A+ 220-1101 Book

A cellular card is a device that allows a laptop to connect to the internet using a cellular network, such as 4G or 5G. A cellular card can provide internet access when the user travels and does not have access to a Wi-Fi network. A cellular card may require a subscription plan from a cellular service provider. A Wi-Fi extender is a device that boosts the signal of an existing Wi-Fi network, but it does not provide internet access by itself. Bluetooth is a wireless technology that allows devices to communicate over short distances, but it does not provide internet access either. GPS is a satellite-based system that provides location and navigation information, but it does not provide internet access as well. References:

The most likely cause of the wireless network connectivity issues is A. External interference.

External interference is any signal or noise that disrupts or degrades the quality of a wireless network. External interference can come from various sources, such as other wireless networks, cordless phones, microwaves, Bluetooth devices, or electrical appliances. External interference can affect the wireless network performance, reliability, and security, by causing issues such as signal loss, packet drops, latency, or interference.

In this scenario, a company in a large building uses a wireless network for its workstations. After a new company moves into the building on the floor below, the old company’s wireless network begins experiencing connectivity issues. This could indicate that the new company’s wireless network is using the same or overlapping frequency channel as the old company’s wireless network, and creating external interference. Wireless networks use radio frequency channels to transmit and receive data, and each channel has a certain bandwidth and range. If two or more wireless networks use the same or overlapping channel, they may interfere with each other and cause congestion or collision.

To resolve this issue, the old company’s network technician should change the wireless network channel to a different one that is less crowded or more compatible with the wireless network standard. The technician should also check the wireless network settings and features, such as SSID (Service Set Identifier), encryption, authentication, or power level, and adjust them if necessary. The technician should also scan the wireless environment and identify the sources and levels of external interference, and try to avoid or minimize them if possible.

For more information about external interference and how to prevent or reduce it, you can refer to the following web search results: [What Is Wireless Interference?], [How to Find the Best WiFi Channel for Your Router], [How to Reduce Wireless Interference].

The most likely reason is A. Missing Wi-Fi adapter.

A Wi-Fi adapter is a device that allows a computer to connect to a wireless network. A legacy workstation may not have a built-in Wi-Fi adapter, or it may have an outdated or incompatible one. If the workstation does not have a Wi-Fi adapter, it will not be able to detect or access any wireless networks, regardless of the location, signal strength, or configuration of the network.

To fix this issue, the technician can install a Wi-Fi adapter on the workstation, either internally or externally. An internal Wi-Fi adapter is a card that fits into a slot on the motherboard, while an external Wi-Fi adapter is a device that plugs into a USB port. The technician should choose a Wi-Fi adapter that is compatible with the workstation’s operating system, hardware, and wireless standards .

The other options are less likely to be the reason for the issue. A Wi-Fi AP replacement means changing the wireless access point that provides the network connection. This may affect the network name, password, or settings, but it should not prevent the workstation from detecting any wireless networks. A hidden Wi-Fi SSID means that the network name is not broadcasted publicly, but it can still be accessed by entering the name manually. A hidden Wi-Fi SSID may make it harder to find the network, but it should not prevent the workstation from detecting other wireless networks. An incorrect Wi-Fi channel means that the network is using a frequency band that is crowded or interfered by other devices. This may affect the network performance or stability, but it should not prevent the workstation from detecting any wireless networks.

References:

How to Add Wi-Fi to a Desktop Computer - How-To Geek

How to Choose a Wireless Adapter for Your Computer - Lifewire

Troubleshooting Wireless Network Connections - Intel

To route traffic to the next network. An IPv4 gateway is a device that connects two or more networks and forwards packets based on their destination IP addresses. It acts as an intermediary between a host and the rest of the internet, allowing communication across different networks. A gateway does not distribute IP addresses, generate ARP traffic, or assign APIPA addresses, as these are functions of other network components.