Which term describes the operation mode of a basic service set (BSS)?

• A. Ad Hoc mode.
• B. Independent mode.
• C. Infrastructure mode.
• D. Hybrid mode.

Answer: (C)

A Basic Service Set (BSS) typically operates in a mode where an access point acts as the central hub coordinating all communication and bridging to the rest of the network. This is infrastructure mode. In this setup, all stations associate with the AP, send frames to it, and the AP handles distribution onto the wired network. The BSS is identified by the AP’s MAC address (the BSSID), reflecting that centralized coordination.

In contrast, ad hoc mode (often called an independent basic service set) has devices talking directly to each other without an AP, forming a peer-to-peer network rather than a BSS managed by a central controller. Hybrid mode isn’t a standard 802.11 term for BSS operation. So the term that describes the operation mode of a BSS is infrastructure mode.