Mobile laptop users in an enterprise environment report dropped VoIP calls and high latenc… — CompTIA Network+

Mobile laptop users in an enterprise environment report dropped VoIP calls and high latency when moving between offices. Wireless diagnostic logs show that client devices remain attached to a distant access point (AP) at $-83\text{ dBm}$ RSSI, despite being positioned directly underneath a nearby AP. An RF audit reveals that both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radios on all APs are operating at maximum transmit power ( $+23\text{ dBm}$ ). Which of the following administrator actions will best remediate this sticky client roaming issue? (Select TWO.)

Reduce the transmit power of the 2.4 GHz radios on all access points relative to the 5 GHz radios.Answer
Configure minimum RSSI disassociation thresholds and band steering on the wireless controller.Answer
C
Increase the 2.4 GHz channel width from 20 MHz to 40 MHz across all access points.
D
Transition the wireless security authentication mechanism from WPA3-Enterprise to WPA2-Personal.

Answer

Reducing the 2.4 GHz transmit power to align coverage cells with 5 GHz radios, alongside configuring minimum RSSI disassociation thresholds and band steering, effectively forces sticky clients to disconnect from weak distant access points and roam to nearby access points.

Reducing 2.4 GHz radio transmit power shrinks the large 2.4 GHz coverage cell so that it matches the smaller 5 GHz cell size, preventing client devices from remaining connected to distant APs. Additionally, configuring minimum RSSI thresholds and band steering on the controller actively disassociates clients when signal quality degrades below a specific threshold, forcing them to roam to a closer access point.

Step-by-Step Solution

Analyze the reported symptom and RF environment metrics.

Identified 'sticky client' behavior where client devices hold onto distant AP signals (

-83\text{ dBm}

RSSI) because maximum power (

+23\text{ dBm}

) on 2.4 GHz causes AP signal to reach clients even though client uplink power is insufficient.

2.4 GHz signals propagate further and penetrate obstacles better than 5 GHz, creating an asymmetric power link when radios run at maximum power.

Balance cell coverage sizes across frequency bands.

Lower 2.4 GHz transmit power so 2.4 GHz coverage matches 5 GHz coverage.

Equalizing effective coverage areas prevents clients from seeing 2.4 GHz as usable when far away from the AP.

Enforce controller-based roaming management.

Enable minimum RSSI disassociation limits and band steering.

When a client signal drops below the configured RSSI threshold, the AP sends a disassociation frame, compelling the client device to scan and associate with the local, high-signal AP.

Key Concept

Sticky Client Roaming Remediation & Transmit Power Cell Balancing

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Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept

Common Mistakes

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