The must-have guide to the CWTS exam, updated for 2017

CWTS Certified Wireless Technology Specialist Study Guide is your number-one resource for comprehensive exam preparation. Updated to study in 2017 and beyond, this book takes a multi-modal approach to ensure your complete confidence and ability for the big day: full coverage of all CWTS exam objectives reinforces your conceptual knowledge, hands-on exercises help hone your practical skills, and the Sybex online learning environment provides flashcards, a glossary, and review questions to help you test your understanding along the way. An objective map and pre-assessment test allow for more efficient preparation by showing you what you already know and what you need to review—and the companion website's complete practice exams give you a "dry run" so you can pinpoint weak areas while there's still time to improve. If you're serious about earning your CWTS certification, this book is your ideal companion for complete and thorough preparation.

Learn critical concepts and apply essential skills in areas like hardware and software, radio frequency fundamentals, surveying and installation, support, troubleshooting, security, and more. This guide gives you everything you need to approach the exam with confidence.

Master 100 percent of the CWTS exam objectives
Use effective planning tools to get the most out of your study time
Practice your skills with hands-on exercises and real-world scenarios

Access online study aids that let you review any time, any place

The CWTS certification gets your foot in the door of a growing industry, and is a stepping stone to the industry standard CWNP certification. The exam will test your abilities in all fundamental areas of Wi-Fi technology, so it's important that your study plan be complete and up-to-date. CWTS Certified Wireless Technology Specialist Study Guide is your ideal solution for comprehensive preparation.

Robert J. Bartz, CWNE, CWNT, is a technical trainer and consultant with more than 26 years of experience in computer networking technology. He has been involved with the CWNP program since its inception, and has taught vendor-neutral IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN technology to thousands of people globally. Robert is also the author of the first two editions of CWTS: Certified Wireless Technology Specialist Official Study Guide.

Introduction xvii

Assessment Test xl

Chapter 1 Computer Networking Fundamentals 1

Network Types 2

Network Topologies 7

The OSI Model 14

Device Addressing 21

Summary 27

Exam Essentials 28

Review Questions 30

Chapter 2 Wireless Local Area Networking, Standards, and Certifications 35

The Wireless Computer Network 36

Building-to-Building Connectivity Using Wireless LAN Technology 38

Radio Frequency Regulatory Domain Governing Bodies and Local Regulatory Authorities 40

The IEEE 42

Interoperability Certifications 55

Common Wireless Local Area Network Deployment Scenarios 59

Summary 71

Exam Essentials 72

Review Questions 73

Chapter 3 Infrastructure and Client Devices Used with Wireless Networking 77

The Wireless Access Point 80

Wireless Mesh 95

Wireless Bridges 96

Wireless Repeaters/Range Extenders 97

Wireless LAN Controllers and Cloud-Managed Architectures 98

Power over Ethernet 104

Radio Hardware Used with Wireless LAN Technology 108

USB 1.0, USB 1.1, USB 2.0, and USB 3.0 108

Peripheral Component Interconnect 112

Mini-PCI, Mini-PCIe, and Half Mini-PCIe 115

Wireless Workgroup Bridges 118

Client Device Drivers 121

Client Utility Software 121

Summary 124

Exam Essentials 125

Review Questions 126

Chapter 4 Radio Frequency Fundamentals for Wireless Networking 131

Understanding Radio Frequency 133

Wireless LAN Coverage and Capacity 143

Radio Frequency Range and Speed 150

Wi-Fi and Non–Wi-Fi Interference 152

Basic Units of Radio Frequency Measurement 158

Summary 166

Exam Essentials 167

Review Questions 168

Chapter 5 Antenna Technology for Wireless Networking 171

Basic Radio Frequency Antenna Concepts 172

Wireless LAN Antenna Types 180

Radio Frequency Cables and Connectors 195

Factors in Antenna Installation 199

Minimizing the Effects of Multipath Using Antenna Diversity 200

Combating Effects of Wind and Lightning in Wireless LAN Installations 201

Installation Safety 203

Antenna Mounting 203

Maintaining Clear Communications 206

Summary 208

Exam Essentials 209

Review Questions 211

Chapter 6 Communication for Wireless Networking 215

Wireless LAN Operation Methods 216

Connecting to an IEEE 802.11 Wireless Network 227

The Distribution System 237

Data Rates 238

Throughput 240

Dynamic Rate Switching 246

Wireless LAN Transitioning/Roaming 247

IEEE 802.11 Power Save Operations 249

IEEE 802.11 Protection Mechanisms 251

Summary 254

Exam Essentials 256

Review Questions 257

Chapter 7 Modulation Technology for Wireless Networking 261

Network Access Methods 262

Spread-Spectrum Technology 269

IEEE 802.11 DSSS and HR/DSSS Channels 271

IEEE 802.11g Extended Rate Physical 273

IEEE 802.11n High Throughput 275

IEEE 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11n, and 802.11ac OFDM 275

Summary 287

Exam Essentials 287

Review Questions 289

Chapter 8 Security Fundamentals for Wireless Networking 293

Introducing IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN Security 295

Wireless LAN Threats and Intrusion 295

IEEE 802.11 Standard Security 297

Early Wireless LAN Security Methods 298

MAC Address Filtering 301

IEEE 802.11 Authentication and Data Encryption 302

IEEE 802.11 SOHO and Enterprise Security Technologies 304

Wi-Fi Protected Access and WPA2 Personal Security 307

WPA and WPA2 Enterprise Security 308

IEEE 802.1X/EAP 308

IEEE 802.11 Encryption Methods 313

Role-Based Access Control 317

Virtual Private Networking 318

The Wireless Intrusion Prevention System 328

The Captive Portal 334

Wireless Network Management and Monitoring Systems 334

Industry Regulatory Compliance 339

Summary 340

Exam Essentials 341

Review Questions 343

Chapter 9 Design for Wireless Networking 347

Wireless Site Surveys 349

Gathering Business Requirements 356

Interviewing Stakeholders 358

Gathering Site-Specific Documentation 362

Identifying Infrastructure Connectivity and Power Requirements 366

Understanding Application Requirements 368

Understanding Radio Frequency Coverage and Capacity Requirements 369

Client Connectivity Requirements 369

Antenna Use Considerations 370

The Physical Radio Frequency Site Survey Process 374

Radio Frequency Spectrum Analysis 375

Received Signal Strength 385

Performing a Manual Radio Frequency Wireless Site Survey 387

Performing a Predictive Modeling Site Survey 400

Performing a Post-Deployment Site Survey 403

Protocol Analysis 403

RF Coverage Planning 410

Infrastructure Hardware Selection and Placement 410

Testing Different Antennas 411

Wireless Channel Architectures 413

Wireless Device Installation Limitations 414

Site Survey Report 415

Summary 417

Exam Essentials 418

Review Questions 420

Chapter 10 Mobile Device Management and BYOD Fundamentals 425

Mobile Device Management Solutions 427

Common Mobile Device Operating System Platforms 430

The Mobile Application Store 431

Pushing Content to Mobile Devices 435

Mobile Device Management Administrative Permissions 436

Understanding Mobile Device Management High Availability and Redundancy 436

Mobile Device Management Device Groups 437

Location-Based Services 438

Mobile Device Telecommunications Expense Management 440

Captive and Self-Service Portals 440

General Technology Network and Security Policy 442

Information Technology and Security Policy Implementation and Adherence 443

Backup, Restore, and Recovery Policies 445

Operating System Modifications and Customization 446

Technology Profiles 448

Understanding Group Profiles 451

Policy and Profile Pilot Testing 453

Summary 454

Exam Essentials 455

Review Questions 456

Chapter 11 Troubleshooting for Wireless Networking 461

Identifying Wireless LAN Problems 462

Wireless LAN Connectivity—Coverage and Capacity Problems 465

Application Performance Problems 480

Optimizing Wireless Networks 488

Summary 498

Exam Essentials 499

Review Questions 500

Appendix Answers to Review Questions 505

Chapter 1: Computer Networking Fundamentals 506

Chapter 2: Wireless Local Area Networking, Standards, and Certifications 508

Chapter 3: Infrastructure and Client Devices Used with Wireless Networking 509

Chapter 4: Radio Frequency Fundamentals for Wireless Networking 511

Chapter 5: Antenna Technology for Wireless Networking 512

Chapter 6: Communication for Wireless Networking 514

Chapter 7: Modulation Technology for Wireless Networking 516

Chapter 8: Security Faundamentals for Wireless Networking 517

Chapter 9: Design for Wireless Networking 519

Chapter 10: Mobile Device Management and BYOD Fundamentals 521

Chapter 11: Troubleshooting for Wireless Networking 525

Index 529

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