Cisco CCNA Wireless Certification Guide

With more and more companies adding wireless to their network infrastructure, the need for skilled wireless professionals has begun to grow.

Cisco, being one of the leaders in network innovations, understands this trend and tackles this need with the implementation of the CCNA Wireless certification track.

The CCNA Wireless Certification is one of Cisco’s Associate level certifications that is available along with two other specialized tracks, together known as the CCNA Concentrations.

For those of you who may not know what the CCNA Concentrations include, take a look at some of my previous articles where I describe what potential candidates need in order to prepare for and pass these exams:

• CCNA Certification Overview
• CCNA Security Certification
• CCNA Voice Certification

CCNA Wireless Certification

The CCNA Wireless Certification Exam, otherwise known as the Implementing Cisco Unified Wireless Network Essential (IUWNE) exam (640-721) consists of approximately 75-85 questions which must be completed in a time frame of 90 minutes.

If you want to get certified in Cisco’s Wireless field, you will want to begin with the associate level wireless cert, as it is a prerequisite for the professional level CCNP Wireless certification.

Like most of Cisco associate level exams, you have a number of options to choose from depending on your native language. These include English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Portuguese, Korean, French and Spanish, with all other languages, except English, given an additional 30 minutes. All this really means is that, if English is not the native language for the country you’re taking the exam in, you’ll be allotted that extra 30 minutes.

CCNA Wireless Exam Objectives

Now, let’s get into exactly what technologies and topics are covered on the CCNA Wireless 640-721 exam. You will be tested on your ability to install, configure and troubleshoot small to medium-sized Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs).

These are the topics covered on the 640-721 exam as outlined on Cisco’s Learning Network:

Describe WLAN fundamentals

• Describe the basics of spread spectrum technology (modulation, DSS, OFDM, MIMO, Channels reuse and overlap, Rate-shifting, CSMA/CA)
• Describe the impact of various wireless technologies (Bluetooth, WiMAX, ZigBee, cordless phone)
• Describe wireless regulatory bodies, standards and certifications (FCC, ETSI, 802.11a/b/g/n, WiFi Alliance)
• Describe WLAN RF principles (antenna types, RF gain/loss, EIRP, refraction, reflection, ETC)
• Describe networking technologies used in wireless (SSID –> WLAN_ID –> Interface — >VLAN, 802.1q trunking)
• Describe wireless topologies (IBSS, BSS, ESS, Point-to-Point, Point-to-Multipoint, basic Mesh, bridging)
• Describe 802.11 authentication and encryption methods (Open, Shared, 802.1X, EAP, TKIP, AES)
• Describe frame types (associated/unassociated, management, control, data)

Install a basic Cisco wireless LAN

• Describe the basics of the Cisco Unified Wireless Network architecture (Split MAC, LWAPP, stand-alone AP versus controller-based AP, specific hardware examples)
• Describe the Cisco Mobility Express Wireless architecture (Smart Business Communication System — SBCS, Cisco Config Agent — CCA, 526WLC, 521AP – stand-alone and controller-based)
• Describe the modes of controller-based AP deployment (local, monitor, HREAP, sniffer, rogue detector, bridge)
• Describe controller-based AP discovery and association (OTAP, DHCP, DNS, Master-Controller, Primary-Secondary-Tertiary, n+1 redundancy)
• Describe roaming (Layer 2 and Layer 3, intra-controller and inter-controller, mobility groups)
• Configure a WLAN controller and access points WLC: ports, interfaces, WLANs, NTP, CLI and Web UI, CLI wizard, LAG AP: Channel, Power
• Configure the basics of a stand-alone access point (no lab) (Express setup, basic security)
• Describe RRM

Install Wireless Clients

• Describe client OS WLAN configuration (Windows, Apple, and Linux)
• Install Cisco ADU
• Describe basic CSSC
• Describe CCX versions 1 through 5

Implement basic WLAN Security

• Describe the general framework of wireless security and security components (authentication, encryption, MFP, IPS)
• Describe and configure authentication methods (Guest, PSK, 802.1X, WPA/WPA2 with EAP- TLS, EAP-FAST, PEAP, LEAP)
• Describe and configure encryption methods (WPA/WPA2 with TKIP, AES)
• Describe and configure the different sources of authentication (PSK, EAP-local or -external, Radius)

Operate basic WCS

• Describe key features of WCS and Navigator (versions and licensing)
• Install/upgrade WCS and configure basic administration parameters (ports, O/S version, strong passwords, service vs. application)
• Configure controllers and APs (using the Configuration tab not templates)
• Configure and use maps in the WCS (add campus, building, floor, maps, position AP)
• Use the WCS monitor tab and alarm summary to verify the WLAN operations

Conduct basic WLAN Maintenance and Troubleshooting

• Identify basic WLAN troubleshooting methods for controllers, access points, and clients methodologies
• Describe basic RF deployment considerations related to site survey design of data or VoWLAN applications, Common RF interference sources such as devices, building material, AP location Basic RF site survey design related to channel reuse, signal strength, cell overlap
• Describe the use of WLC show, debug and logging
• Describe the use of the WCS client troubleshooting tool
• Transfer WLC config and O/S using maintenance tools and commands
• Describe and differentiate WLC WLAN management access methods (console port, CLI, telnet, ssh, http, https, wired versus wireless management)

For an entry level cert, this sure does cover quite a number of topics. But then again, this is Cisco, the leader in Network innovation, so you can’t really expect anything less from them.

Why Get the CCNA Wireless Certification?

As I mentioned before, the wireless job market is beginning to pick up pace, with more and more companies expanding their infrastructure to include wireless. This is definitely going to require network engineers who have the skills needed to support these infrastructures and having a CCNA Wireless added to your resume will surely demonstrate this to potential and prospective employers.

The certification will help you set yourself apart from other candidates, or perhaps, get a pay raise or bonus, which is always a good thing. Another reason for getting it may be that you’re already working within the wireless field, but mainly with open source or other vendor platforms, and you’re interested in breaking into the Cisco world of wireless. Beginning with the CCNA Wireless will definitely give you the knowledge needed to understand how Cisco’s wireless technology works, which is the most important thing needed before you strive for the higher level certs.

CCNA Wireless Recommended Training

For reading materials I would recommend the Cisco Press CCNA Wireless Official Exam Certification Guide (CCNA IUWNE 640-721) by Brandon James Carroll and Sybex’s CCNA Wireless Study Guide by Todd Lammle. Both of these books go in depth on the topics covered within the exam.

Unfortunately, Cisco Press is yet to release a Quick Reference Guide for the CCNA Wireless track. This might be a disappointment to some, especially if you’re a big fan of Cisco’s Quick Reference Guides.

Cisco’s Learning Network also has a wealth of documentation that will help you with your studies. Plus, don’t forget to check out the Quick Learning Modules under the wireless section.

Turns out, finding training materials for this track can be quite a challenge. Train Signal along with Transcender are yet to release training and practice exams for the CCNA Wireless to their collections.

Finding simulators for your lab also is proving to be a challenge. My guess is that, as time goes on and the wireless field grows more and gets even higher in demand, then you will start to find training materials much easier.

At this point, there’s not much that I can recommend to you but I’ll be sure to update this post as soon as I find a recommended training, practice exam and simulation solution for the CCNA wireless track.

I hope you found this overview of the CCNA Wireless track informative and kindly feel free to post comments if you have any other recommended solutions for learning. Good Luck!

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