Wireless Thermostat Troubleshooting: Internet Connectivity Issues

Possible Causes for Thermostat Internet Connection Failure

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Question

After correctly configuring a new wireless enabled thermostat to control the temperature of the company's meeting room, Joe, a network administrator determines that the thermostat is not connecting to the internet-based control system.

Joe verifies that the thermostat received the expected network parameters and it is associated with the AP.

Additionally, the other wireless mobile devices connected to the same wireless network are functioning properly.

The network administrator verified that the thermostat works when tested at his residence.

Which of the following is the MOST likely reason the thermostat is not connecting to the internet?

Answers

Explanations

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A. B. C. D.

A.

Based on the scenario provided, we can rule out options A, C, and D, as they are unlikely to be the root cause of the thermostat's inability to connect to the internet-based control system.

Option A, the company implements a captive portal, would only prevent the thermostat from connecting to the internet if the thermostat is unable to authenticate with the captive portal. However, the scenario states that the thermostat received the expected network parameters, which suggests that it successfully authenticated with the captive portal.

Option C, the WPA2 shared key is incorrect, would prevent the thermostat from connecting to the wireless network altogether. However, the scenario states that the thermostat is associated with the access point and received the expected network parameters, which indicates that it successfully connected to the wireless network.

Option D, the company's DHCP server scope is full, would affect all devices on the network, not just the thermostat. Additionally, the scenario states that other wireless mobile devices connected to the same wireless network are functioning properly, which suggests that the DHCP server is not the issue.

This leaves us with option B, the thermostat is using the incorrect encryption algorithm, as the most likely reason for the thermostat's inability to connect to the internet-based control system. It's possible that the thermostat is using an encryption algorithm that is not supported by the company's wireless network, or it may be using a different encryption algorithm than the one configured on the wireless access point. To resolve this issue, Joe should ensure that the thermostat is using the correct encryption algorithm and that it matches the configuration on the wireless access point.