by manipulating probe responses and beacon timing, without disabling the 2.4 GHz radio for legacy devices. This directly addresses the problem of smartphones preferring the 2.4 GHz band due to its stronger signal, while still allowing older 2.4 GHz-only devices to connect.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Disable the 2.4 GHz radio completely.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling the 2.4 GHz radio entirely would prevent any client devices that only support the 802.11b/g/n standards on that frequency from connecting to the network. This would severely limit connectivity for older smartphones, IoT devices, and some laptops, creating significant compatibility issues rather than optimizing performance for dual-band clients. It would effectively cut off a segment of the network's potential users.
- ✓
Enable band steering on the access point.
Why this is correct
Enabling band steering is an effective solution as it intelligently encourages dual-band client devices to connect to the less congested 5 GHz frequency band. This technology actively monitors client capabilities and signal strength, guiding compatible devices away from the often crowded 2.4 GHz band. This improves overall network performance, reduces interference, and optimizes throughput for all connected devices by balancing client distribution.
- ✗
Set the 2.4 GHz channel to a non-overlapping channel like 1, 6, or 11.
Why it's wrong here
While selecting non-overlapping channels (1, 6, or 11) on the 2.4 GHz band is a best practice for minimizing co-channel interference from neighboring Wi-Fi networks, it does not address the issue of client devices preferring the 2.4 GHz band over 5 GHz. This action improves the quality of the 2.4 GHz connection but does not actively steer dual-band clients to the higher-speed, less congested 5 GHz spectrum. Clients will still make their own band selection decisions.
- ✗
Increase the transmit power of the 5 GHz radio.
Why it's wrong here
Increasing the transmit power of the 5 GHz radio would primarily extend its signal range and potentially improve signal strength for clients already connected to that band. However, it does not inherently force or encourage dual-band client devices to switch from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz. Clients typically make connection decisions based on various factors, including perceived signal strength and band preference, which transmit power alone cannot override for band steering purposes.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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