What is an SSID and what is its function in a WLAN?

• A. It assigns IP addresses to clients via DHCP.
• B. It determines connection passwords.
• C. It controls which frequencies can be used in the network.
• D. Service Set Identifier; the network name broadcast by an AP to be discovered by clients.

Answer: (D)

An SSID is the name of a wireless network. It’s the identifier that access points broadcast so devices can discover and choose which WLAN to join. When you scan for networks, you see the list of SSIDs, and you select the one you want to connect to. This name is carried in beacon frames and probe responses from the AP, helping clients recognize the specific network, especially when multiple networks are in range. It isn’t about assigning IP addresses (that’s DHCP), it isn’t a password or security setting, and it doesn’t control the frequencies used (that’s determined by the channel configuration). So the SSID’s purpose is to serve as the network name broadcast by the AP for discovery by clients.