Users in an open-plan office complain that their 802.11ac laptops keep dropping to slow speeds even beside the access point. A technician finds the AP is broadcasting on both bands and clients are attaching to the 2.4 GHz radio. Which single change best improves their throughput?
- ASwitch the affected clients to the 5 GHz band, which offers wider channels and less congestion for 802.11ac Correct
- BMove all clients to the 2.4 GHz band, which travels further and therefore sustains faster speeds
- CSet the 2.4 GHz radio to a 40 MHz channel width to double the available bandwidth per client
- DDisable the 5 GHz radio so every device shares one band and roaming decisions become simpler
Why A is correct: 802.11ac operates on 5 GHz, which provides more non-overlapping channels and wider bonded channels, so moving clients there restores the higher throughput the standard is capable of.
Why B is wrong: 2.4 GHz does reach further, but it is more congested and cannot run 802.11ac, so it lowers rather than raises throughput for these clients.
Why C is wrong: Wider channels can raise throughput, but 40 MHz in the crowded 2.4 GHz band usually increases interference and still cannot deliver 802.11ac rates.
Why D is wrong: Simplifying to one band sounds tidy, but disabling 5 GHz removes the very band 802.11ac needs and forces everyone onto the slower, busier 2.4 GHz radio.