Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) NetworkingNetworking FundamentalsMedium

A network administrator is designing a new wireless network for a large open-plan office. The goal is to provide high-speed connectivity with minimal interference, supporting many concurrent users. Which Wi-Fi standard is best suited for this environment, primarily operating in the 5 GHz band?

  1. A802.11a
  2. B802.11b
  3. C802.11ac
  4. D802.11g
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C. 802.11ac

802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) operates exclusively in the 5 GHz band, offering higher data rates and less interference than 2.4 GHz bands. This makes it ideal for dense environments with many users requiring high-speed connectivity.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. 802.11a operates in 5 GHz but offers much lower speeds than 802.11ac and is an older standard.
  • B. 802.11b operates only in the 2.4 GHz band and offers very low speeds, making it unsuitable for high-speed.
  • D. 802.11g operates in the 2.4 GHz band and offers speeds comparable to 802.11a, but is prone to more interference.

802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5)

802.11ac, also known as Wi-Fi 5, is a wireless networking standard that provides high throughput over the 5 GHz frequency band.

  • Operates exclusively in the 5 GHz band.
  • Supports multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO).
  • Offers significantly higher theoretical speeds than previous standards.

Memory trick: AC means A Class connection, Always Clear.

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