N10-009 Question 177
Single answerAutonomous vs. lightweight APA company is moving from a single office with three standalone wireless access points to a new campus with 40 APs spread across multiple floors. The network team wants to push SSID and security policy changes from one place, simplify firmware updates, and improve roaming behavior for users moving between APs. The branch office must continue operating even if the WAN link to headquarters fails. Which wireless design best meets these requirements?
- A
Deploy autonomous APs at the campus so each AP can be configured and updated individually
- B
Deploy lightweight APs at the campus with a local wireless LAN controller on-site
- C
Deploy a mix of autonomous and lightweight APs on the same SSID so clients can choose the best AP
- D
Replace the APs with unmanaged switches and rely on client devices to handle roaming
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
In larger enterprise WLAN deployments, lightweight APs paired with a wireless LAN controller are commonly used because they reduce administrative overhead and provide centralized control of SSIDs, security settings, radio parameters, and often software updates. This model is especially useful when many APs must be managed consistently across a campus. Autonomous APs are more appropriate for small environments where each AP can be managed separately and where a controller would add unnecessary cost or complexity. The requirement that the branch continue operating during a WAN outage is important: if lightweight APs depend on a remote controller across the WAN, wireless service may be disrupted depending on the vendor design and deployment mode. An on-site controller addresses that risk while preserving the benefits of lightweight AP architecture. This aligns with common enterprise WLAN best practices described in vendor design guides from providers such as Cisco, Aruba, and Juniper Mist, as well as Network+ objectives covering centralized versus standalone wireless management.
- A. Incorrect.
This is incorrect. Autonomous APs are individually managed, which becomes operationally difficult at larger scale. While they can function independently, they do not provide the centralized management and coordinated roaming support the company is specifically seeking. Choosing autonomous APs here reflects the common misconception that independence is more important than manageability in larger wireless deployments.
- B. Correct.
This is correct. Lightweight APs are designed to work with a wireless LAN controller (WLC), which centralizes configuration, policy enforcement, and often firmware management. Placing the controller on-site satisfies the requirement for continued wireless operation during a WAN outage, while also supporting more consistent roaming and easier administration across many APs.
- C. Incorrect.
This is incorrect. Although mixed environments can exist in some networks, using a mix of autonomous and lightweight APs to support the same design goal is not the best solution here. The company wants centralized management and improved roaming consistency across a large deployment. Mixing AP management models increases complexity and does not provide the clean, centralized control the scenario requires.
- D. Incorrect.
This is incorrect. Unmanaged switches do not provide wireless access functionality and cannot replace APs. Client devices can make roaming decisions, but they still require properly deployed wireless infrastructure. This option tests the misconception that roaming is handled entirely by clients without any influence from coordinated AP design and controller-based architecture.