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. You will use enterprise-class hardware and software tools during live lab exercises, all accessible remotely for any instructor-led or virtual class.

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.

• Introduction to WLAN industry organisations
• Discussion of protocol standards and compliance
• Overview of 802.11 standard and amendments
• Discussion of additional networking standards
• Regulatory domains and their impact

• RF propagation
• Properties of RF waves
• Types of power loss and environmental impact on radio waves
• Spread spectrum, modulation, and coding
• Channels and bandwidth

• Antenna fundamentals
• Polarisation and gain
• Types of WLAN antennas
• Antenna systems
• Antenna implementation and safety
• RF cables, connectors, and accessories

• RF units of measurement
• Basic RF math
• RF signal measurements
• Link budgets

• Regulatory domains
• Regulatory bodies and frequency bands
• Output power rules and examples

• Basic WLAN hardware
• Basic operating modes
• WLAN hardware
• WLAN connectivity
• WLAN architecture
• Wireless Network Management Systems (WNMS)

• PoE device types
• Power delivery
• Planning for PoE
• PoE standards

• Service set types
• Authentication and association
• Network infrastructure
• Roaming within a WLAN
• Load-balancing

• Protocol analysis
• 802.11 frame types
• Protection mechanisms
• Power saving operations
• Transmission rates

• Introducing CSMA/CA
• Distributed Coordination Function (DCF)
• WLAN QoS

• HT (802.11n) PHY and MAC layer enhancements
• MIMO and SISO systems
• HT coexistence mechanisms
• HT integration and deployment
• HT site surveying and analysis
• VHT (802.11ac PHY and MAC layer enhancements

• How should Wi-Fi networks be Engineered?
• The vital need for Specifications
• Planning a WLAN deployment
• Understanding Wi-Fi network Design
• When is on-site RF survey necessary?
• Gathering information
• Heat Mapping Site Surveys
• Site survey types: Active, Passive, Hybrid
• Spectrum analysis for site surveys
• Survey deliverables

• Importance of WLAN security
• Security policy
• Legacy WLAN security mechanisms
• Modern WLAN security mechanisms
• Baseline WLAN security practices

• Mobile Device Management (MDM)
• Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
• Guest access
• High density basics