CWNA

(5 days / 10 evenings)

CWNA (Certified Wireless Network Administrator) is the foundation level wireless LAN certification for the industry standard CWNP Program. It is your starting point for wireless training and certification. CWNA covers a broad range of wireless LAN topics focused on 802.11 wireless technology rather than products of specific vendors.

COURSE OUTLINE

Radio Frequency (RF) Fundamentals

• RF behavior
• Principles of antennas
• Following power output regulations
• RF math calculations

Spread Spectrum Technologies

• Uses of Spread Spectrum
• Frequency Hopping
• Direct Sequencing
• Comparing DSSS to FHSS
• Co-location and throughput analysis

Hardware Installation, Configuration, and Management

• Access points
• Wireless bridges
• Wireless workgroup bridges
• Client devices
• Residential gateways
• Enterprise gateways

Antennas and Accessories

• Omni-directional
• Semi-directional
• Directional
• Determining coverage areas
• Proper mounting and safety
• Performing outdoor/indoor installations
• Power over Ethernet
• Cables and connector usage requirements

Organizations and Standards

• FCC rules
• Frequency ranges and channels
• IEEE 802.11 family of standards
• Wireless LAN organizations
• HomeRF
• Bluetooth
• Infrared

802.11 Network Architecture

• Joining a wireless LAN
• Authentication and association
• Basic Service Set
• Extended Service Set
• Independent Basic Service Set
• Roaming in a wireless LAN
• Beacons and Probe Frames
• Power management features

Physical and MAC Layers

• Differences between wireless and Ethernet frames
• Collision handling and the use of RTS/CTS
• Throughput and dynamic rate selection
• Analysis of DCF/PCF
• Interframe spacing
• Effects of packet fragmentation

Wireless LAN Security

• Analysis of 802.11 security including WEP
• Available security solutions
• Types of network attacks
• Protecting the network from attacks
• Corporate security policies
• Security recommendations

Site Surveying

• Defining business requirements
• Facility analysis
• Interviewing network management and users
• Identifying bandwidth requirements
• Determining contours of RF coverage
• Documenting installation problems
• Locating interference
• Reporting methodology and procedures

Troubleshooting Wireless LANs

• Multipath
• Hidden node
• Near/Far
• Identifying and resolving interference problems
• Maximizing system throughput
• Maximizing Co-location throughput
• Channel reuse for roaming
• Range considerations