The answer is a locked or expired domain account. This is the most likely cause because WPA2-Enterprise with PEAP-MSCHAPv2 authenticates the user’s domain credentials, not just the device; the wireless association succeeds, but the RADIUS server rejects the authentication request if the account is disabled or the password has expired, blocking access to internal resources. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding of enterprise authentication integration and the critical difference between Layer 2 association and Layer 3 access—a common trap is to blame the wireless profile or certificate when the real issue is account state. Remember the key distinction: association is device-level, but authentication is user-credential-level. A helpful memory tip is “Associate to connect, authenticate to access”—if the Wi-Fi icon shows connected but resources are unreachable, always check the domain account status first.
220-1102 Wireless Security Protocols Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of wireless security protocols. 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 user's laptop running Windows 10 Pro connects to the corporate Wi-Fi but cannot access internal resources. The network uses WPA2-Enterprise with PEAP-MSCHAPv2. The laptop's wireless profile is configured correctly. Other users in the same office can access resources. 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.
Why wrong: A faulty adapter would likely prevent association entirely; the user can connect but not access resources.
B
The user's domain account is locked or the password has expired.
PEAP-MSCHAPv2 uses domain credentials; an account issue would prevent successful authentication and network access.
C
The access point is broadcasting on a congested channel.
Why wrong: Channel congestion would cause slow speeds or disconnections, not a complete inability to access resources after connection.
D
The laptop has an incorrect IP address from DHCP.
Why wrong: An incorrect IP would cause connectivity issues, but the user is connected to the Wi-Fi; DHCP issues are less likely given other users work.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The user's domain account is locked or the password has expired.
In a WPA2-Enterprise environment, the user's domain credentials are used for authentication. If the account is locked or the password has expired, authentication will fail even though the wireless association succeeds. This tests understanding of enterprise authentication integration.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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 laptop's wireless adapter is faulty.
Why it's wrong here
A faulty adapter would likely prevent association entirely; the user can connect but not access resources.
✓
The user's domain account is locked or the password has expired.
Why this is correct
PEAP-MSCHAPv2 uses domain credentials; an account issue would prevent successful authentication and network access.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
The access point is broadcasting on a congested channel.
Why it's wrong here
Channel congestion would cause slow speeds or disconnections, not a complete inability to access resources after connection.
✗
The laptop has an incorrect IP address from DHCP.
Why it's wrong here
An incorrect IP would cause connectivity issues, but the user is connected to the Wi-Fi; DHCP issues are less likely given other users work.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1202 question in full detail.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 220-1202 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Wireless Security Protocols — This question tests Wireless Security Protocols — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The user's domain account is locked or the password has expired. — In a WPA2-Enterprise environment, the user's domain credentials are used for authentication. If the account is locked or the password has expired, authentication will fail even though the wireless association succeeds. This tests understanding of enterprise authentication integration.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 220-1202 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet 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?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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