Final answer:
The RTS/CTS protocol should be enabled on a wireless LAN when there is network congestion, collisions, interference from neighboring networks, and the need to improve speed of data transmission.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Request to Send/Clear to Send (RTS/CTS) protocol is used on a wireless LAN to reduce network congestion and collisions. It is typically enabled when there are multiple devices trying to access the network simultaneously, which can lead to interference and reduced performance. By using the RTS/CTS protocol, devices can take turns transmitting data, reducing the chance of collisions and improving overall network performance.
Enabling RTS/CTS can also help in reducing interference from neighboring networks. When multiple wireless networks operate in close proximity, they can interfere with each other's signals, leading to degraded performance. By using RTS/CTS, devices can coordinate their transmissions and avoid interference from neighboring networks.
However, enabling RTS/CTS may introduce additional overhead and can slightly reduce the overall throughput of the network. It is important to carefully evaluate the network environment and consider the trade-off between network congestion, collisions, interference, and throughput before deciding to enable RTS/CTS.