What topics are important for CCNA wireless exam?

Certification: Cisco CCNA Wireless - Cisco Certified Network Associate Wireless


What is the CCNA Wireless Certification Exam?

The Cisco Certified Network Associates Wireless (CCNA Wireless), mainly validates and sanctions a certain level of skills and knowledge to configure, implement and support wireless LANs, specifically those used in network using equipment from Cisco. Specialist involved with getting the CCNA Wireless certification include wireless support specialists, WLAN project managers and network partners and administrators.  The course outline of the CCNA wireless mainly involves that the student get to understand more on configuring, monitoring and troubleshooting the basics involved in Cisco WLAN in SMB and Enterprise networks. For on to qualify for the CCNA Wireless certification, they need to have a certification in any of the following, the CCNA routing and Switching, Cisco CCENT or nay CCIE certification.

Foe one to get certified, they need to pass the 640-722 IUWNE (Implementing Cisco Unified Wireless Networking Essentials) exam. The 640-722 IUWNE is an exam with a total of 75 to 85 questions, which should be answered under the time duration of 90 minutes. For a student to adequately prepare for this exam, they need to take the Cisco approved training course in Implementing Cisco Unified Wireless Networking Essentials (IUWNE). The purpose of taking the training course is to get to learn and practice on how to design, install, configure, monitor and conduct simple troubleshooting of a Cisco WLAN in Enterprise installations. The 640-722 IUWNE tests students' knowledge and ability in configuring, operating and troubleshooting small to medium size WLANs. The training and prep course that one does for the CCNA covers the basic concepts and topics that are going to be assessed in the 640-722 IUWNE exam.

Topics tested in the CCNA wireless exam

The CCNA 640-722 exam covers various topics; the candidate will be mainly tested on how to install, configure and troubleshoot medium-sized WLANs (Wireless Local Area Networks). The following is an outline of the topics covered in the 640-722 IUWNE.

Describe WLAN fundamentals

20% of the exam is tested on this topic. One is required to know the following:

  • Expound and describe on the basics of spread spectrum and technology.
  • Be able to explain the impacts of various wireless technologies, this includes Bluetooth, WiMAX, cordless phone and ZigBee.
  • Understand and explain on wireless regulatory standards, certification and standards, this includes WiFi Alliance, ETSI, FCC and 802.11a/b/g/n.
  • Be able to explain 802.11 authentication and encryption methods.
  • Comprehend the frame types, which are data, associated and associated, control and management.

These are some of the concepts that one should be aware of in the WLAN fundamentals topic.

Install a Basic Cisco Wireless LAN

This topic takes about 17% of the exam. The following are some of the concepts in this topic:

  • Be able to describe the modes of controller-based AP deployment, this includes OEAP, SE-Connect, Local, Monitor, Sniffer, Bridge and Rogue detector.
  • Expound on controlled-based AP discovery and association. This includes DHCP, n+1 redundancy, Master-Controller, DNS and Primary-Secondary-Tertiary.
  • BE able to define and expound on how to configure a WLAN controller and access points. This includes WLC (WLANs, Web UI, CLI wizard, ports, interfaces and LAG) and AP (Power and Channel)

Other concepts in this topic include roaming and Cisco Unified Wireless Network architecture.

Install Wireless Clients

This topic takes around 15% of the total exam. The following are the general concepts in this topic:

  • One needs to describe client WLN configuration requirements, including SSID, selection, authenticating and security.
  • Be able to identify the capabilities that are available in Cisco Unified CCX versions, 1 to 5.
  • Expound on the Cisco AnyConnect 3.0 or above wireless configuration parameters.
  • Get to understand more on the basic configuration of common wireless supplicants, which includes Android, Windows, Intel Wireless Pro, Macintosh and iOS.

These is the summary of the concepts concerned with the Install Wireless Clients.

Implement Basic WLAN security

This topic takes around 17% of the total exam. The following are some of the concepts assessed in this topic:

  • Get to know on the framework of wireless security and security components. (IPS, MFP, Encryption and Authentication)
  • Understand and be able to explain the evolution of supported authentication methods. (PSK and 802.1X including LEAP, PEAP, WPA/WPA2, EAP-FAST and EAP-TLS)
  • Get to know how to configure the various sources of authentication. (includes RADIUS and EAP external or EAP local)
  • Learn how to configure encryption and authentication methods that are on WLAN. (802.1x and WPA/WPA2)
  • Learn how to implement wireless guest networking.

Operate Basic WCS

This topic takes about 17% of the total exam. The following are some of the concepts that are assessed:

  • Be able to generate the standard WCS reports (Utilization, AP-relates, Inventory, Clean air and Client-related)
  • Get to learn how to use the WCS monitor tab and alarm to verify WLAN operations.
  • Get to understand how to utilise preconfigured maps in WCS.
  • Understand the WCS interface.
  • Get to learn and expound on the key functions of the Cisco WCS and Navigator.
  • Also, learn how to configure controller and Aps.

Conduct Basic WLAN Maintenance and Troubleshooting

This topic takes about 12% of the main exam. The concepts tested in the exam from this topic include:

  • Being able to distinguish and utilise the WLAN problem solving tools.
  • Learn how to use the WCS client troubleshooting tool.
  • Get to understand on to transfer logs, cooperating systems images and configuring field within the WLC through the GUI.
  • Get to know the difference and comprehend on the use of the ALC and the AP management access methods.

These are the main six topics that are tested in the CCNA Wireless exam. Once the candidate passes this exam, they will be awarded certification in this program. As a student who is preparing for this exam, you need to get a detailed analysis of the topics so as to understand what is required of you in the exam.