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Cisco 350-401: What Happens When Devices Connect to the Same Wi-Fi Channel?

Discover the key characteristic of devices connecting to the same Wi-Fi channel and how it impacts network performance. Learn about collision domains in wireless networks.

Table of Contents

Question

What is a characteristic of Wi-Fi channels?

A. The 2.4-GHz band has 24 non-overlapping channels.
B. Devices that connect to the same Wi-Fi channel reside in the same collision domain.
C. Wi-Fi channels are spaced 30 MHz apart.
D. The 5-GHz band offers 11 different channels for Wi-Fi clients.

Answer

B. Devices that connect to the same Wi-Fi channel reside in the same collision domain.

Explanation

When multiple devices connect to the same Wi-Fi channel, they reside in the same collision domain. This means that the devices share the available bandwidth and must take turns transmitting data to avoid collisions.

In a collision domain, only one device can transmit at a time. If two or more devices attempt to transmit simultaneously on the same Wi-Fi channel, a collision occurs. The data frames are corrupted and must be retransmitted, reducing the overall network throughput and performance.

To minimize collisions and improve network efficiency, Wi-Fi devices use a media access control (MAC) protocol called Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA). With CSMA/CA, devices listen to the channel before transmitting to ensure it is clear. If the channel is busy, the device waits a random amount of time before attempting to transmit again.

Therefore, the correct answer is B: Devices that connect to the same Wi-Fi channel reside in the same collision domain. This is a fundamental characteristic of how Wi-Fi channels operate.

The other options are incorrect:

A. The 2.4 GHz band has 14 channels total, but only 3 (channels 1, 6, and 11) are non-overlapping in most parts of the world.
C. Wi-Fi channels in the 2.4 GHz band are spaced 5 MHz apart, not 30 MHz.
D. The 5 GHz band offers more than 11 channels, with the exact number varying by region.

Understanding collision domains is crucial for optimizing Wi-Fi network performance. To reduce collisions, network administrators can deploy access points on non-overlapping channels and balance the number of devices per channel. This helps ensure each device has sufficient airtime and bandwidth to transmit data efficiently.

Cisco 350-401 certification exam assessment practice question and answer (Q&A) dump including multiple choice questions (MCQ) and objective type questions, with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the Cisco 350-401 exam and earn Cisco 350-401 certification.