Certification Overview
This certification is also known as "CWNA - Certified Wireless Network Administrator". CWNA certification forms the base of CWNP certification program. This is the basic level certification which is essential as a prerequisite for all the advanced certification on this path. It will endow the applicants with the basic knowledge to install survey and administer Wireless LAN or Wi-Fi networks. This certification provides the candidates with a starting point to pursue their careers as Wi-Fi specialist in their desired field of specialization. It will teach all the necessary and basic skills which will enable the candidates to move further in this field.
Who can do this Certification
Since this is a basic level certification, it does not require much experience by the candidate. However, those people who have acquired some formal or informal knowledge regarding networks and wireless systems will be best for this certification. This means that they should have a basic knowledge and idea of how things go about. In the form of this certification, these people have great opportunities in store for them. This certification shows high versatility as the applicant is able to go for any related field of specialization once he has done this certification.
Benefits
This certification is admired worldwide by different organizations to a great extent. It is highly-recognized and serves to make the candidates credible in the job market. People who have done this certification are enjoying jobs as Wi-Fi administrators and installers in great organizations. Their unique set of skills enables them to earn above $80000 annually which is extremely high as compared to the salaries of non-certified professionals. In fact, it is the shortest way for these people to achieve success.
Associated Exam
The most fundamental and basic exam of the set of CWNP certifications lies under the domain of CWNA certification. The exam is recognized as "CWNA - Certified Wireless Network Administrator Exam". The difficulty level of this exam will be moderate and it will host questions from different topics. The candidates have a lot of ways to prepare for this exam using online courses and sample tests. Further information regarding these courses could be obtained on the official website of CWNP.
Prerequisites
Although this is a basic level certification, it does require some fundamental skills. First of all, the candidate should have knowledge related to networks and their management. He should have a basic idea of how LANs and WANs work and it would be better if he has some experience as well. The certification will take his previous concepts and knowledge and build up on them. Furthermore, the candidate should also be familiar with Network-Centric programming at a basic level. The knowledge of various protocols is also demanded by this certification. Most importantly, the person should be able to define and demonstrate the use of various features that come along with Wi-Fi networks.
Examination Overview
CWNA - Certified Wireless Network Administrator Exam
There are six core topics which form the base of this exam. These topics relate to different areas of Wi-Fi networking and give the candidate an overall view of the specialized field with which each topic is related to. Following are the topics.
- Network Architecture
- Antenna Concepts
- WLAN Software and Hardware
- Network Management, Design, Security and Installation
- Troubleshooting
- Radio Frequency Technology
This list validates the fact that this certification consists of a wide range of topics. However, each topic will have various sub-topics under them which will require deep concentration to understand. Note that even though this is a basic level certification; learn certain new concepts could still be hard. For this reason, it would be in your best interest to thoroughly study the topics you find new or difficult. The distribution of each topic in the exam would roughly be the same.
The applicant will be allotted a time of 90 minutes to complete the test. The total number of questions in the exam are 60 and the applicant is required to get at least 42 questions right. Please note that the questions will only be multiple choice ones. The candidate cannot return to a question once he has marked the answer. Furthermore, only one answer has to be marked for every question.
Validity of the Certification
There is no expiry date for this certification announced. This means it will remain valid for an unlimited period of time unless the company wishes to withdraw it.
Expert Review
Wi-Fi networks have gained high popularity over the past few years. This means that there is a greater need for Wi-Fi professionals all over the world. This certification enables these people to opt for a career in this bright field and achieve great heights.
Eddie Lucas, Devising Strategies and solutions
Lyon, France
