CCNA 200-301: Which 802.11 management frame type is sent when a client roams between access points on the same SSID?

Question

Which 802.11 management frame type is sent when a client roams between access points on the same SSID?

A. Reassociation Request
B. Authentication Request
C. Association Request
D. Probe Request

Answer

A. Reassociation Request

Explanation

The correct answer is A. Reassociation Request.

When a wireless client roams between access points on the same SSID, it will send a Reassociation Request frame. This follows the basic process:

1. The client is already authenticated and associated with the wireless network via an Authentication Request and Association Request frame. This was done when the client first joined the network.
2. When the client moves out of range of the current access point and into range of a new access point on the same SSID, it will send a Reassociation Request frame to the new access point.
3. The new access point will accept the Reassociation Request and send a Reassociation Response confirming the successful reassociation.
4. The client can then begin communicating through the new access point.

The key point is that the client is already authenticated and associated with the network. When roaming between access points on the same SSID, it only needs to reassociate to the new access point using a Reassociation Request frame.

The other frame types listed would not be used in this scenario:

B. Authentication Request – Not needed since client is already authenticated
C. Association Request – Not needed since client is already associated
D. Probe Request – A Probe Request is used when discovering available networks, not when roaming between APs on the same SSID.

Reference

• 802.11 Frame Types – Wikipedia
• 802.11 Frame Types and Formats – How I WI-FI (howiwifi.com)
• 802.11 Sniffer Capture Analysis – Management Frames and Open Auth – Cisco Community
• Cisco Content Hub – 802.11r, 802.11k, 802.11v, 802.11w Fast Transition Roaming
• 802.11r, 802.11k, 802.11v, 802.11w Fast Transition Roaming (cisco.com)
• Understanding 802.11 Frame Types – WiFi Planet (wi-fiplanet.com)

Cisco Certified Network Associate CCNA 200-301 certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the Cisco Certified Network Associate CCNA 200-301 exam and earn Cisco Certified Network Associate CCNA 200-301 certification.