Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA)

Get a head start right out of the gate with a Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) certification. It is the base certification for Enterprise Wi-Fi within the CWNP family of certifications and a springboard toward earning your security, design, analysis, and network expert certifications. Achieving it enhances your networking career profile, providing evidence that you have sought after Wi-Fi knowledge and skills.

The goal of this course is to add Wi-Fi expertise to a networking professional s skill set while covering all CWNA-109 exam topics. The course begins with discussion topics and hands-on lab exercises covering the basic operation of 802.11 Wi-Fi technology. Once a base of Wi-Fi knowledge is established, enterprise relevant topics such as Wi-Fi design, security, and troubleshooting are covered. You will use enterprise-class hardware and software tools during live lab exercises, all accessible remotely for any instructor-led or virtual class.

As an added bonus, you will receive a free exam voucher, study guide, and practice test to test your knowledge before taking the exam.

WLAN and Networking Industry Organizations

• Wi-Fi Related Organizations
• The IEEE
• PHY Amendments
• 802.11 Amendments
• Wi-Fi Alliance
• PoE (802.3)

RF Characteristics and Behavior

• Electromagnetic Spectrum
• Wavelength, amplitude and other RF characteristics
• Reflection, refraction and other RF behavior
• RF Propagation
• Basic Types of Modulation

RF Mathematics and Measurements

• RF units of measure
• Basic RF mathematics
• RF signal measurements
• Understand link budgets

RF Antennas and Hardware

• RF Units of Measure
• Types of Antennas and Antenna Systems Commonly Used With 802.11 WLANs
• Antenna Polarization and Gain
• Antenna Implementation
• Types of Antenna Cables, Connectors, and Other Accessories

802.11 PHYs and Network Types

• 802.11 PHYs and Network Types
• 802.11 Frequency Bands
• 802.11 Channels Explained
• OSI Model Layers and Wi-Fi
• 802.11 Physical Layers (PHYs)
• Throughput vs. Data Rate
• RF Modulation Methods
• 802.11 Use Case Scenarios
• WLAN Operating Modes including BSS. ESS and Roaming

802.11 Network Devices

• Access Point Features and Capabilities
• AP and WLAN Management Systems
• Wireless Monitoring Systems (Analytics)
• WLAN Controller Functionality
• Network Architecture Planes
• WLAN Bridging
• Client Devices
• Client Device OS Configuration
• Power over Ethernet (PoE) Functionality

802.11 MAC Operations

• 802.11 Frames
• Frame Aggregation
• Guard Interval
• General Frame Format
• PHY Preamble
• Management, Control and Data Frames
• Locating WLANs

802.11 Channel Access Methods

• Differences between CSMA/CD and CSMA/CA
• Distributed Coordination Function (DCF)
• Network Allocation Vector (NAV)
• Clear Channel Assessment (CCA)
• Interframe Spacing (IFS)
• Contention Window (CW)
• Quality of Service in 802.11 WLANs
• Hybrid Coordination Function (HCF)
• Additional Control Frames and Protection Modes

WLAN Network Architectures

• Control, Management and Data Planes
• WLAN Controller Solutions
• Network Architectures
• RF Channel Planning
• Service Set Configurations
• Cell Sizing and Interference

WLAN Requirements and Solutions

• Explore WLAN Deployment Scenarios
• BYOD and Guest Access
• Mobile Device Management
• Radio Resource Management (RRM) and other automatic RF management solutions
• Additional Management Features

Security Solutions for WLANs

• Additional Authentication Features
• Deprecated Standard Security
• Weak Security Mechanisms
• Pre-shared Key and IEEE 802.1X/EAP
• WPA3-Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE)
• WPA3 Opportunistic Wireless Encryption (OWE)
• 6GHz 802.11ax Security Requirements
• Wireless Intrusion Prevention Systems (WIPS)
• Protocol and Spectrum Analysis for Security
• Using Secure Protocols

Site Surveys, Network Design and Validation

• Survey Processes
• Understanding Requirements
• Verify Design Requirements
• Documentation
• Locating Interference
• Spectrum Analysis
• Application and Throughput Testing
• Protocol Analysis

WLAN Troubleshooting

• CWNP Troubleshooting Methodology
• Protocol Analysis Troubleshooting Features
• Spectrum Analysis Troubleshooting Features
• RF Interference
• Hidden Nodes
• Connectivity Problems

The CWNA exam has no prerequisites; however, the following are recommended before attempting the CWNA exam:

• Basic knowledge of networking (routers, switches, cabling, etc.)
• Basic knowledge of TCP/IP
• At least 1 year of work experience with wireless LAN technologies

• Administrators: network, systems, infrastructure, security, and LAN/WLANs
• Support professionals: technical assistance and field support
• Designers: network, systems, and infrastructure
• Developers: wireless software and hardware products
• Consultants and integrators: IT and security
• Decision makers: infrastructure managers, IT managers, security directors, chief security officers, and chief technology officers
• CCNAs