When a client station sends a broadcast probe request frame with a wildcard SSID, how do APs respond?

Question

Options

• AEach AP responds in turn after preparing a probe response and winning contention.
• BFor each probe request frame, only one AP may reply with a probe response.
• CEach AP checks with the DHCP server to see if it can respond and then acts accordingly.
• DAfter waiting a SIFS, all APs reply at the same time with a probe response.

• A
  71% (41)
• B
  17% (10)
• C
  3% (2)
• D
  9% (5)

Explanation

In the 802.11 wireless networking protocols, when a client station sends a broadcast probe request frame with a wildcard SSID (Service Set Identifier), it is essentially asking for any nearby access points (APs) to identify themselves. The way APs respond to such a probe request is governed by standard 802.11 behavior, which includes: Probe Request Handling: Upon receiving a broadcast probe request, each AP that can serve the client prepares a probe response. The response includes information about the AP, such as its SSID, supported data rates, and other capabilities. Contention-Based Mechanism: Wireless networks use a contention-based mechanism (CSMA/CA - Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance) for medium access. Each AP must wait for a clear channel and win the contention process before it can send its probe Independent Responses: Each AP operates independently in responding to the probe request. There is no coordination between APs to decide which one responds first or at all, leading to multiple APs sending probe responses, each after winning the contention for the medium.

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