Question 251 of 750
Wireless Security ProtocolsmediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Configuring Fast Roaming for Chromebooks and iPads

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 school that uses Chromebooks and iPads. The network must support fast roaming and prioritize security. The technician enables WPA2-Enterprise with 802.1X. What additional configuration is needed to ensure seamless roaming between access points?

Quick Answer

The answer is to enable 802.11r (Fast Roaming) on the wireless controller. This configuration is essential because WPA2-Enterprise with 802.1X handles authentication through a RADIUS server, which can introduce significant delay when a client moves between access points; 802.11r streamlines this process by allowing the client to pre-authenticate or use a faster key exchange, reducing handoff latency to under 50 milliseconds. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding of wireless roaming protocols in enterprise environments, often appearing as a scenario where a school needs seamless connectivity for Chromebooks and iPads. A common trap is assuming WPA2-Enterprise alone provides fast roaming, but it does not—802.11r must be explicitly enabled. Remember the mnemonic: “Roaming requires ‘r’”—if you see a question about fast roaming for mobile devices, think 802.11r first.

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 802.11r (Fast Roaming) on the wireless controller.

Option C is correct because 802.11r (Fast Roaming) enables seamless key distribution between access points during client transitions, eliminating the need for full re-authentication with the RADIUS server. This is essential for devices like Chromebooks and iPads that move frequently across a school campus, ensuring low-latency roaming while maintaining WPA2-Enterprise security.

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 on all access points.

    Why it's wrong here

    WPA3-SAE does not inherently provide fast roaming; 802.11r is needed.

  • Configure all access points with the same SSID and passphrase.

    Why it's wrong here

    This is already standard; it does not enable fast roaming.

  • Enable 802.11r (Fast Roaming) on the wireless controller.

    Why this is correct

    802.11r reduces the time required for re-authentication during roaming.

    Related concept

    Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

  • Disable WPS on all access points.

    Why it's wrong here

    Disabling WPS is a security measure but does not affect roaming performance.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

A common misconception in CompTIA A+ is that simply using the same SSID and passphrase (Option B) is sufficient for seamless roaming, but in WPA2-Enterprise, the passphrase is not used, and without 802.11r, clients must perform a full 802.1X re-authentication at each AP, causing noticeable delays.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

802.11r uses a mechanism called 'opportunistic key caching' (OKC) and a four-way handshake that derives pairwise transient keys (PTKs) from a cached pairwise master key (PMK), reducing roaming time from hundreds of milliseconds to under 50 ms. In a school environment with high client density, this prevents voice or video call drops during AP transitions, as the client does not need to re-authenticate with the RADIUS server for each move.

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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.

Quick reference

AAA Protocol Comparison

ProtocolPort(s)EncryptionTransportPrimary Use
RADIUS1812 / 1813Password onlyUDPNetwork access control
TACACS+49Full packetTCPDevice administration
Diameter3868Full sessionTCP / SCTPCarrier / mobile networks
802.1XEAP-basedLayer 2Port-based access control

TACACS+ encrypts the entire packet; RADIUS only encrypts the password field — a key exam distinction.

What to study next

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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: Enable 802.11r (Fast Roaming) on the wireless controller. — Option C is correct because 802.11r (Fast Roaming) enables seamless key distribution between access points during client transitions, eliminating the need for full re-authentication with the RADIUS server. This is essential for devices like Chromebooks and iPads that move frequently across a school campus, ensuring low-latency roaming while maintaining WPA2-Enterprise security.

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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This 220-1202 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 220-1202 exam.