An administrator has a dual-band access point configured for 80 MHz-wide channels on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. A warehouse barcode scanner loses connectivity after passing through two cinder-block walls. Which AP adjustment is most likely to extend reliable coverage to the scanner without adding hardware?
Reduce the 2.4 GHz channel width to 20 MHz and connect the scanner to that band
Disable the 2.4 GHz radio so all clients use only the 5 GHz band
Change the wireless security from WPA2 to WPA3
Enable Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) channels on the 5 GHz band
The 2.4 GHz band propagates through walls better than the higher-frequency 5 GHz band. In addition, narrowing the channel width from 80 MHz to the standard 20 MHz reduces noise, increases the signal-to-noise ratio, and generally improves range at the cost of peak throughput-an acceptable trade-off for low-bandwidth devices such as a barcode scanner. Enabling 20 MHz operation on the 2.4 GHz radio therefore gives the scanner a stronger, farther-reaching signal. Enabling DFS channels still keeps the client on 5 GHz, which suffers more attenuation. Disabling 2.4 GHz forces all devices onto 5 GHz, worsening the problem. Changing from WPA2 to WPA3 affects security, not RF coverage.
Ask Bash
Bash is our AI bot, trained to help you pass your exam. AI Generated Content may display inaccurate information, always double-check anything important.
Why does the 2.4 GHz band propagate through walls better than the 5 GHz band?
Open an interactive chat with Bash
How does reducing the channel width to 20 MHz improve signal reliability?
Open an interactive chat with Bash
What is the purpose of Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) channels in Wi-Fi?