Cisco Wireless Certifications

A number of certification programs can prove your knowledge in various Cisco technologies. WLANs are no different. Cisco offers three certification tracks for WLANs:

• WLAN Design Specialist

• WLAN Sales Specialist

• WLAN Support Specialist

WLAN-certified specialists must understand 802.11 radio technologies and be able to configure WLAN products, specifically the Cisco Aironet line of APs, bridges, and client adapters.

Note

Cisco acquired Airespace in 2005. Look for Airespace content to be added to its wireless certification programs.

Note

Training courses are available through Cisco learning partners. For more information on training courses or training in your area, go to: http://www.cisco.com/go/learningpartners.

WLAN Design Specialist

The Cisco WLAN Design Specialist certification is targeted at individuals who want to demonstrate their knowledge and skill at designing WLANs. The prerequisite for this exam is to have completed Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) certification. Passing the WLAN for System Engineers (WLANSE 642-577) exam is required for this certification.

The recommended classroom training for this exam includes either one of the following:

• Aironet WLAN Fundamentals and Cisco Aironet Wireless Site Survey (4 days, classroom)

• Aironet WLAN Fundamentals v4.0 (3 days, classroom) and Cisco Aironet Wireless Site Survey v4.0 (1 day, classroom)

The WLAN for System Engineers (WLANSE 642-577) exam covers the following topics:

• Radio technology (including specifics for 802.11's different standards, as well as regulatory issues)

• Antenna concepts (including decibel calculations, multipath distortion, and antenna types)

• WLAN topologies (including components of a WLAN and nonoverlapping channels)

• Wireless bridges (including deployment and configuration)

• Wireless APs (including configuration and filtering)

• Aironet Client Utility and drivers

• Security

• WLAN management

• Metropolitan mobile wireless solutions

WLAN Sales Specialist

The WLAN Sales Specialist certification is meant for Cisco channel partners and resellers. This certification allows a specialist to show knowledge of Cisco WLAN concepts, systems, and applications, especially as they relate to sales. A prerequisite certification as a Cisco Sales Expert as well as successfully passing the WLAN for Account Managers (WLANAM 646-102) exam are required for this certification.

The recommended classroom training for this exam includes both of the following:

• Account Manager Learning Environment (AMLE)WLAN 3.0

• Cisco Products Solutions Essentials (CPSE) 8.0 for AMsWireless for AMs

The WLAN for Account Managers (WLANAM 646-102) exam focuses on explaining Cisco WLAN offerings, with an emphasis on how they can help various organizations. The test evaluates an applicant's knowledge of the following topics:

• WLANs

• Building-to-building wireless products

• WLAN security

• WLANs functionality in vertical markets (education, retail, healthcare, and hospitality)

• WLAN functionality in horizontal markets (enterprise and financial industries)

• WLAN uses

• WLAN security features

WLAN Support Specialist

After a WLAN has been designed and deployed, specialists are needed to maintain and support the network. The WLAN Support Specialist certification is used to prove a specialist's skill in support and maintenance. CCNA certification is a prerequisite for this exam.

Passing the WLAN for Field Engineers (WLANFE 642-582) exam is required for this certification.

The recommended classroom training for this exam includes either one of the following:

• Aironet WLAN Fundamentals and Cisco Aironet Wireless Site Survey (4 days, classroom)

• Aironet WLAN Fundamentals v4.0 (3 days, classroom) and Cisco Aironet Wireless Site Survey v4.0 (1 day, classroom)

The WLAN for Field Engineers (WLANFE 642-582) exam covers the following topics:

• Radio technology (including specifics for 802.11's different standards, as well as regulatory issues)

• Antenna concepts (including decibel calculations, multipath distortion, and antenna types)

• WLAN topologies (including components of a WLAN and nonoverlapping channels)

• Wireless bridges (including deployment and configuration)

• Wireless APs (including configuration and filtering)

• Aironet Client Utility and drivers

• Security

• WLAN management

• Site survey (including the components used in a site survey, antenna and AP mounting issues, and using the WLSE Assisted Site Survey Tool)

Wireless networking technology is constantly evolving. As wireless networks add more functionality, it will be important to understand and effectively deploy and maintain these systems.