Pass the Cisco CCIE Wireless 350-101 Questions and answers with CertsForce

The correct configuration issecurity wpa wpa2 ciphers gcmp256. The WLAN already contains WPA3, SAE, FT-SAE, SAE-EXT-KEY, and FT-SAE-EXT-KEY AKMs, so adding another SAE-EXT-KEY command is not the missing element. For Wi-Fi 7 operation, Cisco states that WPA3-Personal requiresGCMP256 with SAE-EXT-KEY and/or FT + SAE-EXT-KEY, and that AES/CCMP128 clients do not operate as Wi-Fi 7 clients when the required stronger cipher combination is absent. Cisco’s Catalyst 9800 WPA3 security enhancement guide gives the CLI syntax directly:security wpa wpa2 ciphers gcmp256, which configures GCMP-256 cipher support.

Option D is therefore the only valid WLC command that enables the required cipher for Wi-Fi 7-capable client operation and higher throughput behavior. Option A uses incorrect syntax and is already functionally represented in the exhibit assecurity wpa akm sae ext-key. Options B and C use invalid cipher constructs; TKIP is legacy and incompatible with modern high-throughput WLAN operation. Reference topics:802.11be/Wi-Fi 7 security requirements, WPA3-Personal, SAE-EXT-KEY, GCMP-256 cipher support, and Catalyst 9800 WLAN security configuration.

The exhibit creates WLAN profileguest-networkwith WLAN ID20and enables web authentication, but it does not yet define the client VLAN or bind the WLAN to a deployable policy. On Catalyst 9800 controllers, the WLAN profile defines SSID and wireless/security characteristics, while thepolicy profiledefines client-facing network policy, including VLAN assignment, AAA, ACLs, and switching behavior. Cisco’s web authentication configuration guide states that the policy profile specifies client VLAN, AAA, ACLs, timeout settings, and related policy, and the VLAN is assigned under the policy profile.

The second required object is thepolicy tag, because a policy tag maps the WLAN profile to the policy profile. Cisco also notes that the default policy tag automatically maps only WLAN IDs1 through 16; WLAN ID17 or highercannot use that default mapping. Since this WLAN is ID 20, a custom policy tag mapping is required. Mesh bridging, STP, AP group naming, or physical-interface isolation do not complete the Catalyst 9800 WLAN-to-VLAN policy model. Reference topics:Wireless Network Implementation — Catalyst 9800 configuration model, WLAN profiles, policy profiles, policy tags, guest VLAN assignment, and web authentication.

The correct Cisco technology isAI Network Analytics. Cisco describes Cisco AI Network Analytics as a Catalyst Center capability that uses machine learning and machine reasoning to generate deployment-specific insights, identify operational issues, and accelerate troubleshooting. Cisco’s official Catalyst Center Assurance documentation states that Cisco AI Network Analytics uses advanced machine learning techniques and an advanced cloud learning platform with deidentified network event data to identify critical issues in the network.

This makes option D the only precise match. Catalyst Center Assurance is the broader assurance and monitoring framework where AI Network Analytics is surfaced, but it is not the specific technology named in the question. Network Services is a generic platform function area, not the AI/ML analytics feature. Catalyst Center LLM Insights is not the established Cisco wireless assurance feature associated with cloud-based machine learning for issue detection. AI Network Analytics provides AI-driven baselining, anomaly detection, root-cause assistance, trends, insights, and comparative benchmarking. Cisco also documents that the AI Network Analytics cloud runs machine learning models using deidentified network event data and returns issues and insights back into Catalyst Center. Reference topics:Automation and AI — Cisco Catalyst Center, AI Network Analytics, AI-driven baselining, anomaly detection, and wireless assurance intelligence.

Migrating a Cisco Catalyst AP to Meraki cloud management requires issuing a specific CLI command on the WLC to switch the AP's management mode. The correct syntax isap management mode meraki force noprompt, which instructs the controller to transition the AP to Meraki mode, bypassing validation prompts that normally require manual confirmation. Theforcekeyword ensures the command is executed even if the AP is actively associated or configured, andnopromptsuppresses confirmation dialogues for unattended migration. Options A, C, and D are invalid syntax or improperly order the parameters, which would result in a CLI error. Cisco Wireless Core Technologies recommend this approach during enterprise migration scenarios where multiple APs are moved from Catalyst WLC management to cloud-based Meraki management, enabling centralized configuration and monitoring in a large-scale deployment. Using this command ensures a seamless transition without service disruption, while maintaining inventory consistency and supporting automation for mass AP migrations. Reference topics:Wireless Network Implementation — AP management mode migration, Meraki cloud integration, CLI AP management, Catalyst 9176 WLC migration.

YANG represents network configuration and operational state as a hierarchical data model. In Cisco model-driven programmability, YANG is used with NETCONF to model configuration and state data so that client applications can programmatically retrieve, edit, and manage device configuration. Cisco states that YANG is used with NETCONF for automated and programmable network operations, and that YANG primarily models the configuration and state data used by NETCONF operations.

The correct hierarchy is thetree and leaf-based structure. Cisco’s YANG model structure description defines it as a hierarchical framework that organizes data into a tree with top-level nodes and nested child nodes, and groups related data through containers, lists, and leaves. In this model, containers and lists create structure, while leaf nodes hold actual values such as interface names, VLAN IDs, descriptions, IP addresses, or policy parameters. Option B describes a relationship inside the hierarchy, but it is not the full YANG modeling hierarchy. Options A and C are not valid YANG/NETCONF structural models. Reference topics:Automation and AI — model-driven programmability, NETCONF, YANG data models, configuration/state data, and Cisco IOS XE programmability.

Bridge mode in a Cisco wireless mesh deployment allows access points to operate as mesh infrastructure nodes, typically as a Root AP (RAP) or Mesh AP (MAP), so Ethernet segments can be connected across a wireless backhaul. Cisco’s mesh design documentation states that in a point-to-point bridging scenario, a mesh AP can extend a remote network by using the backhaul radio “to bridge two segments of a switched network.” This directly maps to option A: point-to-point communication between network segments.

In Catalyst 9800 mesh deployments, Cisco documents converting an AP to bridge mode withcapwap ap mode bridge, after which the AP rejoins the controller in bridge mode and can be assigned a mesh role. Cisco also defines the RAP as the AP with the wired connection toward the WLC, while the MAP joins through its radio path toward the RAP. Option B is incorrect because bridge mode does not force all traffic to 2.4 GHz; Cisco mesh backhaul can use configured backhaul radios. Option C describes RRM/TPC behavior, not bridge mode. Option D incorrectly associates mesh bridge mode with WAN edge functions. Reference topics:Wireless Network Implementation — mesh AP roles, RAP/MAP operation, wireless backhaul, and Ethernet bridging.

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The correct method issoftware image management workflows, specifically Cisco Catalyst Center Software Image Management, commonly referenced as SWIM. Cisco documents SWIM as the mechanism used to manage software upgrades and maintain consistency of image versions across the network. It provides an image repository, golden-image assignment, image distribution, activation, readiness checks, and scheduled execution. Cisco’s wireless automation guidance specifically states that SWIM is used to update Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controller software by distributing the image from the Catalyst Center repository to wireless controllers and upgrading the images running on those controllers; both stages can run immediately or be scheduled for a defined maintenance window.

Option C is also validated by Catalyst Center’s update-status and workflow views. Cisco documentsImage Update Statusas the view that shows all update tasks, filters by in-progress, success, or failure, and displays a progress bar for active updates. The workflow view then exposes distribution and activation task status, timing, prechecks, postchecks, checksum verification, and AP pre-image download details. Inventory snapshots and templates do not execute controller firmware upgrades, and “lifecycle workflow” is too generic. Reference topics:Wireless Monitoring and Management — Catalyst Center SWIM, image compliance, golden images, controller upgrade automation, and update progress reporting.

Fast transition is the correct solution because it refers to IEEE 802.11r Fast BSS Transition, which reduces the authentication delay when a wireless client roams from one AP to another. Cisco describes 802.11r Fast Transition as a feature for seamless wireless roaming and states that, after configuration, the WLAN supports faster client roaming between access points. Cisco’s Catalyst 9800 roaming documentation also identifies 802.11r as the mechanism focused on seamless transition between APs, while 802.11k and 802.11v assist with neighbor reporting and network-assisted roaming decisions.

The core advantage is that key negotiation and authentication preparation occur before or during the roam, reducing the interruption experienced by latency-sensitive applications such as voice, video, collaboration tools, and real-time enterprise applications. Static VLAN policy only controls segmentation and does not accelerate roaming. Optimized roaming can help discourage sticky clients from remaining associated to poor-quality APs, but it is not the primary fast-roam authentication mechanism. A redundant RF profile is not an 802.11 roaming solution. Reference topics:802.11r Fast BSS Transition, client roaming, WLAN mobility behavior, Catalyst 9800 WLAN security, and seamless roaming design.

AI Enhanced RRM is not a static-threshold tuning feature and it is not designed to simply raise AP transmit power. Cisco defines AI Enhanced RRM as a radio resource management technology that applies artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize RF environments, uses distributed data collection from Cisco wireless controllers with cloud-based analytics, and automates adaptive RF parameter tuning for Cisco wireless networks.

The operational model is telemetry-driven. RF telemetry is collected from APs by the Catalyst 9800 WLC, sent through Cisco Catalyst Center to the Cisco AI Analytics Cloud, analyzed by RRM algorithms, and then configuration-change information is returned through Catalyst Center toward the managed wireless infrastructure. Cisco’s AI-Enhanced RRM deployment guide further identifies DCA, TPC, FRA, and DBS as examples of optimizations performed, meaning the feature enhances dynamic RF control rather than disabling it.

Therefore, option D is the only correct answer. Options A, B, and C describe either legacy/static behavior, harmful power-only logic, or a fixed RF design model that contradicts Cisco AI Enhanced RRM. Reference topics:Automation and AI — AI/ML-driven RF optimization, Catalyst Center assurance, RRM telemetry, DCA, TPC, FRA, and DBS.

The failure is occurring during WPA/WPA2 key management, not during mobility anchoring. The radioactive trace showsFailed to validate eapol mic. MIC mismatchfollowed byFailed to validate eapol key m2, which means the authenticator and supplicant derived different key material during the PSK handshake. Cisco’s Catalyst 9800 client-connectivity troubleshooting maps this log pattern directly to a wrong password condition and lists the corrective actions as fixing the password on the endpoint or on the SSID/WLAN. The11r MIC validation failedphrase does not automatically make 802.11r the root cause; it only shows that the failed MIC validation occurred while Fast Transition key logic was in use. Disabling 802.11r would be a workaround only for client capability or FT interoperability issues, but the trace points to PSK mismatch. Removing the anchor WLC would break the intended DMZ anchoring design, and matching WLANs on foreign and anchor is required for anchor deployments, but it would not produce this EAPOL M2 MIC failure. The correct remediation is to ensure the client-entered PSK matches the WLAN PSK. Reference topics: WPA/WPA2-PSK authentication, EAPOL 4-way handshake, Catalyst 9800 radioactive trace analysis, and client connectivity troubleshooting.