The Wireless LAN for System Engineers exam is one of several requirements for System Engineers supporting a Partner Wireless LAN Specialization.
Exam Topics
The following information provides general guidelines for the content likely to be included on the exam. However, other related topics may also appear on any specific delivery of the exam.
Identify important 802.11 regulatory issues, key aspects of RF transmission, main sources of RF noise, and critical noise resolutions
Identify the different 802.11 standards set by IEEE and other important agency standards
Identify regulatory issues relating to unlicensed bands
Describe the sources of RF noise and how to resolve the problem
Identify important 802.11 standards affecting Cisco WLAN products
Identify and describe the function and use of Cisco AP and Bridge antennas
Describe decibel calculations and the uses of various decibel units
Differentiate between dBi and dBd
Define EIRP
Identify cable loss factors
Identify the fundamentals of antenna operation and deployment
Describe the categories of antennas and their uses
Describe Multipath distortion and other RF transmission problems
Describe the operation of the Diversity antenna system
Define basic facts of EIRP
Explain what an isotropic antenna is and why it is used as a reference for other antennas
Identify site survey considerations and procedures
Describe the Cisco SWAN solution and the fundamentals of planning a WLAN deployment
Identify the components of a WLAN and describe their functions
Identify the functions of various Cisco client (WGB, PCI, mini PCI, PCMCIA, LMC)
Identify workgroup bridge characteristics and functionality
Define the intended use of a wireless LAN (WLAN)
Identify benefits and concerns of channel reuse
Define the concept of "non-overlapping" channels and the benefit of using these channels
Identify the relationship between data rate and cell size (coverage area)
Define the performance impact of 11b client in cell coverage of an 11g access point
Identify the solution SWAN (Structured Wireless Aware Network)
Describe the operation and uses of repeaters
Describe hot-standby mode and its benefits
Explain a Metropolitan Mobile Network solution
Define the components of a Networks in Motion solution
Identify and describe critical aspects that affect wireless bridge deployment
Describe deployment considerations such as distance limits and path loss
Describe the difference between an AP and a bridge
Identify considerations for selecting antennas to be used with the Wireless Bridges
List environmental factors affecting wireless performance and calculate path loss (trees, fresnel zone)
Items that need to be considered when doing an outdoor path analysis
List methods for increasing the transmission distance
Explain why a wireless bridge may be a better solution than other alternatives
Describe different roles of the Bridges in a Radio Network and installation considerations
Explain and determine the feasibility of installing a wireless bridge link
Explain the difference between a root and non-root Mode bridge
Identify and perform basic and advanced AP/bridge configuration using appropriate drivers, functions, and client configuration
Identify the benefits of using filtering options
Identify how to perform initial configurations to both APs and Bridges
Identify where and how to configure advanced features in APs and Bridges
Identify which client operating systems are supported by each of the Cisco client cards
Identify how an administrator can push out drivers/utilities and configurations to large number of clients
Identify what the wireless system tray Icon can be used for
Explain the importance of security in a WLAN and appropriately configure the client/AP to use security measures
List the benefits of server-based security
Set up MAC address filtering as a security tool
Explain how 802.11 and 802.1X can provide better security for a WLAN
Explain how to configure a WLAN to provide the same levels of security that a wired LAN would provide
Explain what WiFi Protected Access is and how it enhances WLAN security
Configure an access point and wireless client to use security measures
Configure Cisco ACS for use with Cisco Aironet products
Identify and use tools in the Cisco SWAN solution in the management of a WLAN
Identify and describe the tools available for managing Cisco Wireless LANs including individual AP tools and managing APs collectively with the Cisco Wireless LAN Solution Engine (WLSE)
Communicate the Structured Wireless Aware Network (SWAN) Architecture relative to the components and wireless LAN management and explain Radio Management
Explain the need for Fast Roaming, detail the steps involved in a Layer 2 roam and explain the steps involved in Fast Roaming
Recommended Training
Aironet Wireless LAN Fundamentals and Site Survey (AWFSS) is the recommended training for this exam.
Courses listed are offered by Cisco Learning Partners, the only authorized source for Cisco IT training delivered exclusively by Certified Cisco Instructors. Check the List of Learning Partners for a Cisco Learning Partner nearest you.
Additional Resources
A variety of Cisco Press Self-Study titles are available for this exam. These titles can be purchased at the Cisco Marketplace, directly from Cisco Press, or wherever you purchase technical books.
