CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201)NetworkingHard
A technician is designing wireless coverage for a large warehouse with thick metal shelving. The technician must choose between deploying access points using the 2.4GHz band versus the 5GHz band. Which statement correctly describes the trade-off between these two frequency bands?
- A2.4GHz offers longer range with better wall penetration but lower maximum throughput than 5GHz
- B2.4GHz and 5GHz provide identical range and throughput characteristics
- C5GHz always penetrates metal obstructions better than 2.4GHz
- D5GHz offers longer range with better wall penetration but lower maximum throughput than 2.4GHz
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 2.4GHz offers longer range with better wall penetration but lower maximum throughput than 5GHz
Lower frequencies like 2.4GHz travel farther and penetrate solid obstacles such as walls and metal shelving more effectively, but they offer lower maximum data rates due to narrower channel bandwidths and more interference from other devices. 5GHz provides higher throughput but shorter range and weaker penetration through obstacles.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. The two bands have distinctly different propagation and throughput characteristics.
- C. 5GHz signals are more easily blocked by obstacles including metal, not better at penetrating them.
- D. This reverses the actual trade-off; 5GHz has shorter range, not longer.
2.4GHz vs 5GHz Trade-off
2.4GHz wireless signals travel farther and penetrate obstacles better but offer lower maximum throughput; 5GHz offers higher throughput but shorter range and weaker penetration.
- Lower frequency = longer range, better penetration, lower speed
- Higher frequency = shorter range, more interference susceptibility to obstacles, higher speed
- 2.4GHz has more channel overlap and interference from other devices
Memory trick: Low frequency travels far but slow; high frequency is fast but frail.