Function of the Distance Command on an Autonomous 802.11 Bridge

B.

The "distance" command is a configuration option available on autonomous 802.11 bridges, which are devices used to connect two separate networks together wirelessly. The purpose of the "distance" command is to adjust the bridge's timeout values to account for the time required for radio signals to travel from one bridge to another.

Option B is the correct answer. When two 802.11 bridges are communicating wirelessly, there is a delay caused by the time it takes for radio signals to travel from one bridge to the other. This delay is known as propagation delay and can affect the reliability and performance of the bridge link.

The "distance" command allows the network administrator to adjust the bridge's timeout values to account for this propagation delay. By increasing the timeout values, the bridges will wait longer for a response before timing out and assuming that the other bridge is no longer available. This can help to ensure that the bridge link remains stable and reliable, even when there is some delay caused by the distance between the two bridges.

Option A is incorrect because adjusting the data rate of the packet transmission is not related to the "distance" command. The data rate can be adjusted separately using other configuration options.

Option C is also incorrect because the "distance" command is not meant to give the person reading the configuration an idea of how far apart the bridge links are. Instead, it is used to adjust the bridge's timeout values to account for propagation delay.

Option D is incorrect because the "distance" command does not increase the time needed for authentication. Authentication is a separate process that occurs before the bridges start communicating with each other and is not affected by the "distance" command.