As a subscriber enters a hotspot area, what signals their mobile wireless device of an available Wi-Fi network?

As a subscriber enters a hotspot area, what signals their mobile wireless device of an available Wi-Fi network?

• A. The device randomly detects the network through ambient beacons.
• B. The access point queries all wireless devices within range to check for connections.
• C. The router broadcasts a password.
• D. The client begins scanning with active probes.

Answer: (B)

Wi‑Fi network discovery happens when a device learns there’s an available network by listening for management frames from nearby access points and, if needed, by actively probing to discover networks. Access points regularly broadcast beacon frames that advertise the network name (SSID) and the AP’s capabilities, so a device moving into a hotspot can detect that a network exists without initiating any connection. The device can also actively scan by sending probe requests to solicit responses from APs in range, which helps it learn about networks even if beacons aren’t being heard at that moment. This is how a device becomes aware of an available Wi‑Fi network: the signal comes from the network itself through beacons and probe responses, not from the AP querying devices or from a router broadcasting a password.

Wi‑Fi network discovery happens when a device learns there’s an available network by listening for management frames from nearby access points and, if needed, by actively probing to discover networks. Access points regularly broadcast beacon frames that advertise the network name (SSID) and the AP’s capabilities, so a device moving into a hotspot can detect that a network exists without initiating any connection. The device can also actively scan by sending probe requests to solicit responses from APs in range, which helps it learn about networks even if beacons aren’t being heard at that moment. This is how a device becomes aware of an available Wi‑Fi network: the signal comes from the network itself through beacons and probe responses, not from the AP querying devices or from a router broadcasting a password.