In wireless discovery, which action characterizes active scanning?

In wireless discovery, which action characterizes active scanning?

• A. Broadcasting a probe request frame
• B. Observing beacon frames only
• C. Waiting for beacons without sending frames
• D. Sniffing the airwave

Answer: (A)

Active scanning means actively seeking out networks by sending frames to prompt responses. In wireless discovery, this is done by broadcasting a probe request frame. When a nearby access point hears that probe request, it can reply with a probe response, providing information such as SSID and capabilities. This contrasts with passive scanning, where you only listen for beacon frames that access points periodically broadcast, without sending any frames yourself. Waiting for beacons or simply observing beacon frames are both passive approaches. Sniffing the airwave is a general description of monitoring radio traffic and doesn’t specify the act of initiating discovery. Therefore, broadcasting a probe request frame is the action that characterizes active scanning.

Active scanning means actively seeking out networks by sending frames to prompt responses. In wireless discovery, this is done by broadcasting a probe request frame. When a nearby access point hears that probe request, it can reply with a probe response, providing information such as SSID and capabilities. This contrasts with passive scanning, where you only listen for beacon frames that access points periodically broadcast, without sending any frames yourself. Waiting for beacons or simply observing beacon frames are both passive approaches. Sniffing the airwave is a general description of monitoring radio traffic and doesn’t specify the act of initiating discovery. Therefore, broadcasting a probe request frame is the action that characterizes active scanning.