Designing Cisco Wireless Networks — Free Practice Questions
10 free sample questions from a bank of 63, with the correct answers and explanations. No signup required — start practising right now.
1An engineer must perform a predictive design for a wireless network.The customer has devices that can tolerate at most 100 ms of delay when roaming. Which design criteria must be used?
location
data
video
voice
Answer: D
The short version
D — A 100 ms roaming budget calls for a voice-grade design. Voice is the traffic class whose one-way delay and handoff targets sit at or under that threshold.
Key concepts in this question
Predictive design profiles: voice, video, data, and location each set coverage, overlap, and roam targets.
Voice delay budget: conversational quality needs roughly 150 ms one-way, with roams near 100 ms or below.
Tolerance ordering: data and location absorb far more delay than real-time voice.
Why D is correct
Devices that break past 100 ms of roaming gap need the cell overlap, data-rate, and fast-transition planning of a voice deployment. Designing to the voice profile guarantees handoffs complete inside the stated tolerance, since voice criteria are the strictest delay-bound of the listed options.
Why the others are wrong
A. Location designs optimize accuracy and density of confidence, not sub-100 ms handoffs.
B. Data designs maximize throughput and accept retransmission delay, tolerating gaps voice cannot.
C. Video buffers seconds of content and tolerates jitter and brief gaps far better than interactive voice.
300-110 exam tip
See a ~100 ms roam limit and pick voice: the strictest delay profile governs.
2A consulting engineer for a copper mine is trying to extend the network connectivity of autonomous trucks via Cisco IW3702 APs. The WGB design requirements include: latency- sensitive application (truck slows at 10 sec, stops at 20 sec of connection loss), aggressive scanning and roaming, enterprise-grade security without certificates on each AP, multiple clients in different VLANs on the WGB, and channel scan parameters restricted to only channels in the truck path. Which design approach meets the requirements?
WGB in mobile station mode with EAP Fast connected to a dot1q-capable switch
WGB in mobile station mode with EAP-TLS connected to a dot1q-capable switch
WGB in static mode with EAP Fast connected to a dot1q-capable switch
WGB in static mode with EAP-TLS connected to a dot1q-capable switch
Answer: A
The short version
A — Mobile-station WGB with EAP-FAST on a dot1q switch meets every constraint. Mobile-station mode gives aggressive scanning and roaming, EAP-FAST gives enterprise security without per-AP certificates, and trunking carries the multiple VLANs.
Key concepts in this question
WGB mobile-station vs static: mobile mode scans and roams; static mode stays put.
EAP-FAST vs EAP-TLS: tunneled credentials without certificates versus certificate-based mutual auth.
dot1q trunking: one WGB uplink carrying several client VLANs.
Why A is correct
Autonomous trucks losing connectivity for 10 to 20 seconds is a roaming problem, so the WGB must actively scan restricted channels and roam fast, which is mobile-station behavior. EAP-FAST provides strong EAP chaining without provisioning certificates on every AP, and hanging the WGB off a dot1q-capable switch extends the required multiple VLANs to the wired clients behind it.
Why the others are wrong
B. EAP-TLS demands certificates on each AP, violating the no-certificates requirement.
C. Static WGB mode does not aggressively scan and roam, so latency-sensitive trucks would stall on stale links.
D. It combines both defects: static behavior plus per-AP certificate burden.
300-110 exam tip
Roaming plus no-certs plus multi-VLAN spells mobile-station, EAP-FAST, trunk.
3A retail customer opened two new branch locations, and the main store HQ handles data center operations. Each branch location has three Cisco Catalyst 9130 APs. The data center has a Catalyst 9800 WLC with 18 Catalyst 9130 APs. Growing business and poor WAN uplinks cause impacted branch AP and wireless client connectivity back to HQ, and each branch location is now planned to have its own EWC controller based on C9130 AP to keep traffic local. This new design must accommodate: guests and employees sharing the same WLAN with different VLANs, guest uplink and downlink traffic restricted to 2 Mbps, and each branch acting as secondary or tertiary backup to another branch with the data center WLC always being the primary. Which design approach should the consulting engineer take?
Two C9130 branch APs must be converted to EWC mode, one for the active controller and the other for standby, with HQ WLC set as a primary N+1 backup, and other branches' EWC must be added as mobility peers. The branch WLAN will use the guest anchor to HQ WLC for guest VLAN access.
One C9130 branch AP must be converted to EWC mode, and the preferred controller is set to that AP with HQ WLC set as a primary N+1 backup and other branches' EWC AP as secondary and tertiary. HQ AAA must be added to EWC, and WLAN with MAB + AAA override must be configured.
Two C9130 branch APs must be converted to EWC mode, one for the active controller and the other for standby, with the standby EWC set as N+1 backup. HQ AAA must be added to EWC, and WLAN with dot1x + AAA override must be configured.
One C9130 branch AP must be converted to EWC mode, and the preferred controller is set to that AP with HQ WLC set as N+1 backup. The branch guest WLAN will use local web auth on guest VLAN.
Answer: B
The short version
B — One local EWC per branch with HQ as N+1 backup and MAB plus AAA override fits the brief. It keeps traffic local, preserves HQ as primary backup, and splits one WLAN into guest and employee VLANs.
Key concepts in this question
Embedded Wireless Controller: a Catalyst AP running the controller for local survivability.
N+1 and mobility peers: HQ stays primary backup while branch controllers back each other up.
MAB with AAA override: RADIUS returns the per-user VLAN and rate policy on a shared SSID.
Why B is correct
Converting a single branch AP to EWC with the preferred controller set locally keeps wireless traffic on site despite poor WAN, while HQ WLC as primary N+1 plus other branches as secondary and tertiary honors the backup hierarchy. Central AAA with MAB and override assigns guests and employees to different VLANs on the same WLAN with the 2 Mbps guest policer, all without backhauling.
Why the others are wrong
A. Anchoring guests to the HQ WLC backhauls guest traffic over the poor WAN the design must avoid.
C. Two EWCs per branch wastes APs and misplaces the N+1 backup on the standby instead of HQ.
D. Local web auth on a guest VLAN loses the shared-WLAN split and centralized AAA policy the requirements demand.
300-110 exam tip
Poor WAN plus shared SSID means local EWC with AAA override, HQ as N+1.
4A network engineer is configuring high availability on an access point. What is the maximum number of controllers that can be configured?
1
2
3
4
Answer: C
The short version
C — An AP holds three controllers: primary, secondary, and tertiary. That high-availability list is the maximum the AP can be configured with.
Key concepts in this question
AP HA list: ordered controller preferences the AP joins in sequence.
Primary/secondary/tertiary roles: first choice plus two ordered fallbacks.
Join failover: the AP moves down the list when its current controller is unreachable.
Why C is correct
Cisco AP configuration accepts exactly three controller entries, conventionally the primary with a secondary and a tertiary backup. On losing its active controller the AP tries the next entry, giving two levels of fallback, which is why three is both the convention and the ceiling.
Why the others are wrong
A. One entry would leave no failover target, contradicting the purpose of HA configuration.
B. Two entries omit the tertiary role the platform explicitly supports.
D. Four exceeds the supported HA list length on the AP.
300-110 exam tip
AP HA counts to three: primary, secondary, tertiary, no more.
5A consultant must design a WLAN for a large campus with high AP density, 50-100 clients per cell, 5 Mbps throughput per client minimum, 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz coverage at -67 dBm, and no802.11b clients. Which two WLAN design approaches meet the requirements? (Choose two.)
Set the minimum mandatory data rates to 12-18 Mbps.
Configure up to six SSIDs on any AP.
Enable 802.11b data rates.
Reduce the 2.4 GHz coverage with FRA.
Set the 5 GHz channel widths to 80-160 MHz.
Answer: A, D
The short version
A and D — Raise mandatory rates and shrink 2.4 GHz with FRA for dense, fast cells. Mandatory 12 to 18 Mbps rates push clients to faster modulations while Flexible Radio Assignment trims overlapping 2.4 GHz coverage.
Key concepts in this question
Mandatory data rates: forcing higher minimums shrinks cells and raises per-client throughput.
FRA: converts redundant 2.4 GHz radios to 5 GHz or monitors to cut co-channel interference.
High-density rules: few SSIDs, no legacy rates, and narrow channels beat wide ones.
Why A and D are correct
Fifty to 100 clients per cell at 5 Mbps each with no 11b clients demands small, efficient cells: 12 to 18 Mbps mandatory rates disable slow transmissions that waste airtime, and reducing 2.4 GHz via FRA removes the biggest interference source since 2.4 GHz propagates farthest. Together they deliver the -67 dBm dual-band plan with usable capacity.
Why the others are wrong
B. Six SSIDs per AP multiplies beacons and management overhead, harming dense capacity.
C. Enabling 802.11b rates reintroduces slow, long-range transmissions the requirements exclude.
E. 80 to 160 MHz channels reduce channel reuse and raise interference, the opposite of dense design.
300-110 exam tip
Dense campus mantra: faster minimum rates, less 2.4 — let FRA do the shrinking.
6An engineer is performing an AP-on-a-stick survey and finds that the 5 GHz channel overlap is too high when an appropriate number of APs are used for the density requirements. Which two actions during the survey reduce channel overlap? (Choose two.)
Raise the minimum data rate to 24 Mbps.
Increase AP transmit power to improve the SNR.
Allow the use of UNII-2e channels.
Use directional antennas to limit the coverage area of some APs.
Enable power saving mode.
Answer: A, D
The short version
A and D — Shrink cells with a higher minimum rate and contain them with directional antennas. Both actions cut 5 GHz overlap without removing APs needed for density.
Antenna pattern control: directional elements focus energy and limit spill into neighboring cells.
Power vs overlap: more power enlarges cells and worsens overlap.
Why A and D are correct
Raising the minimum rate to 24 Mbps forces clients to associate only where signal is strong, effectively contracting each cell and separating co-channel neighbors. Directional antennas further confine energy to the intended aisles or zones, dropping overlap while preserving the AP count density demands.
Why the others are wrong
B. Increasing transmit power expands cells and raises overlap, the reverse of the fix.
C. UNII-2e adds legal channels but does not itself shrink or reshape the overlapping cells under survey.
E. Client power-saving modes do not change AP coverage footprints or channel reuse.
300-110 exam tip
Too much overlap on survey day: raise the rate floor and aim the energy.
7An engineer is performing a passive survey report. The coverage heat map shows the entire site with all signal levels. To see only the desired coverage, which action must the engineer take?
Change the color scheme to show the desired heat map.
Use the RSSI calibration tool to configure the receiver sensitivity.
Use the RSSI slider to set the heat map to the desired cutoff filter.
Filter the results to show the desired APs only.
Answer: C
The short version
C — Drag the RSSI slider to the desired cutoff to reveal only passing coverage. The filter hides everything below threshold so the heatmap shows the compliant footprint.
Key concepts in this question
Passive survey heatmaps: measured signal rendered across the floor plan.
RSSI cutoff filter: display threshold separating acceptable from unacceptable signal.
Cosmetic vs filtering actions: recoloring or recalibrating does not isolate the passing area.
Why C is correct
The full-site heatmap includes weak fringe signal the design does not count on. Setting the RSSI slider to the design cutoff (for example -67 dBm) masks weaker areas, leaving exactly the desired-coverage zones visible for the report.
Why the others are wrong
A. Changing the color scheme restyles the same data without removing sub-threshold areas.
B. RSSI calibration adjusts adapter offset accuracy; it does not filter the displayed footprint.
D. Filtering by AP hides interferers or rogues but still shows all signal levels of the rest.
300-110 exam tip
Want only good coverage on the map: slide the RSSI cutoff, not the palette.
8A wireless engineer must design a WLAN for a university that requires outdoor Wi-Fi access.Which obstruction has the greatest effect on wireless signal propagation?
wind
rain
trees
poles
Answer: C
The short version
C — Trees attenuate outdoor Wi-Fi more than any other listed obstruction. Water-laden foliage absorbs and scatters 2.4 and 5 GHz energy across a large volume.
Key concepts in this question
Absorption by water: leaves hold water that soaks up microwave energy.
Scattering volume: canopies present deep, irregular obstacles versus thin poles.
Weather vs vegetation: rain fades links mildly; dense trees block them.
Why C is correct
An outdoor university path lined with trees puts thick, wet biomass directly in the Fresnel zone, producing sustained absorption, scattering, and seasonal variation that dominates link budgets. That bulk vegetative loss exceeds the brief or partial effects of the alternatives.
Why the others are wrong
A. Wind sways antennas and foliage but barely attenuates the signal itself.
B. Rain adds modest attenuation at Wi-Fi frequencies, far less than a tree canopy.
D. Poles cause narrow shadowing and minor diffraction, not volume absorption.
300-110 exam tip
Outdoors, fear the foliage first: water-filled leaves eat Wi-Fi.
9A wireless engineer is designing a wireless network for a warehouse using access points with internal antennas. Which two elements have a negative effect on the wireless users? (Choose two.)
wireless channels
access point height
client authentication
client authorization
absorption
Answer: B, E
The short version
B and E — Excessive AP height and stock absorption degrade warehouse users. High mounting distorts internal-antenna patterns at the floor while inventory soaks up RF energy.
Key concepts in this question
Mounting height vs pattern: internal omnis are tuned for ceilings near clients, not high bays.
Absorption: dense goods, especially liquids and metals, attenuate and shadow signals.
Config vs environment: channels and AAA policy do not themselves weaken propagation.
Why B and E are correct
Access points with internal antennas hung too high stretch the cell vertically, weakening floor-level signal and widening overlap, while tall racks of absorbing stock create shadows and dead aisles. Both are physical-layer impairments that directly lower the signal users receive.
Why the others are wrong
A. Wireless channels are a reuse plan; correct planning helps rather than inherently harming users.
C. Client authentication gates access but does not attenuate anyone's RF.
D. Client authorization sets permissions after joining; it has no propagation effect.
300-110 exam tip
Warehouse Wi-Fi grief: hang them too high and let the stock swallow the signal.
10A network engineer is designing a new wireless network. The network must include these requirements: ?optimized performance ?avoid interference ?availability in high-density areas ?roaming Which two approaches must be taken? (Choose two.)
5 GHz frequency band with 20 MHz channels
2.4 GHz frequency band with 20 MHz channels
5 GHz frequency band with 80 MHz channels
2.4 GHz frequency band with 40 MHz channels
5 GHz frequency band with 40 MHz channels
Answer: A, B
The short version
A and B — Use 20 MHz channels on both 5 and 2.4 GHz for dense, roamable coverage. Narrow channels maximize non-overlapping reuse, limit interference, and keep clients roaming cleanly.
Key concepts in this question
Channel reuse: more usable channels mean less co-channel interference in dense areas.
20 MHz discipline: narrow widths preserve channel count on both bands.
Wide-channel cost: bonding raises speed per cell but destroys reuse and roaming stability.
Why A and B are correct
High density plus roaming demands many clean, overlapping-free cells: 5 GHz at 20 MHz yields the largest set of non-overlapping channels for capacity, and 2.4 GHz at 20 MHz preserves its three usable channels without the self-interference of 40 MHz bonding. Optimized performance here means reliable, interference-free airtime, not peak single-client rate.
Why the others are wrong
C. 80 MHz channels on 5 GHz slash reuse and raise interference, failing density and roaming goals.
D. 40 MHz in 2.4 GHz leaves effectively one usable channel, guaranteeing interference.
E. 40 MHz on 5 GHz still halves reuse versus 20 MHz with no roaming benefit.
300-110 exam tip
Density plus roaming equals twenty megahertz everywhere.