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CWNA Certified Wireless Network Administrator Test Essentials

CWNA is the top vendor neutral certification for wireless networking. What is the knowledge being measured? Here are the CWNA Test Essentials:

Woman in ICT setups and configures

Introduction to Wireless LANs
It is important to have a solid introduction into wireless LANs - the wireless LAN market, the past, present and future of wireless LANs as well as the standards that govern wireless LANs.

It is also important to understand the driving forces behind wireless LAN which requires knowledge of typical applications. And what makes up the wireless LAN industry?

RF Fundamentals
RF Fundamentals involves defining the basic concepts of RF behaviour - Gain, Loss,  Refraction, etc. RF mathematics- the mathematical relationships that exist in RF circuits and how to perform necessary RF math calculations., RF signal and antenna concepts, RF signal characteristics, methods of installing RF antenna, their purpose, types and functions, as well as RF antenna accessories. Basic element of the devices that make access points, bridges, PC cards, and other wireless devices communicate: Wireless LAN accessories: RF amplifiers, RF attenuators, and lightening arrestors. Knowing how to specify and deploy these devices and effects on RF signal strength are essential for building a functional wireless LAN. antennas.

What are the many different items that connect antennas to other wireless LAN hardware?. Antennas are most often used to increase the range of wireless LAN systems, but proper antenna selection can also enhance the security of a wireless LAN. CWNAs must know the attributes of different antenna categories and the appropriate method of installation for each kind of antenna.

IEEE 802.11 Regulations and Standards

It is necessary to be able to define and describe spread spectrum technologies and some of their uses. The different types of spread spectrum technologies need to be differentiated, compared, and discussed in depth. It is also important to know how spread spectrum technology is implemented in wireless LANs as well as what the IEEE 802.11-2007 Standard represents. .

Which IEEE 802.11 Industry Organizations exist and what are their roles? It is essential to have knowledge about the organizations that create standards that guide the evolution and development of wireless LANs. Candidates should know the major organizations that contribute to growth and education in the wireless LAN marketplace: These include the Regulatory Domain Governing Bodies and the IEEE.

Good understanding the regulations and the standards in the wireless LAN sphere enables candidates to ensure they implement wireless systems that meet expected standards.

IEEE 802.11 Protocols and Devices

This looks at authentication and association and the critical processes involved. Important considerations are the WLAN service sets concepts and the power management features of WLANs. Concepts on WLAN frames need to be well understood and applied. What are the differences diffrent frame types and how do wireless LANs avoid collisions.Connectivity methods of an IEEE 802.11 WLAN must also be treated. Different categories of wireless network infrastructure equipment and some of variations within each category need to be covered. The hardware items within each category are particularly important. Candidates should understand the purpose of WLAN infrastructure devices and WLAN client devices and know how to install, configure, secure, and manage them.

IEEE 802.11 Network Implementation

It’s important to be able to identify the various appropriate technology environments for WLAN and know how to implement in the different settings. Environments could include corporate enterprise, connecting to remote areas, bridging buildings, Small Office / Home Office (SOHO), healthcare, educational, law enforcement, mobile office networking, etc. You must also know the common challenges to be faced in WLAN implementation and how to overcome such roadblocks. What does successful implementation of a
wireless LAN, and does one troubleshoot when obstacles arise? Different challenges have their remedies and workarounds. Experience indicates that most of the commonly occuring problems can be avoided through careful planning.

Also covered is Power over Ethernet (PoE), an important technology in today’s wireless networks that has spawned new product lines and new standards. WLAN architectures are also core - it is critical to know to how to implement autonomous APs and WLAN controllers that use centralized and/or distributed forwarding. Also covered is the management of autonomous APs, WLAN controllers, and mesh nodes. Most of these topics are defined directly in the 802.11 standard, and are required for implementation 802.11 – compliant hardware. It is critical to know how  clients connect to an access point, the terms used for organizing wireless LANs, and how power management is accomplished in wireless LAN client devices.

IEEE 802.11 Network Security
Candidates must know how to make wireless LANs secure. Security education is important for those who implement and manage the wireless LAN. How does one prevent security breaches? You should be prepared as an administrator on how to prevent security breaches and have knowledge of security best practices and solutions. IEEE 802.11 security-related items are covered including Legacy Security Mechanisms, WEP Cipher Suite, Open System Authentication, Shared Key Authentication, MAC Filtering, SSID Hiding, Role Based Access Control (RBAC) etc.

Candidates are expected to be knowledgeable in choosing appropriate applications for ensuring wireless security Solutions. They need to understand network security analysis, performance analysis, and troubleshooting tools and techniques that include Wireless Intrusion Protection System, Security Monitoring, Containment, and Reporting, Performance Monitoring and Reporting, Troubleshooting and Analysis, Protocol and Spectrum Analyzers, etc. You should be able to develop general and functional security polices ensuring the inclusion of core elements in such policies.

IEEE 802.11 RF Site Surveying
In implementing WLANs site survey capabilities are required. No two sites are the same. You must understand the processes involved in gathering information for RF site surveys. It means knowing the business and connectivity requirements and needs in detail and gathering information on physical and data requirements as well as site specific information and characteristics. Concepts such as throughput needs, power accessibility, extendibility, application requirements, budget requirements, and signal range are all key components as you conduct a site survey. It is important to understand the implications of a weak site survey and no site survey at all.

The technical aspects of performing RF site surveys should also be well understood - the equipment issues and location, power issues. Knowledge of site survey reporting and follow-up procedures are also important. for manual and predictive RF site surveys. You should in addition be able to identify the equipment, applications, and system features involved in performing manual and predictive site surveys. What are the available tools and applications and how should they be used? It is also essential to be able to
identify the equipment, applications, and methodologies involved in self-managing RF technologies

ABOUT THE EXAM
CWNA is the foundation of the CWNP program. By earning the Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) credential, the first level of certification in the CWNP Program, network experts and administrators demonstrate that they have the skills necessary to administer, install, configure, and troubleshoot wireless network systems.

To earn the CWNA certification, you must pass 1 exam: PW0-104. Candidates need to answer 60 questions within a duration of 90 minutes. The Question Types are: multiple choice / multiple answer while the Passing Score is: 70%

A typical candidate should have Network+, CCNA, CAN or MCP certification or equivalent knowledge, although these certifications are not required before taking the actual exam.

The skills and knowledge measured by this examination are derived from a survey of wireless networking experts and professionals. The results of this survey were used in weighing the subject areas and ensuring that the weighting is representative of the relative importance of the content.

For more coverage and information related to this topic, 

Certified Wireless Network Administrator CWNA Training

Certified Wireless Network Administrator CWNA Test Essentials

Certified Wireless Network Administrator CWNA Target Audience

Click here for more Wireless Networking (WLAN) resources

Practical Wireless (RF) Networking Training

 

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