Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) IT Training Course

Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) Course
Baltimore | Columbia | Maryland | Washington DC | Northern Virginia

CWNA (Certified Wireless Network Administrator) Certification

A CWNA certification, from Phoenix TS, is the foundation enterprise Wi-Fi certification for the CWNP Program, and CWNA is a requirement for CWNE and CWSP certifications. A CWNA certification will give you a head-start in your wireless career by ensuring you possess the skills to survey, install, and administer enterprise Wi-Fi networks.

This program covers:

  • Radio Frequency (RF) Technologies
  • Network Design, Installation, and Management
  • Troubleshooting
  • 802.11 Network Architecture
  • Wireless LAN Hardware and Software
  • Wireless Standards and Organizations
  • Antenna Concepts
  • Wireless LAN Security
  • How to Perform Site Surveys

CWNA (Certified Wireless Network Administrator) Course Outline

1. The WLAN Infrastructure

  • The Basic Service Set
  • The Access Points
    • Basic AP Operation
  • The WLAN Controllers
  • The Wi-Fi Stations
    • Wi-Fi Client Software
  • The Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS)
    • Service Set Identifier
    • The Extended Service Set

2. The WLAN Standards

  • The WLAN Organizations
    • The IEEE
    • The Wi-FiAlliance
    • IETF
  • The IEEE 802.11 Standard
    • The 802.11 Physical Layer
    • The 802.11 MAC Layer
  • The 802.11 Amendments
    • 802.11a (OFDM)
    • 802.11b (HR/DSSS)
    • 802.11g (ERP)
    • 802.11n (HT)
      • The 802.11n Improvements
        • Speed
        • Range
        • Power Consumption
      • The MIMO Operation
  • 802.11 and Wi-Fi
    • The 802.11 Amendments and Wi-Fi Certifications

3.The RF Fundamentals

  • The Channels and Bands
    • 2.4 GHz Channels
    • 5 GHz Channels
  • The Modulation and Coding
    • DSSS
    • OFDM
  • The RF Math
    • Wattsand Milliwatts (mW)
    • Decibels (dB), dBi, and dBm
  • The Multipath
    • Identifying Multipath
    • Solving Multipath Problems

4. The Antennas and Outdoor Wireless

  • The Link Budgets
    • Reading Signal Strength
    • Transmitter Power
    • Measuring Antenna Gain
    • Cables, Connectors, and Accessories
    • Signal Propagation
  • The Antenna Operation
    • Baseband RF to Radio Waves
  • The Antenna Types
    • Omnidirectional Antennas
    • Semidirectional Antennas
    • Highly Directional Antennas
  • The Antenna Coverage Patterns
    • Antenna Beamwidth
    • Antenna Mounting

5. The WPA/WPA2 Authentication

  • The 802.11 Security Amendments
  • The 802.11i Robust Security Networks
    • RSN Authentication Options
  • The Preshared Key
    • Small Network
    • PSK Vulnerability
    • Preshared Key Design
  • 802.1X
    • Extensible Authentication Protocol
    • 802.1X/EAP Design
  • The 802.1X/EAP Authentication
  • The Mutual Authentication and Key Negotiation
    • EnterpriseAuthentication
    • EAP-TLS
    • EAP-PEAP
    • Choosing an EAP Type

6. The WPA/WPA2 Encryption

  • WLAN Encryption
    • Wired Equivalent Privacy
  • WPA/WPA2 Encryption Options
  • RC4 Encryption
    • Secure Stream Cipher
  • TKIP Improvements
    • TKIP Operation
  • AES-CCMP
    • AES-CCMP Similarities to TKIP
    • AES-CCMP Operation
  • 802.11i Encryption Summary
    • Automatic Encryption Selection
    • Encrypting in the Real World

7. The WLAN Operation

  • 802.11 Channel Access
  • CSMA/CA
    • A Clear Channel
  • Interframe Spacing
  • Random Backoff Time
    • The Contention Window
    • Winning Arbitration
  • Acknowledgements
    • After the Acknowledgement
  • An Arbitration Example
    • Timelines
    • IFS Timeless
    • Backoff Timelines
    • Frame Timelines
    • ACK Timelines
  • The Effects of Arbitration

8. The Mixed Mode Operation

  • The Mixed Mode Networks
  • 802.11b/g Mixed Mode
    • Protection Mechanism
    • Enabling Protection
  • 802.11g/n Mixed Mode )
    • 802.11nGreenfield
    • 802.11 g/n Mixed Mode AP
    • Nearby 802.11g AP
  • 802.11n 2.4 GHz Problems
  • 802.11n 5 GHz
  • The Mixed Mode Best Practices

9. The Security Design

  • The RSN Concerns
    • General Security Approach
  • Wireless Data Security
    • Eavesdropping
    • Encryption Options
  • Network Security
  • Guest Access
    • Captive portals
    • Captive portal vulnerabilities
  • The RF Denial
    • Client Testing Software
    • DoS: Connection Loss
    • DoS Response
    • Network Rogue APs
    • Rogue AP Response
  • MAC Address Spoofing
  • Endpoint Security
    • Evil Twin Rogue APs
    • ESS
    • NAC
  • EnterpriseWIDS
    • EnterpriseWIDS Types
    • EnterpriseWIDS Monitoring
    • WIDS Rogue Prevention
    • EnterpriseWIDS Summary
  • Security Design Best Practices

10. The Troubleshooting Station Connections

  • The Common Station Problems
  • Radio On/Off Switches
  • The Wi-Fi Client Utilities
    • Automatic SSID Configuration
    • Manual SSID Configuration
    • Security Configuration
  • Power Management Protocols
    • Power states and modes
    • 802.11 Power Management
    • Automatic Power Save Delivery
    • Power Management Settings

11. The WLAN Analysis

  • Packet Capture
    • Passive Monitoring
    • Monitor Mode
  • Protocol Analysis Software
  • The Wi-Fi Connection
    • Beyond Basic Troubleshooting
    • The 802.11 State Machine
  • Discovery Analysis
  • Authentication and Association
  • Roaming
  • Secure Connections
    • WEP Connections
    • PSK Connections
    • 802.1X/EAP Connections
  • Connection Loss

12. The WLAN Channel Analysis

  • Analyzing the Channel
  • Using the Protocol Analyzers
    • Filtering
  • Basic 802.11 Overhead
    • Wi-Fi Collisions
  • Channel Efficiency
    • 802.11 Retrys
  • Performance Degradation
    • Interference Types
  • Spectrum Analyzers
    • Distributed Spectrum Analyzers
    • Spectrum Analyzer Troubleshooting

13. The Enterprise Infrastructure Design

  • Basic AP Configuration
  • EnterpriseWLAN Needs
    • Optional AP Settings
  • Wireless Network Management Systems
    • Controller-less WLANs
  • Wireless VLANs
    • Wireless VLAN Security
  • Power over Ethernet
    • Power sourcing equipment
    • Powered devices
    • Detection and classification
  • Picocells
    • Power Output Settings
    • Channel Reuse
    • Redundancy
  • Client Isolation
  • RTS/CTS
    • RTS/CTS Protocol
    • RTS/CTS Thresholds
    • RTS/CTS Uses
  • AP Optimization Best Practices

14. The Station Optimization

  • Station Configuration
  • The Additional Station Settings
    • Roaming Tendency
    • Disable Upon Wired Connect
    • Single Sign-on
  • Station Optimization Best Practices

15. The QoS Configuration

  • Legacy WLANs
    • QoS Needs
  • QBSS Load
  • Enhanced Distributed Channel Access
    • AIFSN Lengths
    • The Contention Window (QoS)
    • TransmitOpportunity
    • TXOP and Contention-Free Burst
  • The Priority Settings
  • QoS Configuration Best Practices

16. The Channel Optimization

  • The RF Difficulties
    • Handling RF Problems
  • Roaming
    • Roaming Behavior
    • Roaming Problems
    • Cell Overlap
  • Common WLAN Types
    • Basic-Coverage WLANs
    • High-Density WLANs
    • Application-Based WLANs
  • Alternative technologies
    • Role-based access control
    • Transmit beamforming
    • Virtual Cells
    • Controller-less management
    • Multi-radio APs
  • The Channel Optimization Best Practices

17. The Site Surveys

  • Radio Frequency Problems
  • Site Surveys
    • Pre-Installation Surveying
  • Kit Preparation
  • WLAN Simulation Software
    • Predictive Coverage
    • High Cost, High Benefit
  • Post-Installation Surveying
    • Performing Spot Checks
  • Live Survey Software
    • Coverage Mapping
    • Survey Reporting
  • Site Survey Best Practices

18. The Next-Generation WLANs

  • Next-Generation Improvements
  • Automatic RF management
    • Band Steering
    • Airtime management
  • Wi-Fi Direct
  • Secure Roaming
    • Fast Transition Basics
    • Fast Transition Options
    • WMM VoiceEnterprise
  • Mesh Networks
    • Mesh Networking Technology
    • Outdoor Access
    • Consumer Wi-Fi Technologies
  • Home Media Streaming
    • Direct Link Setup
    • Software-Based APs
    • Software-Based AP Uses
  • Wi-Fi Cellular Calling

CWNA (Certified Wireless Network Administrator) Exam and Testing

CWNA (PW0-104) Exam Summary

  • Exam #: PW0-104
  • Price: $175.00
  • Availability: Register at Pearson VUE
  • Duration: 90 minutes
  • Questions: 60
  • Question Types: Multiple choice / multiple answer
  • Passing Score: 70% (80% for Instructors)
  • Available Languages: English

 Phoenix TS is an authorized testing center for both Pearson VUE & Prometric. You can register for your CWNA Certification Exam at the Phoenix TS test centers in Washington DC, Baltimore, or Columbia, Maryland. Simply go to the Pearson VUE or Prometric website or call us directly (301-258-8200).

CWNA Standard Price

Total Cost 

$2595

Price Includes:

  • Training instruction and class exercises
  • Courseware books, pens, highlighters, notepads and other material
  • Exam voucher
  • Exam Retake option
  • Course Retake option
  • Sample Exam Questions from leading industry vendors
  • Full breakfast including a combination of doughnuts, bagels, fruits, yogurt, juices
  • Coffee/tea/soda available all day
  • Afternoon fresh baked cookies (participating locations)

CWNA Standard Price

Please call 301-258-8200 to discuss pricing.

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