The bestselling CWNA study guide, updated for the latest exam
The CWNA: Certified Wireless Network Administrator Study Guide is the ultimate preparation resource for the CWNA exam. Fully updated to align with the latest version of the exam, this book features expert coverage of all exam objectives to help you internalize essential information. A pre-assessment test reveals what you already know, allowing you to focus your study time on areas in need of review, while hands-on exercises allow you to practice applying CWNA concepts to real-world scenarios. Expert-led discussion breaks complex topics down into easily-digestible chucks to facilitate clearer understanding, and chapter review questions help you gauge your progress along the way. You also get a year of free access to the Sybex online interactive learning environment, which features additional resources and study aids including bonus practice exam questions.
The CWNA exam tests your knowledge of regulations and standards, protocols and devices, network implementation, security, and RF site surveying. Thorough preparation gives you your best chance of passing, and this book covers it all with a practical focus that translates to real on-the-job skills.
- Study 100% of the objectives for Exam CWNA-107
- Assess your practical skills with hands-on exercises
- Test your understanding with challenging chapter tests
- Access digital flashcards, white papers, bonus practice exams, and more
The CWNA certification is a de facto standard for anyone working with wireless technology. It shows employers that you have demonstrated competence in critical areas, and have the knowledge and skills to perform essential duties that keep their wireless technology functioning and safe. The CWNA: Certified Wireless Network Administrator Study Guide gives you everything you need to pass the exam with flying colors.
Table of Contents
Foreword xxxi
Introduction xxxiii
Assessment Test lxiv
Chapter 1 Overview of Wireless Standards, Organizations, and Fundamentals 1
History of Wireless Local Area Networks 2
Standards Organizations 4
Core, Distribution, and Access 19
Communications Fundamentals 21
Summary 29
Exam Essentials 30
Review Questions 31
Chapter 2 IEEE 802.11 Standard and Amendments 35
Original IEEE 802.11 Standard 38
IEEE 802.11-2016 Ratified Amendments 39
Post 802.11-2016 Ratified Amendments 58
IEEE 802.11 Draft Amendments 58
Defunct Amendments 61
IEEE Task Group m 63
Summary 64
Exam Essentials 64
Review Questions 65
Chapter 3 Radio Frequency Fundamentals 69
What Is a Radio Frequency Signal? 71
Radio Frequency Characteristics 72
Radio Frequency Behaviors 80
Summary 96
Exam Essentials 96
Review Questions 97
Chapter 4 Radio Frequency Components, Measurements, and Mathematics 101
RF Components 104
Units of Power and Comparison 107
RF Mathematics 115
Summary 132
Exam Essentials 134
Review Questions 135
Chapter 5 Radio Frequency Signal and Antenna Concepts 139
Azimuth and Elevation Charts (Antenna Radiation Envelopes) 141
Interpreting Polar Charts 144
Beamwidth 147
Antenna Types 149
Visual Line of Sight 160
RF Line of Sight 160
Fresnel Zone 161
Earth Bulge 165
Antenna Polarization 166
Antenna Diversity 167
Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output 168
Antenna Connection and Installation 170
Antenna Accessories 178
Regulatory Compliance 184
Summary 185
Exam Essentials 185
Review Questions 186
Chapter 6 Wireless Networks and Spread Spectrum
Technologies 191
Narrowband and Spread Spectrum 193
Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum 196
Direct-Sequence Spread Spectrum 198
Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing 200
Industrial, Scientific, and Medical Bands 204
Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure Bands 206
3.6 GHz Band 209
4.9 GHz Band 209
Future Wi-Fi Frequencies 210
2.4 GHz Channels 211
5 GHz Channels 215
Adjacent, Nonadjacent, and Overlapping Channels 221
Throughput vs. Bandwidth 221
Communication Resilience 222
Summary 223
Exam Essentials 223
Review Questions 225
Chapter 7 Wireless LAN Topologies 229
Wireless Networking Topologies 230
802.11 Stations 233
802.11 Service Sets 237
802.11 Configuration Modes 248
Summary 250
Exam Essentials 250
Review Questions 251
Chapter 8 802.11 Medium Access 255
CSMA/CA vs. CSMA/CD 256
Collision Detection 257
Distributed Coordination Function 258
Point Coordination Function 266
Hybrid Coordination Function 267
Wi-Fi Multimedia 269
Airtime Fairness 271
Summary 272
Exam Essentials 273
Review Questions 274
Chapter 9 802.11 MAC 279
Packets, Frames, and Bits 281
Data-Link Layer 282
Physical Layer 283
802.11 and 802.3 Interoperability 284
802.11 MAC Header 285
802.11 Frame Body 297
802.11 Trailer 298
802.11 State Machine 299
Management Frames 300
Control Frames 314
Data Frames 322
Power Management 326
Summary 331
Exam Essentials 331
Review Questions 333
Chapter 10 MIMO Technology: HT and VHT 339
MIMO 342
Multi-User MIMO 351
Channels 355
Guard Interval 361
256-QAM Modulation 363
802.11n/ac PPDUs 367
802.11n/ac MAC 369
HT/VHT Protection Mechanisms 378
Wi-Fi Alliance Certification 379
Summary 382
Exam Essentials 383
Review Questions 384
Chapter 11 WLAN Architecture 389
WLAN Client Devices 391
Management, Control, and Data Planes 402
WLAN Architecture 404
Specialty WLAN Infrastructure 417
Cloud Networking 426
Infrastructure Management 428
Application Programming Interface 433
Summary 436
Exam Essentials 436
Review Questions 438
Chapter 12 Power over Ethernet (PoE) 443
History of PoE 444
An Overview of PoE Devices 446
Planning and Deploying PoE 458
802.11ac and PoE 463
Summary 465
Exam Essentials 465
Review Questions 466
Chapter 13 WLAN Design Concepts 471
WLAN Coverage Design 473
Roaming Design 479
Channel Design 485
Capacity Design 504
Voice vs. Data 517
Dual 5 GHz and Software-Defined Radios 519
Physical Environment 522
Antennas 523
Outdoor Design 527
Summary 528
Exam Essentials 529
Review Questions 530
Chapter 14 Site Survey and Validation 535
WLAN Site Survey and Design Interview 537
Vertical Market Considerations 548
Legacy AP-on-a-Stick Survey 551
Hybrid Survey 560
Validation Survey 565
Site Survey Tools 569
Documents and Reports 574
Summary 579
Exam Essentials 579
Review Questions 581
Chapter 15 WLAN Troubleshooting 587
Five Tenets of WLAN Troubleshooting 589
Layer 1 Troubleshooting 595
Layer 2 Troubleshooting 602
Security Troubleshooting 614
Roaming Troubleshooting 627
Channel Utilization 631
Layers 3-7 Troubleshooting 633
WLAN Troubleshooting Tools 636
Summary 644
Exam Essentials 644
Review Questions 646
Chapter 16 Wireless Attacks, Intrusion Monitoring, and Policy 653
Wireless Attacks 654
Intrusion Monitoring 671
Wireless Security Policies 677
Summary 681
Exam Essentials 681
Review Questions 683
Chapter 17 802.11 Network Security Architecture 687
802.11 Security Basics 689
Legacy 802.11 Security 693
Robust Security 699
Traffic Segmentation 718
WPA3 721
VPN Wireless Security 722
Summary 725
Exam Essentials 726
Review Questions 727
Chapter 18 Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and Guest Access 731
Mobile Device Management 734
Self-Service Device Onboarding for Employees 748
Guest WLAN Access 751
Hotspot 2.0 and Passpoint 765
Network Access Control 770
Summary 776
Exam Essentials 777
Review Questions 779
Chapter 19 802.11ax: High Efficiency (HE) 783
HE Overview 784
Multi-User 787
OFDMA 788
MU-MIMO 799
BSS Color 800
Target Wake Time 805
Additional 802.11ax PHY and MAC Capabilities 806
802.11ax Design Considerations 811
Summary 812
Review Questions 814
Chapter 20 WLAN Deployment and Vertical Markets 815
Deployment Considerations for Commonly Supported
WLAN Applications and Devices 817
Corporate Data Access and End-User Mobility 821
Network Extension to Remote Areas 822
Bridging: Building-to-Building Connectivity 823
Wireless ISP: Last-Mile Data Delivery 823
Small Office/Home Office 824
Mobile Office Networking 825
Branch Offices 825
Educational/Classroom Use 826
Industrial: Warehousing and Manufacturing 827
Retail 828
Healthcare 829
Municipal Networks 830
Hotspots: Public Network Access 830
Stadium Networks 832
Transportation Networks 833
Law Enforcement Networks 833
First-Responder Networks 834
Managed Service Providers 835
Fixed Mobile Convergence 835
WLAN and Health 836
Internet of Things 836
WLAN Vendors 837
Summary 840
Exam Essentials 840
Review Questions 841
Appendix A Answers to Review Questions 845
Chapter 1: Overview of Wireless Standards, Organizations, and Fundamentals 846
Chapter 2: IEEE 802.11 Standard and Amendments 847
Chapter 3: Radio Frequency Fundamentals 850
Chapter 4: Radio Frequency Components, Measurements, and Mathematics 852
Chapter 5: Radio Frequency Signal and Antenna Concepts 854
Chapter 6: Wireless Networks and Spread Spectrum Technologies 856
Chapter 7: Wireless LAN Topologies 858
Chapter 8: 802.11 Medium Access 860
Chapter 9: 802.11 MAC 863
Chapter 10: MIMO Technology: HT and VHT 865
Chapter 11: WLAN Architecture 868
Chapter 12: Power over Ethernet (PoE) 870
Chapter 13: WLAN Design Concepts 872
Chapter 14: Site Survey and Validation 876
Chapter 15: WLAN Troubleshooting 878
Chapter 16: Wireless Attacks, Intrusion Monitoring, and Policy 881
Chapter 17: 802.11 Network Security Architecture 884
Chapter 18: Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and Guest Access 886
Chapter 19: 802.11ax: High Efficiency (HE) 889
Chapter 20: WLAN Deployment and Vertical Markets 890
Appendix B Abbreviations and Acronyms 893
Certifications 894
Organizations and Regulations 894
Measurements 895
Technical Terms 896
Index 909
Table of Exercises
Exercise 3.1 Visual Demonstration of Absorption 88
Exercise 3.2 Visual Demonstration of Multipath and Phase 94
Exercise 4.1 Step-by-Step Use of the Rule of 10s and 3s 116
Exercise 4.2 Rule of 10s and 3s Example 118
Exercise 4.3 Link Budget and Fade Margin 132
Exercise 9.1 Viewing Beacon Frames 302
Exercise 9.2 Understanding Probe Requests and Probe Responses 306
Exercise 9.3 Using Open System Authentication 308
Exercise 9.4 Understanding Association 308
Exercise 9.5 Understanding Reassociation 312
Exercise 9.6 Viewing Action Frames 314
Exercise 9.7 Understanding Acknowledgment 316
Exercise 9.8 Using Data Frames 325
Exercise 14.1 Calculating Cable Loss 574
Exercise 17.1 Using Unencrypted and Encrypted Data Frames 691
Exercise 17.2 802.1X/EAP and the 4-Way Handshake Process 714
