A network administrator redesigned the positioning of the APs to create adjacent areas of wireless coverage. After project validation, some users still report poor connectivity when their devices maintain an association to a distanced AP. Which of the following should the network administrator check first?

A. Validate the roaming settings on the APs and WLAN clients
B. Verify that the AP antenna type is correct for the new layout
C. Check to see if MU-MIMO was properly activated on the APs
D. Deactivate the 2.4GHz band on the APs

The network administrator should first check and validate the roaming settings on the APs and the WLAN clients to ensure devices can effectively switch between APs. Other possible steps include verifying the antenna type and MU-MIMO settings, but these would not be the first line of inquiry.

Explanation:

When users report poor connectivity due to their devices maintaining an association to a distanced AP (Access Point), the network administrator should first validate the roaming settings on the APs and the WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) clients. Roaming settings are crucial for allowing client devices to seamlessly transition between APs, providing the best possible signal as they move through the covered area. Factors like signal strength thresholds, minimum RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator), and roaming aggressiveness influence how and when a device decides to switch to a closer AP.

If roaming settings are optimized and the issue persists, then the network administrator can consider checking for other factors that might impact wireless connectivity, such as the antenna type used by the APs or whether MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output) is enabled, which can improve network efficiency and client serving capability. However, deactivating the 2.4GHz band may not be the best first step as it might impact compatibility with devices that only support that frequency.