220-1101 Question 106
Single answerInternet of Things (IoT) devicesA small office installs several Wi-Fi–connected smart thermostats and lighting controllers. After installation, users report that the IoT devices frequently disconnect, especially during business hours, while laptops and desktops remain mostly usable. The technician verifies that the devices are connected to the company's 2.4 GHz wireless network and that the signal strength is adequate. Which action is the BEST next step to improve the reliability of the IoT devices?
- A
Move the IoT devices to the 5 GHz band to reduce interference from nearby devices
- B
Change the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi channel on the access point to reduce RF interference
- C
Disable WPA2 encryption so the IoT devices can reconnect more quickly
- D
Increase the DHCP lease time so the IoT devices keep the same IP addresses longer
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The best answer is to change the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi channel to reduce interference. In real-world IoT deployments, many devices use only the 2.4 GHz band because it offers longer range and lower power requirements, but that band is more crowded and vulnerable to interference. When signal strength is good yet devices disconnect intermittently, especially during peak usage times, channel congestion is a common cause. CompTIA A+ Core 1 expects candidates to recognize basic wireless troubleshooting steps, including checking for interference and understanding the differences between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. Standard wireless best practices also support selecting a less congested channel on 2.4 GHz, typically among the non-overlapping channels used in the region, rather than reducing security or changing unrelated DHCP settings.
- A. Incorrect.
This is incorrect because many IoT devices, including smart thermostats and lighting controllers, support only 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and cannot be moved to 5 GHz. While 5 GHz can be less congested, it is not a practical fix if the devices do not support that band. A technician should first account for the common limitation that many IoT devices are designed for 2.4 GHz due to cost, range, and power considerations.
- B. Correct.
This is correct because 2.4 GHz networks are commonly affected by interference from neighboring Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth devices, microwave ovens, and other household or office electronics. Since the IoT devices already have adequate signal strength, adjusting the access point to a less congested 2.4 GHz channel is the best next troubleshooting step. This is especially relevant for IoT devices that rely on 2.4 GHz and may be more sensitive to interference than laptops with better wireless radios and antennas.
- C. Incorrect.
This is incorrect because disabling WPA2 would reduce network security and is not a recommended troubleshooting or production fix. Most modern IoT devices support WPA2-Personal, and removing encryption would expose the network to unauthorized access. Security best practices call for maintaining appropriate wireless encryption rather than weakening it for convenience.
- D. Incorrect.
This is incorrect because DHCP lease duration is not the most likely cause of frequent disconnections during business hours when signal strength is good. DHCP issues more often present as loss of IP configuration or inability to renew addresses, not intermittent wireless instability tied to time-of-day usage patterns. The scenario points more strongly to radio-frequency congestion or interference on the 2.4 GHz band.