Introduction

If you have purchased this book or if you are thinking about purchasing this book, you probably have some interest in taking the CWNA® (Certified Wireless Network Administrator) certification exam or in learning more about what the CWNA certification exam encompasses. We would like to congratulate you on this first step, and we hope that our book can help you on your journey. Wireless networking is one of the hottest technologies on the market. As with many fast-growing technologies, the demand for knowledgeable people is often greater than the supply. The CWNA certification is one way to prove that you have the knowledge and skills to support this growing industry. This Study Guide was written with that goal in mind. This book was written to help teach you about wireless networking so that you have the knowledge needed not only to pass the CWNA certification test but also to design, install, and support wireless networks. The CWNA certification is a required prerequisite for the training classes offered by many of the major WLAN vendors. We have included review questions at the end of each chapter to help you test your knowledge and prepare for the test. We have also included exercises and an online learning environment to further facilitate your learning.

Before we tell you about the certification process and requirements, we must mention that this information may have changed by the time you take your test. We recommend that you visit www.cwnp.com as you prepare to study for your test to determine what the current objectives and requirements are.

Do not just study the questions and answers! The practice questions in this book are designed to test your knowledge of a concept or objective that is likely to be on the CWNA exam. The practice questions will be different from the actual certification exam questions. If you learn and understand the topics and objectives, you will be better prepared for the test.

About CWNA® and CWNP®

If you have ever prepared to take a certification test for a technology that you are unfamiliar with, you know that you are not only studying to learn a different technology but probably also learning about an industry that you are unfamiliar with. Read on and we will tell you about CWNP.

CWNP is an abbreviation for Certified Wireless Network Professional. There is no CWNP test. The CWNP program develops courseware and certification exams for wireless LAN technologies in the computer networking industry. The CWNP certification program is a vendor-neutral program. The CWNP program offers eight certifications with a focus on Wi-Fi and 802.11 wireless technology. Recently, the CWNP program has also begun to offer a certification track about other wireless technologies with a focus on Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity.

The objective of CWNP is to certify people in wireless networking, not on a specific vendor's product. Yes, at times the authors of this book and the creators of the certification will talk about, demonstrate, or even teach how to use a specific product; however, the goal is the overall understanding of wireless, not the product itself. If you learned to drive a car, you had to physically sit and practice in one. When you think back and reminisce, you probably do not tell someone you learned to drive a Ford; you probably say you learned to drive using a Ford.

The CWNP program offers the following eight Wi-Fi certifications:

• CWS: Certified Wireless Specialist CWS is an entry-level WLAN certification exam (CWS-100) for those in sales, marketing, and entry-level positions related to Wi-Fi. CWS teaches the language of Wi-Fi and is an excellent introduction to enterprise Wi-Fi.
• CWT: Certified Wireless Technician CWT is an entry-level WLAN certification exam (CWT-100) for teaching technicians to install and configure Wi-Fi at the basic level. CWT provides the skills needed to install and configure an AP to specifications and configure a client device to connect to and use the WLAN.
• CWNA: Certified Wireless Network Administrator The CWNA certification is an administration-level Wi-Fi certification exam (CWNA-108) for networkers who are in the field and need to thoroughly understand RF behavior, site surveying, installation, and basic enterprise Wi-Fi security. CWNA is where you learn how RF and IP come together as a Wi-Fi network. The CWNA certification was the original certification of the CWNP program and is considered to be the foundation-level certification in the Wi-Fi industry. CWNA is the base certification for enterprise Wi-Fi within the CWNP family of certifications and a springboard toward earning CWSP, CWDP, CWAP, and CWNE certifications.
• CWSP: Certified Wireless Security Professional The CWSP certification exam (CWSP-206) is a professional-level Wi-Fi certification for network engineers who seek to establish their expertise in enterprise Wi-Fi security. Contrary to popular belief, enterprise Wi-Fi can be secure if the IT professionals installing and configuring it understand how to secure the wireless network. You must have a current CWNA credential to take the CWSP exam.
• CWDP: Certified Wireless Design Professional The CWDP certification exam (CWDP-303) is a professional-level career certification for networkers who are already CWNA certified and have a thorough understanding of RF technologies and applications of 802.11 networks. The CWDP curriculum prepares WLAN professionals to properly design wireless LANs for different applications to perform optimally in different environments. You must have a current CWNA credential to take the CWDP exam.
• CWAP: Certified Wireless Analysis Professional The CWAP certification exam (CWAP-403) is a professional-level career certification for networkers who are already CWNA certified and have a thorough understanding of RF technologies and applications of 802.11 networks. The CWAP curriculum prepares WLAN professionals to analyze, troubleshoot, and optimize any wireless LAN. You must have a current CWNA credential to take the CWAP exam.
• CWNE: Certified Wireless Network Expert The CWNE certification is the highest-level certification in the CWNP program. By successfully completing the CWNE requirements, you will have demonstrated that you have the most advanced skills available in today's wireless LAN market. The CWNE certification requires CWNA, CWAP, CWDP, and CWAP certifications. Starting January 1, 2021, all CWNE applicants must have the CWISA certification and one external networking certification. To earn the CWNE certification, a rigorous application must also be submitted and approved by the CWNE Board of Advisors. A minimum of three years of verifiable, documented, full-time professional work experience related to enterprise Wi-Fi networks is required. CWNE applicants must also submit three endorsements from people familiar with the applicant's enterprise Wi-Fi work history.
• CWNT: Certified Wireless Network Trainer Certified Wireless Network Trainers are qualified instructors certified by the CWNP program to deliver CWNP training courses to IT professionals. CWNTs are technical and instructional experts in wireless technologies, products, and solutions. To ensure a superior learning experience, CWNP Education Partners are required to use CWNTs when delivering training using official CWNP courseware. More information about becoming a CWNT is available on the CWNP website.

Additionally, the CWNP program offers three certifications with a specific focus on wireless IoT technologies:

• CWISA: Certified Wireless IoT Solutions Administrator The CWISA certification was developed because many WLAN professionals are called upon to administer non-802.11 wireless solutions in addition to Wi-Fi. This exam covers foundation-level knowledge of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Zigbee, wireless location services, and cellular solutions. Exam candidates are also tested on a high-level awareness of APIs and network automation concepts.
• CWICP: Certified Wireless IoT Connectivity Professional The CWICP certification requires proficiency of IoT connectivity standards and operation in business and industrial networks. This knowledge can be applied to deploy and troubleshoot the most common wireless IoT protocols with an in-depth understanding of their operations. This certification has a heavy emphasis on IEEE 802.15.4 protocols.
• CWIIP: Certified Wireless IoT Integration Professional The CWIIP certification is an advanced-level certification that requires systems development using APIs, programming, and libraries. Python programming fundamental skills are necessary. An understanding of wireless IoT protocols such as MQTT, CoAP, DDS, and AMQP is also a requirement.

How to Become a CWNA

To become a CWNA, you must do the following two things: agree that you have read and will abide by the terms and conditions of the CWNP Confidentiality Agreement and pass the CWNA certification test.

A copy of the CWNP Confidentiality Agreement can be found online at the CWNP website.

When you sit to take the test, you will be required to accept this confidentiality agreement before you can continue with the test. After you have agreed, you will be able to continue with the test. If you pass the test, you are then a CWNA.

The information for the exam is as follows:

• Exam name: Wireless LAN Administrator
• Exam number: CWNA-108
• Cost: $225...