Question

An AP has been configured to use channel 1 with a transmit power of 20 dBm. With the AP located in the center of the lobby, you have determined that its signal will reach all locations in the lobby area. However, some users with small battery-operated devices report connectivity problems when they move toward the outer walls of the lobby. Which one of the following approaches should fix the problem?

A. Increase the AP’s transmit power to increase its range

B. Increase the client device’s transmit power

C. Decrease the client device’s transmit power

D. Enable some lower data rates on the AP

I answered B and D. My instructor said the right answer is B and ONLY B. Could someone explain why the answer is B and ONLY B?

Answer 1

It is easy to understand this. The issue here is that the devices with low battery are not able to connect rather than data rates are not a question here as initial connectivity itself is not happening and there is no point in speaking about data rates. Now the requirement is some how you have to make the device to connect. If other normal devices are able to connect then it means that AP is able to reach all of them. The issue here is that low battery devices are not able to reach. The statement is very clear that these are not able to transmit the data to a longer distance(to AP). Hence connectivity is not success. So we know that if the transmission power of the device is increased, the distance or range covered by the device will also increase. Hence the device can reach AP easily.