- A
Enable WPA3-SAE for all devices.
Why wrong: WPA3 is not supported by legacy WPA-TKIP devices.
- B
Use WPA2-PSK with TKIP encryption.
Why wrong: TKIP is insecure and should be avoided; it also does not provide the best security for modern devices.
- C
Configure the router for WPA2-PSK with AES and enable WPA-TKIP as a fallback.
Why wrong: Most routers do not allow mixed mode with both simultaneously; they use a transitional security mode that is less secure.
- D
Set up a separate SSID with WPA-TKIP for legacy devices and another SSID with WPA2-AES for modern devices.
This isolates legacy devices on a less secure network while allowing modern devices to use the stronger encryption.
Question 634 of 750
Balancing Security and Compatibility: WPA-TKIP with WPA2-AES
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of wireless security protocols. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 technician is configuring a wireless network for a new office. The network must support legacy devices that only support WPA-TKIP, but the technician also wants to maximize security for modern devices. Which configuration should the technician use?
Quick Answer
The correct configuration is to set up a separate SSID with WPA-TKIP for legacy devices and another SSID with WPA2-AES for modern devices. This is necessary because WPA2-AES is not backward compatible with WPA-TKIP; the two encryption protocols use fundamentally different cipher algorithms—TKIP relies on the older RC4 stream cipher, while AES uses the far more secure CCMP block cipher—so a single network cannot support both simultaneously. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that security and compatibility often conflict, and the common trap is thinking you can mix modes on one SSID or that WPA2 can fall back to TKIP. The best practice is to isolate legacy devices on their own network to avoid weakening overall security. Memory tip: “Separate SSIDs for separate needs—TKIP for old, AES for bold.”
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
✓
Set up a separate SSID with WPA-TKIP for legacy devices and another SSID with WPA2-AES for modern devices.
Option D is correct because it isolates legacy WPA-TKIP devices on a separate SSID, preventing the weaker TKIP encryption from compromising the security of modern devices. Modern devices can then connect to a second SSID using WPA2-AES, which provides strong encryption (CCMP) and is not vulnerable to TKIP-specific attacks like Michael MIC exhaustion. This approach satisfies both requirements without forcing all devices onto a single, less secure configuration.
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.
- ✗
Enable WPA3-SAE for all devices.
Why it's wrong here
WPA3 is not supported by legacy WPA-TKIP devices.
- ✗
Use WPA2-PSK with TKIP encryption.
Why it's wrong here
TKIP is insecure and should be avoided; it also does not provide the best security for modern devices.
- ✗
Configure the router for WPA2-PSK with AES and enable WPA-TKIP as a fallback.
Why it's wrong here
Most routers do not allow mixed mode with both simultaneously; they use a transitional security mode that is less secure.
- ✓
Set up a separate SSID with WPA-TKIP for legacy devices and another SSID with WPA2-AES for modern devices.
Why this is correct
This isolates legacy devices on a less secure network while allowing modern devices to use the stronger encryption.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that a mixed-mode SSID (WPA2 with TKIP fallback) is a safe compromise, when in fact it can force all clients to use weaker encryption or cause performance degradation, making separate SSIDs the correct approach for legacy support without compromising modern security.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
WPA-TKIP uses the RC4 cipher with a per-packet key mixing function and Michael MIC for integrity, but it is vulnerable to attacks such as Beck-Tews and the Michael MIC exhaustion attack that can lead to denial of service. In contrast, WPA2-AES uses CCMP (Counter Mode CBC-MAC Protocol) based on AES, which provides strong confidentiality and integrity. When a single SSID is configured in mixed WPA/WPA2 mode, the beacon and probe responses advertise both TKIP and CCMP as supported ciphers, and a client can negotiate TKIP even if it supports AES, potentially weakening the overall security posture of the network.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 220-1202 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.
Quick reference
Symmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Size | Block Size | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AES-128 | 128-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | NIST approved; WPA3, TLS |
| AES-256 | 256-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | Preferred for sensitive / govt data |
| 3DES | 112-bit effective | 64-bit | Deprecated (2023) | Replaced by AES |
| DES | 56-bit | 64-bit | Broken | Cracked in < 24 h; never deploy |
| ChaCha20 | 256-bit | Stream cipher | Current | TLS 1.3, WireGuard |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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Wireless Security Protocols — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Wireless Security Protocols — This question tests Wireless Security Protocols — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set up a separate SSID with WPA-TKIP for legacy devices and another SSID with WPA2-AES for modern devices. — Option D is correct because it isolates legacy WPA-TKIP devices on a separate SSID, preventing the weaker TKIP encryption from compromising the security of modern devices. Modern devices can then connect to a second SSID using WPA2-AES, which provides strong encryption (CCMP) and is not vulnerable to TKIP-specific attacks like Michael MIC exhaustion. This approach satisfies both requirements without forcing all devices onto a single, less secure configuration.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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