Certified Wireless Network Administrator: Certification Study Guide

This study of wireless networking combines radio frequency (RF) and local area networking (LAN) technology fundamentals. This text begins with the basic concepts and building blocks of the convergence between RF and networking technologies. It focuses on the technologies and tasks vital to installing, managing, and supporting wireless networks, based on the exam objectives of the CWNA certification exam #PW0-100. You will learn wireless technology standards, governing bodies, hardware, RF math, RF behavior, security, troubleshooting, and site survey methodology.

The CWNA certification is a Planet3 Wireless certification program, similar to Avaya, Cisco, Novell, and Microsoft, yet vendor neutral like CompTIA and NACSE. The certification gives networking professionals a standardized set of measurable wireless LAN skills and employers a standard level of wireless LAN expertise to require of their employees.

The wireless LAN industry is still in its infancy, much like the world of networking LANs and WANs was in the early 1990s. Learning wireless networking sets you apart from your peers and your competition.

Key Topics
• Fundamentals of RF behavior
• Features and functions of wireless LAN components
• Installation, configuration, and troubleshooting wireless LAN hardware peripherals and protocols
• Wireless technology organizations and standards
• Spread spectrum technology
• Wireless LAN infrastructure devices
• Antennas and accessories
• 802.11 networking architectures
• Mac and physical layers
• Security
• Site survey methodology

Course Objectives
·Define concepts of radio frequency communications as they apply to contemporary spread spectrum wireless networks including 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, Bluetooth, HomeRF, and OpenAir
·Identify and apply concepts of 802.11 network authentication, association, service sets, roaming, and power management
·Explain concepts of 802.11 physical and data link layer protocols, including media contention, frame timing, modulation, and coding
·Identify and configure wireless LAN devices, antennas, and accessories, including access points, bridges, RF attenuators and amplifiers, and RF cabling
·Troubleshoot common wireless network problems pertaining to RF interference, hidden node, near-far, system throughput, all-band interference, and weather
·Prepare for wireless LAN installations by performing site surveys and auditing security vulnerabilities
·Identify wireless LAN standards and the regulators and organizations responsible for their development and maintenance

These programs provide participants with the tools necessary to further their IT knowledge and skills and to obtain hands-on experience.

This unique, vendor-neutral experience helps prepare participants to pursue IT careers, earn secondary and post-secondary educational degrees, and/or obtain industry certifications.