You need to determine how far apart access points operating on the same channel ought to be placed. In this scenario, what is the recommended signal strength when determining this information?

Question

Options

• A-30 dBm
• B-10 dBm
• C-5 dBm
• D-65 dBm

• A
  4% (1)
• B
  12% (3)
• C
  4% (1)
• D
  80% (20)

Explanation

-65 dBm is the industry-standard signal strength threshold used when planning same-channel access point spacing because it represents the outer edge of acceptable cell coverage. When designing a wireless network, you space same-channel APs far enough apart so that by the time a client can hear a neighboring AP's signal, it reads no stronger than -65 dBm - weak enough to avoid significant co-channel interference while still providing a clean handoff boundary.

Why the distractors are wrong: -30 dBm, -10 dBm, and -5 dBm all represent very strong signals (remember: dBm values closer to 0 are stronger). Using any of these as the spacing threshold would place APs extremely close together, causing severe co-channel interference that degrades throughput for all nearby clients - the opposite of good design.

Memory tip: Think of -65 dBm as the "edge of the cell" rule - it's also commonly cited as the minimum signal strength a client needs for reliable connectivity, so it naturally marks the boundary where one AP's coverage ends and another's should begin. If you remember "-65 for minimum usable signal," you've also remembered the same-channel spacing threshold.

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