The goal of this CWNA course is to add Wi-Fi expertise to a networking professional’s skillset, while covering all CWNA 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.

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.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Understand and apply the essential concepts of Radio Frequency (RF) technology, including RF planning, RF-related calculations and spread spectrum technologies.
• Perform RF Spectrum Analysis for the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.
• Describe the rules governing wireless LANs, to comply with local radio regulations for setup and maintenance of WLANs.
• Describe the fundamental operation of wireless LANs, for effective WLAN problem analysis and troubleshooting.
• Understand IEEE 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11a, 802.11n, 802.11ac and 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) standards and amendments; and their practical relevance in depth.
• Correctly install, configure and support Wi-Fi adapters, access points, wireless bridges and WLAN antennas.
• Understand 802.11 / Wi-Fi WLAN Physical and MAC -layer operation in depth.
• Describe and troubleshoot WLAN problems including RF coverage, multipath, hidden nodes and interference problems.
• Understand the essential tools and processes used in WiFi Site Survey.
• Work with sophisticated WLAN diagnostic tools from Ekahau, AirMagnet, MetaGeek, Savvius, Tamosoft and more.
• Describe the insecurities inherent in IEEE 802.11 WLANs.
• Apply best security practices, including WPA2 and WPA3, to secure Wi-Fi networks for small, medium and large organisations.

Chapter 1 – WLAN and Networking Industry Organizations

• Industry Organizations – IEEE, WFA, IETF
• Regulatory Domains
• IEEE – 802.11 Standard and Amendments
• Wi-Fi Alliance certification
• PoE, EAP, RADIUS

Chapter 2 – RF Characteristics and Behavior

• Spectrum
• Sine Waves – Properties of RF Waves
• Power loss
• RF Propagation
• Free Space path loss – FSPL
• Spread spectrum
• Modulation – QAM
• OFDM

Chapter 3 – RF Mathematics and Measurements

• Units of RF Measurement
• Power Measurement
• Basic RF Math
• RSSI and Receivcer sensitivity
• Link Budget

Chaper 4 – RF Antennas and Hardware

• Antenna Fundamentals
• Polarization, Gain, Radiation
• WLAN Antennas Types o Line of Sight and Fresnel zones
• Antenna Mounting, connectors and cables
• Diversity

Chapter 5 – 802.11 PHYs and Network Types

• 802.11 Frequency Bands
• Physical Layers
• Modulation – OFDM
• Coding and MCS values
• Beamforming
• DFS and TPC
• Use Case Scenarios
• WLAN operating Modes – BSS, ESS,

Chapter 6 – Network Devices

• AP:s and Infrastructure Devices
• Birdge Links
• Clients
• Device Configuration
• Power Over Ethernet

Chapter 7 – 802.11 MAC Operations

• Frame Types
• General Frame Format
• Connection Frame exchange
• State Machine and 4-way Handshake
• EAP Intro
• BSS selection

Chapter 8 – Channel Access Methods

• Requirements
• DCF
• Carrier Sens and Interframes Spaces
• QoS and WMM
• RTS/CTS Protection
• Operation Modes
• Power Management

Chapter 9 – WLAN Network Architectures

• Control, Management, and Data
• Forwarding
• Controllers
• VLANs
• Roaming
• WLAN Models
• AP Placement and Channel Selection

Chapter 10 – WLAN Requirements and Solutions

• Data Access
• Verticals
• Network Types
• BYOD and MDM
• RRM, Band Steering and Airtime Fairness
• Hotspots
• Wired Network Services

• IT professionals and network engineers responsible for installing or supporting 802.11 (Wi-Fi) Wireless networks
• IT professionals wanting to progress within the wireless network industry
• Network planners, designers and support staff
• IT Security staff, managers and auditors

Understanding Networking Fundamentals (GK3150)