WGU C172 NETWORK AND SECURITY - FOUNDATIONS; PA AND OA QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS | NEW UPDATE 2026

WGU C172 NETWORK AND SECURITY - FOUNDATIONS; PA AND OA QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS | NEW UPDATE 2026


Question 1
What is the primary function of the Wi-Fi Alliance?
A) To develop the initial IEEE 802.11 protocols.
B) To act as a global Internet Service Provider (ISP).
C) To test and certify wireless equipment for compliance with 802.11x standards.
D) To regulate the physical installation of fiber optic cables.
E) To assign IP addresses to home networking devices.

Correct Answer: C) An organization whose function is to test and certify wireless equipment
for compliance with the 802.11x standards
Rationale: The Wi-Fi Alliance is a non-profit organization that promotes wireless
technology and interoperability. While the IEEE develops the technical standards (like
802.11g), the Wi-Fi Alliance ensures that hardware from different manufacturers actually
works together by testing and certifying them for "Wi-Fi" compliance.

Question 2
The term "802.11x" is best described as:
A) A specific security encryption protocol used in the 1990s.
B) A single high-speed standard that replaced all previous versions.
C) A group of wireless standards developed under IEEE 802.11.
D) The maximum number of devices that can connect to a single router.
E) A type of wired Ethernet connection used for servers.

Correct Answer: C) A group of wireless standards developed under IEEE 802.11
Rationale: In networking terminology, "802.11x" serves as a collective reference to the
family of specifications developed by the IEEE for wireless local area network (WLAN)
communication. This includes various iterations such as a, b, g, n, and others that define
different speeds and frequencies.

Question 3
What is the maximum data transfer rate supported by the 802.11a wireless standard?
A) 11 Mbps

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B) 22 Mbps
C) 54 Mbps
D) 200 Mbps
E) 1 Gbps

Correct Answer: C) 54 mbps
Rationale: Introduced around the same time as 802.11b, the 802.11a standard offered a
much higher bandwidth of 54 Mbps. However, it was often more expensive and had a
shorter range, which initially limited its adoption in home environments compared to
802.11b.

Question 4
Which of the following represents the typical operating range for the 802.11a wireless standard?
A) Up to 25 feet
B) Up to 75 feet
C) 100-150 feet
D) 250-300 feet
E) Over 500 feet

Correct Answer: B) up to 75 feet
Rationale: The 802.11a standard operates at a higher frequency (5 GHz), which allows for
more data but results in poorer obstacle penetration and a shorter effective range—
typically around 75 feet—compared to standards operating at the 2.4 GHz frequency.

Question 5
At which frequency does the 802.11a standard operate?
A) 2.4 GHz
B) 3.6 GHz
C) 5 GHz
D) 60 GHz
E) 900 MHz

Correct Answer: C) 5 GHz
Rationale: 802.11a was unique among early standards for using the 5 GHz band. This

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provided the advantage of less interference from common household items like microwaves
and cordless phones, which typically utilize the crowded 2.4 GHz band.

Question 6
Which group of 802.11x standards all share the 2.4 GHz operating frequency?
A) 802.11a, b, and g
B) 802.11a and n
C) 802.11b, g, and n
D) 802.11a and b only
E) 802.11g and n only

Correct Answer: C) 802.11b,g, and n
Rationale: Standards b, g, and n were designed to operate in the 2.4 GHz spectrum. This
commonality allows for better range and backward compatibility between these specific
versions, though they are subject to more environmental interference than 5 GHz devices.

Question 7
What is the maximum data transfer rate for the 802.11b standard?
A) 5 Mbps
B) 11 Mbps
C) 54 Mbps
D) 100 Mbps
E) 200 Mbps

Correct Answer: B) up to 11 mbps
Rationale: 802.11b was the first widely adopted consumer wireless standard. While its 11
Mbps speed is considered very slow by modern standards, it was revolutionary at the time
for providing wireless mobility at a relatively low cost.

Question 8
What is the typical operating range for an 802.11b wireless network?
A) 10-20 feet
B) 50-75 feet
C) 100-150 feet

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D) 300-400 feet
E) 1 mile

Correct Answer: C) 100-150 feet
Rationale: Because 802.11b operates at 2.4 GHz, it has a longer range than 802.11a. Under
ideal conditions without heavy obstruction, it can reach distances of 100 to 150 feet, making
it suitable for standard home coverage.

Question 9
The 802.11g standard offers a data transfer rate of:
A) 11 Mbps
B) 54 Mbps
C) 108 Mbps
D) 200 Mbps
E) 600 Mbps

Correct Answer: B) up to 54 Mbps
Rationale: 802.11g was designed to provide the high speed of 802.11a (54 Mbps) while
maintaining the 2.4 GHz frequency of 802.11b to ensure better range and backward
compatibility with older "b" devices.

Question 10
What is the operating range for the 802.11g standard?
A) Up to 75 feet
B) Up to 150 feet
C) Up to 300 feet
D) Up to 500 feet
E) Up to 10 feet

Correct Answer: B) up to 150 feet
Rationale: Similar to 802.11b, the "g" standard utilizes the 2.4 GHz frequency, allowing it to
maintain a robust home-wide range of approximately 150 feet while delivering significantly
higher speeds than its predecessor.