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220-1201 Practice Question: A user complains that their laptop frequently…
A user complains that their laptop frequently disconnects from the Wi-Fi when they move from their desk to a conference room 30 meters away. The office uses a single wireless access point (AP). Which network type is being used, and what is the most likely cause of the disconnection?
⚠ Common exam trap
The 220-1201 exam often tests the distinction between infrastructure mode and ad hoc or mesh networks, trapping candidates who confuse a single-AP setup with a mesh or who incorrectly attribute disconnections to roaming rather than signal strength.
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
✓
Infrastructure mode WLAN; the AP's signal strength is insufficient at that distance.
The scenario describes an infrastructure mode WLAN, where devices connect through a single access point. The disconnection at 30 meters is most likely due to insufficient signal strength from that AP, as typical consumer-grade Wi-Fi (e.g., 2.4 GHz) has an effective indoor range of about 30–40 meters, and obstacles or interference can further reduce it.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Ad hoc network; the laptop is trying to connect directly to other devices.
Why it's wrong here
An ad hoc network establishes direct peer-to-peer connections between devices without a central access point (AP). The scenario describes a laptop disconnecting from '3', implying a connection to a central Wi-Fi network managed by an AP, which is characteristic of infrastructure mode, not an ad hoc setup.
- ✓
Infrastructure mode WLAN; the AP's signal strength is insufficient at that distance.
Why this is correct
Infrastructure mode utilizes an Access Point (AP) to manage wireless connections and provide network access. A distance of 30 meters can significantly attenuate the Wi-Fi signal, especially with walls or other obstructions, leading to insufficient signal strength for a stable connection and frequent disconnections.
- ✗
Mesh network; the laptop is roaming between mesh nodes.
Why it's wrong here
A mesh network consists of multiple interconnected wireless nodes that cooperate to extend coverage and provide redundant paths. The problem statement refers to a single point of connection ('3'), not a distributed system of multiple nodes that the laptop would roam between, making a mesh network an incorrect assumption.
- ✗
PAN network; the laptop is using Bluetooth, which has limited range.
Why it's wrong here
A Personal Area Network (PAN) typically involves short-range wireless technologies like Bluetooth, designed for connecting devices within a very close proximity, usually around 10 meters. The user's complaint about Wi-Fi disconnections, rather than Bluetooth, and the implied longer distance rule out a PAN as the primary issue.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Laptop Hardware and Components
Key term
Received Signal Strength Indicator
Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) is a measurement of how strong a wireless signal is when it reaches a receiving device, like a laptop connecting to Wi-Fi.
Key term
CAN
A CAN (Controller Area Network) is a robust vehicle bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other without a host computer.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 220-1201 exam.