Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA™)
The CWNA™ certification covering the 2002 objectives will certify that successful candidates know the fundamentals of RF behavior, can describe the features and functions of wireless LAN components, and have the skills needed to install, configure, and troubleshoot wireless LAN hardware peripherals and protocols. A typical candidate should have Network+, CCNA, CNA, or MCP certification or equivalent knowledge, although these certifications are not required.

The skills and knowledge measured by this examination are derived from a survey of wireless networking experts and professionals. The results of this survey were used in weighing the subject areas and ensuring that the weighting is representative of the relative importance of the content.

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The following chart provides the breakdown of the CWNA exam as to the weight of each section of the exam.

Subject Area % of Exam Radio Frequency (RF) Technologies 24% Wireless LAN Technologies 17% Wireless LAN Implementation and Management 30% Wireless LAN Security 16% Wireless LAN Industry and Standards 13% Total 100%

Radio Frequency (RF) Technologies - 24%
1.1. RF Fundamentals
	1.1.1. Define and apply the basic concepts of RF behavior Gain Loss Reflection Refraction Diffraction Scattering VSWR Amplification & attenuation 1.1.2. Understand the applications of basic RF antenna concepts Visual LOS RF LOS The Fresnel Zone Intentional Radiator EIRP Wave propagation
1.2. RF Math
	1.2.1. Understand and apply the basic components of RF mathematics Watt Milliwatt Decibel (dB) dBm dBi
1.3. Spread Spectrum Technologies
	1.3.1. Identify some of the different uses for spread spectrum technologies Wireless LANs Wireless PANs Wireless WANs 1.3.2. Comprehend the differences between, and apply the different types of spread spectrum technologies FHSS DSSS 1.3.3. Identify and apply the concepts which make up the functionality of spread spectrum technology Co-location Channels Dwell time Throughput Hop time 1.3.4. Identify the laws set forth by the FCC that govern spread spectrum technology, including power outputs, frequencies, bandwidths, hop times, and dwell times.

Wireless LAN Technologies - 17%
2.1. 802.11 Network Architecture
	2.1.1. Identify and apply the processes involved in authentication and association Passive scanning Active scanning Authentication Association Open system authentication Shared key authentication Secret keys and certificates AAA Support 2.1.2. Recognize the following concepts associated with wireless LAN service sets BSS ESS IBSS SSID Infrastructure mode Ad-hoc mode Roaming 2.1.3. Understand the implications of the following power management features of wireless LANs PSP Mode CAM Beacons TIM ATIM ATIM Windows
2.2. Physical and MAC Layers
	2.2.1. Understand and apply the following concepts surrounding wireless LAN Frames The difference between wireless LAN and Ethernet frames Layer 3 Protocols supported by wireless LANs 2.2.2. Specify the modes of operation involved in the movement of data traffic across wireless LANs DCF PCF CSMA/CA vs. CSMA/CD Interframe spacing RTS/CTS Dynamic Rate Selection Modulation and coding

Wireless LAN Implementation and Management - 30%
3.1. Wireless LAN Application
	3.1.1. Identify the technology roles for which wireless LAN technology is an appropriate technology application Data access role Extension of existing networks into remote locations Building-to-building connectivity Last mile data delivery Flexibility for mobile users SOHO Use Mobile office, classroom, industrial, and healthcare
3.2. Hardware Management
	3.2.1. Identify the purpose of the following infrastructure devices and explain how to install, configure, and manage them Access points Wireless bridges Wireless workgroup bridges 3.2.2. Identify the purpose of the following wireless LAN client devices and explain how to install, configure, and manage them PCMCIA cards Serial and Ethernet converters USB devices PCI/ISA devices 3.2.3. Identify the purpose of the following wireless LAN gateway devices and explain how to install, configure, and manage them Residential gateways Enterprise gateways 3.2.4. Identify the basic attributes, purpose, and function of the following types of antennas Omni-directional/dipole Semi-directional High-gain 3.2.5. Describe the proper locations and methods for installing antennas. 3.2.6. Explain the concepts of polarization, gain, beamwidth, and free-space path loss as they apply to implementing solutions that require antennas. 3.2.7. Identify the use of the following wireless LAN accessories and explain how to install, configure, and manage them Power over Ethernet devices Amplifiers Attenuators Lightning arrestors RF connectors and cables RF splitters
3.3. Troubleshooting Wireless LAN Installations
	3.3.1. Identify, understand, correct or compensate for the following wireless LAN implementation challenges Multipath Hidden node Near-Far RF interference All-band interference System throughput Co-location throughput Weather 3.3.2. Explain how antenna diversity compensates for multipath.
3.4. RF Site Survey Fundamentals
	3.4.1. Identify and understand the importance and process of conducting a thorough site survey. 3.4.2. Identify and understand the importance of the necessary tasks involved in preparing to do an RF site survey Gathering business requirements Interviewing management and users Defining security requirements Site-specific documentation Documenting existing network characteristics 3.4.3. Identify the necessary equipment involved in performing a site survey Wireless LAN equipment Measurement tools Documentation 3.4.4. Understand the necessary procedures involved in performing a site survey Non-RF information Permits and zoning requirements Outdoor considerations RF related information Interference sources Connectivity and power requirements 3.4.5. Identify and understand site survey reporting procedures Requirements Methodology Measurements Security Graphical documentation Recommendations

Wireless LAN Security - 16%
4.1. Protection
	4.1.1. Identify the strengths, weaknesses and appropriate uses of the following wireless LAN security techniques WEP AES Filtering Emerging security techniques
4.2. Attacks
	4.2.1. Describe the following types of wireless LAN security attacks, and explain how to identify and prevent them Passive attacks (eavesdropping) Active attacks (connecting, probing, and configuring the network) Jamming attacks Man-in-the-middle attacks
4.3. Security Solutions
	4.3.1. Given a wireless LAN scenario, identify the appropriate security solution from the following available wireless LAN security solutions WEP key solutions Wireless VPN Key hopping AES based solutions Wireless gateways 802.1x and EAP 4.3.2. Explain the uses of the following corporate security policies and how they are used to secure a wireless LAN Securing sensitive information Physical security Inventory and audits Using advanced solutions Public networks 4.3.3. Identify how and where the following security precautions are used to secure a wireless LAN WEP Cell sizing Monitoring User authentication Wireless DMZ

Wireless LAN Industry and Standards - 13%
5.1. Standards
	5.1.1. Identify, apply and comprehend the differences between the following wireless LAN standards 802.11 802.11b 802.11a 802.11g Bluetooth HomeRF
5.2. Organizations & Regulations
	5.2.1. Understand the roles of the following organizations in providing direction and accountability within the wireless LAN industry FCC IEEE WECA WLANA IrDA ETSI 5.2.2. Identify the differences between the ISM and UNII bands 5.2.3. Identify and understand the differences between the power output rules for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint links 5.2.4. Identify the basic characteristics of infrared wireless LANs

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