N10-009 Question 25
Single answerWireless: Access point (AP), ControllerA company has deployed 35 wireless access points across three floors of an office building. Users report that when they walk between conference rooms during VoIP calls, the calls often drop or pause for several seconds. The SSID and security settings are configured identically on all APs, but each AP is currently managed individually. The network team wants to reduce roaming interruptions and simplify wireless management going forward. Which solution would BEST address both requirements?
- A
Install a wireless LAN controller and migrate the APs to centralized management
- B
Increase the transmit power on every AP so clients stay connected to the same AP longer
- C
Assign a different SSID to each floor so clients can manually select the strongest signal
- D
Replace all APs with unmanaged switches that support PoE for easier deployment
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The best answer is to deploy a wireless LAN controller (WLC) and move the APs under centralized management. In multi-AP enterprise environments, controllers are commonly used to standardize configuration, simplify firmware updates, manage RF settings, and support more seamless client mobility than independently managed APs. While roaming decisions are ultimately made by the client device, controller-based architectures can improve the environment in which roaming occurs and reduce interruptions during movement. By contrast, simply raising AP power often creates larger cells, more interference, and sticky-client behavior. Different SSIDs per floor make mobility less seamless, and PoE switching addresses power delivery rather than wireless control. This aligns with common enterprise wireless design guidance from vendors such as Cisco, Aruba, and Juniper Mist, as well as general Wi-Fi best practices for controller-based deployments.
- A. Correct.
Correct. A wireless LAN controller (WLC) provides centralized AP management and helps coordinate features that improve client roaming behavior, such as consistent RF management, coordinated configuration, and mobility-related functions depending on the vendor implementation. In an environment with many APs, centralized control is a standard best practice because it reduces configuration drift and improves operational consistency.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Increasing transmit power is a common mistake. It can actually make roaming worse by causing sticky clients to remain associated to a weaker AP longer instead of transitioning to a closer AP. Excessive power can also increase co-channel interference and reduce overall wireless performance.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Using different SSIDs per floor would increase administrative overhead and make roaming less seamless, since clients may need to disconnect and reconnect between coverage areas. Best practice in enterprise environments is typically to use the same SSID for the same network service across APs to support smoother mobility.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. PoE switches help power APs and simplify cabling, but they do not provide wireless management or roaming optimization. Replacing APs with switches would not provide wireless access at all, so this does not solve the business or technical problem.