Ekahau Sample ECSE Troubleshooting exam questions and their possible answers:

WLAN Troubleshooting Methodology

1. Question: You are troubleshooting a Wi-Fi network and notice that the signal strength is very weak in certain areas. What systematic approach would you take to identify and resolve this issue?
   • Answer: The systematic approach to troubleshooting a Wi-Fi network with weak signal strength in certain areas would involve the following steps:
     • Identify the problem: Conduct a site survey to identify the areas with weak signal strength.
     • Establish a theory of probable cause: Possible causes could include interference from other devices, the access point being too far away, or physical obstructions blocking the signal.
     • Test the theory: Use a Wi-Fi analyser tool to check for interference and signal strength at various points in the area.
     • Establish a plan of action: Depending on the cause, the plan could involve moving the access point, adding additional access points, or removing physical obstructions.
     • Verify full system functionality: Conduct another site survey to ensure that the signal strength has improved in the previously weak areas.

Troubleshooting Across All Three Bands

2. Question: You are troubleshooting a Wi-Fi network operating in the 6 GHz band. What unique challenges does this band present compared to the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, and how would you address them?

– Answer: The 6 GHz band presents unique challenges compared to the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands due to its relatively new adoption in Wi-Fi networks. One challenge is the availability of devices that support this band. Another challenge is the increased potential for interference due to the larger number of available channels. To address these challenges, it’s important to ensure that both the network infrastructure and client devices support the 6 GHz band and to carefully plan the channel allocation to minimize interference.

Advanced Surveying and Analyzing Survey Results

3. Question: You have conducted an advanced Wi-Fi survey and are analyzing the results. You notice that there are areas with high co-channel interference. What could be the possible reasons for this, and what steps would you take to mitigate this issue?

– Answer: High co-channel interference could be due to a high density of access points operating on the same channel. To mitigate this issue, you could reduce the transmit power of the access points, increase the minimum data rate, or manually assign channels to the access points to ensure a good channel distribution.

Understanding WLAN Protocol

4. Question: Explain the role of the RTS/CTS mechanism in WLAN protocol. How can understanding this mechanism help in troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks?

– Answer: The RTS/CTS mechanism is used in WLAN protocol to avoid collisions during data transmission. Understanding this mechanism can help in troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks by identifying issues related to high collision rates or poor network performance due to excessive RTS/CTS overhead.

Capturing and Analyzing WLAN Protocol

5. Question: You have captured WLAN protocol data and notice a large number of retransmissions. What could be the possible reasons for this, and how would you resolve this issue?

– Answer: A large number of retransmissions could be due to poor signal quality, high interference, or network congestion. To resolve this issue, you could improve the signal quality by adjusting the placement of access points, reduce interference by selecting less congested channels, or manage network congestion by implementing QoS policies.

WLAN Security

6. Question: You are troubleshooting a Wi-Fi network and users are reporting difficulty connecting to the network. You suspect it might be a security-related issue. What steps would you take to confirm this and resolve the issue?

– Answer: If users are having difficulty connecting to the Wi-Fi network and you suspect it might be a security-related issue, you could check the security settings on the access point and the client devices to ensure they match. You could also check the authentication server (if one is used) to ensure it is functioning properly. If the issue persists, you could capture and analyse the WLAN protocol data to identify any security-related errors.

Remember, these are hypothetical Ekahau questions and answers and may not reflect the exact format or content of the actual exam. The best way to prepare for the exam is to thoroughly understand the course material and practice as much as possible. Good luck with your preparation!