N10-009 Question 162
Single answerFrequency options: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz, Band steeringA network administrator is upgrading wireless access in a modern office. The environment includes older barcode scanners that support only 2.4GHz, employee laptops and phones that support 5GHz, and a new set of Wi-Fi 6E conference room devices that support 6GHz. Users report that some dual-band client devices keep joining 2.4GHz even when they are near an access point, resulting in lower throughput and more congestion. The administrator wants to improve client distribution across available bands without breaking compatibility for older devices. Which action is the BEST choice?
- A
Disable 2.4GHz on all access points so dual-band clients are forced onto 5GHz or 6GHz
- B
Enable band steering so capable clients are encouraged to use 5GHz or 6GHz while 2.4GHz-only devices can still connect
- C
Configure all SSIDs to use only 6GHz because it has the most available spectrum and least interference
- D
Increase transmit power on 2.4GHz radios so clients maintain stronger signals and roam less often
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The best answer is to enable band steering. In a mixed wireless environment, 2.4GHz provides the greatest legacy compatibility and generally better range, but it has fewer non-overlapping channels and is more prone to congestion and interference. 5GHz typically provides higher throughput and more channels, making it a better choice for most modern client devices. 6GHz, introduced with Wi-Fi 6E, offers additional clean spectrum and reduced interference, but only compatible devices can use it and its higher frequency generally results in shorter effective range compared with 2.4GHz. Band steering is a standard best-practice feature on enterprise and many SMB wireless platforms because it helps distribute clients more efficiently without removing support for legacy devices. This aligns with common vendor guidance from enterprise WLAN manufacturers and with Wi-Fi Alliance positioning around using newer bands for capable clients while retaining backward compatibility where needed.
- A. Incorrect.
This is incorrect because disabling 2.4GHz on all access points would break connectivity for legacy devices such as the barcode scanners that support only 2.4GHz. While this might move dual-band clients off 2.4GHz, it would not meet the business requirement to preserve compatibility for older hardware.
- B. Correct.
This is correct because band steering is specifically designed to encourage dual-band or tri-band capable clients to prefer higher-frequency bands such as 5GHz, and in environments that support it, 6GHz. That helps reduce congestion on 2.4GHz while still allowing 2.4GHz-only devices to associate normally. This is a practical and commonly recommended approach in mixed-client environments.
- C. Incorrect.
This is incorrect because 6GHz is available only to Wi-Fi 6E and later compatible devices, so using only 6GHz would exclude both the 2.4GHz-only scanners and many existing 5GHz-capable devices. Although 6GHz offers more spectrum and less legacy interference, it is not a universal replacement in mixed environments.
- D. Incorrect.
This is incorrect because increasing 2.4GHz transmit power would often make the congestion problem worse by encouraging even more clients to remain on 2.4GHz. It can also increase co-channel interference and does not address the goal of moving capable devices to better-performing bands.