Practice Test Geeks(CWS) Certified Wireless Specialist Practice Test
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WLAN Hardware & Software Components Flashcards

7 cards from real CWS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. Which component in a WLAN infrastructure stores and distributes 802.11 security policies, such as WPA3 configuration and SSID profiles?

    Answer: Wireless LAN controller or cloud management platform

    The WLC or cloud management platform (e.g., Cisco Meraki, Aruba Central) is the centralized point for defining, storing, and distributing security policies to all managed APs.

  2. What is the key difference between a WLAN bridge and a WLAN repeater?

    Answer: A bridge connects two separate network segments; a repeater extends a single network's coverage area

    A wireless bridge connects two distinct network segments (e.g., two buildings), while a repeater extends the coverage of an existing wireless network without creating a separate segment.

  3. An enterprise AP supports 4x4:4 MIMO. What does the last digit (4 after the colon) represent?

    Answer: The number of spatial streams

    In MIMO notation TxR:S, S represents the number of independent spatial streams that can be transmitted or received simultaneously, directly impacting throughput.

  4. What is the purpose of a wireless LAN probe (or passive site survey tool) used during a post-deployment validation?

    Answer: To passively listen to 802.11 frames and measure RSSI, SNR, and channel utilization at various locations

    A passive survey tool (e.g., a laptop with site survey software) moves through the coverage area collecting RSSI, SNR, and protocol metrics to validate that coverage meets design requirements.

  5. Which 802.11 frame type is used by an AP to periodically announce its presence, SSID, and supported rates to nearby clients?

    Answer: Beacon frame

    Beacon frames are management frames broadcast by APs at regular intervals (typically every 100 ms) to advertise network parameters including SSID, supported rates, and security capabilities.

  6. A customer wants to deploy a WLAN in a high-density auditorium seating 500 people. Which AP hardware characteristic is most critical for this scenario?

    Answer: High client density support with MU-MIMO and BSS Coloring

    High-density environments require APs with MU-MIMO (Multi-User MIMO) and 802.11ax BSS Coloring to serve many simultaneous clients efficiently while minimizing co-channel interference.

  7. What is the function of a WLAN network management system (NMS) such as Cisco Prime Infrastructure or Aruba Airwave?

    Answer: To provide centralized monitoring, configuration, reporting, and troubleshooting of WLAN infrastructure

    A WLAN NMS aggregates data from controllers and APs to provide administrators with a unified dashboard for monitoring health, pushing configurations, generating reports, and troubleshooting issues.