A retailer wants one access point to join the controller and test the store WLAN as a client would, rather than serve shoppers or feed a protocol analyzer. Which mode fits?
Select an answer to reveal the explanation.
Short Explanation
You want a stand-in shopper, not another radio selling the SSID and not a packet vacuum. Sensor mode is the access point that joins in order to test the WLAN. Sniffer mode is the vacuum.
Full Explanation
Sensor mode puts an access point into a test role. It joins the controller and exercises the WLAN the way a client would, instead of serving shoppers. Shoppers should not see it advertising the store SSID. That matches the retailer's request, including the part that says they do not want a protocol analyzer. Local mode serves clients. It is not a test client, and it does not capture every frame as its job. Sniffer mode is the analyzer feed. It does not associate as a client, and it does capture frames, so the description that it associates and does not capture reverses the mode. Bridge mode is a mesh backhaul. It does not become a shopper's default gateway in order to run a WLAN test. Exam caveat: a sensor is not capacity. Using the only access point in a store as a sensor takes away the radio that should serve shoppers. Operational check: set the mode, confirm the access point is reported as a sensor and is not serving the store SSID, and confirm the test you care about actually runs.