Final answer:
In a WLAN operating in the 2.4 GHz band, access points should have three channels of separation to avoid interference, with channels 1, 6, and 11 commonly used in the US to ensure no overlap.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a wireless LAN (WLAN) operating in the 2.4 GHz band, access points (APs) with adjacent coverage areas should have three channels of separation to avoid interfering with one another. This is because the channels in the 2.4 GHz band are 22 MHz wide, and the center frequencies are only separated by 5 MHz. As a result, adjacent channels overlap. To minimize interference, non-overlapping channels such as 1, 6, and 11 in the United States can be used since they are separated by at least 25 MHz, ensuring that there is no overlap. Implementing at least three channels of separation maximizes the performance and reliability of the WLAN network.