- A
Enable WEP on the main router and set a complex 128-bit key.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Using WEP for the entire network exposes all traffic to known attacks; it should not be used for sensitive data.
- B
Replace the printers with modern ones that support WPA2.
Why wrong: Incorrect. While ideal, replacing printers may not be immediately feasible; a VLAN solution is more practical.
- C
Create a separate VLAN for the printers using WEP and a strong passphrase, and keep the main network on WPA2.
Correct. This isolates the insecure WEP traffic to the printer VLAN, protecting the main network and sensitive data.
- D
Set the router to mixed mode (WEP + WPA2) and use a single SSID.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Mixed mode forces all devices to use the lowest common denominator, degrading security for the entire network.
Securing Legacy WEP Devices with VLAN Isolation
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of wireless security protocols. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 setting up a wireless network for a small office that handles sensitive client data. The office has a mix of modern laptops and a few legacy printers that only support WEP. What should the technician do to maintain security while keeping the printers functional?
Quick Answer
The answer is to create a separate VLAN for the legacy WEP devices while keeping the main network on WPA2. This is correct because WEP is a deprecated, severely flawed encryption protocol that can be cracked in minutes, but VLAN isolation contains that vulnerability to a segmented subnet, preventing attackers from pivoting to sensitive data on the primary network. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of network segmentation as a compensating control—a common trap is thinking you must upgrade the printers or disable WEP entirely, but the exam expects you to balance functionality with security by isolating the legacy device WEP traffic. Remember the memory tip: “Isolate the old, secure the new”—the VLAN acts as a quarantine zone, so even if WEP is broken, the main WPA2 network remains untouched.
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
Create a separate VLAN for the printers using WEP and a strong passphrase, and keep the main network on WPA2.
Option C is correct because it isolates the insecure WEP-based printers on a separate VLAN, preventing their weak encryption from compromising the main network which uses WPA2. This allows the legacy printers to remain functional while sensitive client data on the main network is protected by the stronger WPA2 protocol.
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 WEP on the main router and set a complex 128-bit key.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Using WEP for the entire network exposes all traffic to known attacks; it should not be used for sensitive data.
- ✗
Replace the printers with modern ones that support WPA2.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. While ideal, replacing printers may not be immediately feasible; a VLAN solution is more practical.
- ✓
Create a separate VLAN for the printers using WEP and a strong passphrase, and keep the main network on WPA2.
Why this is correct
Correct. This isolates the insecure WEP traffic to the printer VLAN, protecting the main network and sensitive data.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Set the router to mixed mode (WEP + WPA2) and use a single SSID.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Mixed mode forces all devices to use the lowest common denominator, degrading security for the entire network.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often think mixed mode (WEP + WPA2) is a valid compromise, but CompTIA A+ tests the understanding that mixed mode on a single SSID downgrades security for all devices, whereas VLAN segmentation isolates the weak protocol without affecting the secure network.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
WEP uses the RC4 stream cipher with a 24-bit initialization vector (IV), which repeats after approximately 5 million packets, enabling statistical attacks like the KoreK attack to recover the key. VLAN segmentation at Layer 2 using 802.1Q tagging ensures that WEP traffic is confined to the printer VLAN, while the main VLAN uses WPA2 with AES-CCMP, which provides authenticated encryption and prevents packet injection. In a real-world scenario, the technician would configure the switch port for the printer VLAN and set the access point to broadcast separate SSIDs for each VLAN.
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 help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
Visual reference
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: Create a separate VLAN for the printers using WEP and a strong passphrase, and keep the main network on WPA2. — Option C is correct because it isolates the insecure WEP-based printers on a separate VLAN, preventing their weak encryption from compromising the main network which uses WPA2. This allows the legacy printers to remain functional while sensitive client data on the main network is protected by the stronger WPA2 protocol.
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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