Foreword
The finalization of the 802.11n standards in September 2009 appears to have been the starting point for tremendous technology evolution in the Wi-Fi industry all through 2010. Today we see coverage and capacity capabilities at lowered price points that were unheard of just a few years ago. Wireless equipment manufacturers are no longer concerned with simply providing automatic control of channel and power settings. Today’s centralized wireless network controllers provide quality of service (QoS) management, load balancing between adjacent access points, band steering (where an 802.11n client device is moved from a 2.4 GHz channel to a more optimal 5 GHz channel), and more. Real-time location services, sophisticated rogue device detection and blocking, geo-fencing, packet analysis, and other overlay technologies are riding on top of the Wi-Fi network infrastructure.
The Wi-Fi engineer in today’s marketplace is challenged to be better educated than may have been necessary a few years ago. I’ve often said that manufacturers’ data sheets can look like the result of collaboration between three marketing people and one engineer. Separating hype from reality can only be accomplished when you can hold a manufacturer’s claim or performance implication up to the measuring rod of core operational characteristics and the laws of physics. It’s that level of engineering detail that you’ll find in the pages of this Study Guide.
There are two categories of things to learn. First, you have to understand what the IEEE came up with when it specified 802.11 operational behavior in the various standards. You’re learning the logic and rules that were developed by a bunch of smart engineers. Second, you have to understand some aspects of electromagnetic wave propagation and the associated laws of physics. You’re learning the logic and rules that are part of nature. It’s this combination of rules and laws that provides the basis for fully understanding the way Wi-Fi works, how it interoperates, why it fails, and how to isolate, describe, mitigate, and repair problems. You’ll also be equipped to separate the hype from the reality when you’re assessing any of the numerous vendor claims in the marketplace.
Connect802 has had the opportunity to work with customers across the United States during on-site RF surveys, equipment installation, and postinstallation support and troubleshooting. We’ve seen the proverbial “good, bad, and ugly.” As a Certified Wireless Network Professional Premier Certified Solutions Provider and with multiple CWNP-certified engineers on staff, our company has seen the differentiation that CWNP certification makes in the field and in competitive sales situations. When we work with someone who has demonstrated their knowledge and experience through the CWNP certification program, we know we’re going to be working with someone who has technical competence. That person should be you.
The scope and depth of content in the CWAP exam are considered the basis for your continued engineering growth in the Wi-Fi space. The goal is not to simply “pass the test” but, rather, to learn and internalize what’s being presented. We all agree that what you have in your hands is a fundamental starting point and a core “springboard” for everything else you’ll be learning about RF engineering and wireless data communication in the future. Enjoy, learn, and have fun!
Joe Bardwell
President/Chief Scientist
Connect802 Corporation