Course Outline
The following list contains the materials covered in the lecture portion of the course.
Introduction to 802.11 WLANs
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Discuss the standards organizations responsible for shaping the 802.11 Wireless LAN protocol
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Learn how standards compliance is enforced for 802.11 WLAN vendors
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Examine the 802.11 standard and various amendments
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Discuss additional networking standards that are commonly used to enhance 802.11 WLANs
Radio Frequency Fundamentals
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Physical aspects of RF propagation
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Types of losses and attenuation that affect RF communications
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Types of modulation and coding schemes (MCS) used for 802.11 communications
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How channels and bandwidth are related to each other in wireless networks
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Types of Spread Spectrum used in wireless networking
RF Power Output Regulations
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Understand international, regional, and local RF spectrum management organizations
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Understand RF channels in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency ranges
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Understand how power output limitations are enforced by the FCC for Point-to-Multipoint (PtMP) and Point-to-Point (PtP) wireless connections
Power over Ethernet
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Recognize the two types of devices used in Power over Ethernet (PoE)
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Recognize the differences between the two types of Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE)
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Understand the two ways in which power can be delivered using PoE
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Understand the importance of planning to maximize the efficiency of Power over Ethernet
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Understand the two standards currently available for PoE
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Powering 802.11n APs
Basic WLAN Analysis
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Protocol Analysis
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802.11 Frame Types
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Data Frames
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Control Frames
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Management Frames
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Protection Mechanisms
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Legacy Power Saving operations
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Transmission Rates
Coordinating 802.11 Frame Transmissions
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Differences between CSMA/CD and CSMA/CA
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Distributed Coordination Function (DCF)
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Network Allocation Vector (NAV)
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Clear Channel Assessment (CCA)
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Interframe Spacing (IFS)
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Contention Window (CW)
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Quality of Service in 802.11 WLANs
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Point Coordination Function (PCF)
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Hybrid Coordination Function (HCF)
RF Math and System Operating Margin
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RF units of measure
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Basic RF mathematics
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RF signal measurements
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Understand link budgets
802.11 Service Sets
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Three types of service sets defined for use within 802.11 WLANs
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802.11 authentication and association
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802.11 network infrastructure
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Roaming within a WLAN
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Load-balancing as a method to improve congestion in WLANs
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The 802.11n Amendment
Challenges addressed by 802.11n
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802.11n PHY/MAC layer enhancements
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MIMO and SISO systems
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802.11n coexistence mechanisms
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802.11n integration and deployment considerations
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802.11n site surveying and analysis
Wireless LAN Operation
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WLAN Hardware Devices
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WLAN Software
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Architecture Types and Evolution
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Ad Hoc & Infrastructure Connectivity Operation
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AP Modes
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Bridging & Repeating
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Mesh Networking
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WLAN Controller Deployments
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WLAN Profiles
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Multichannel Architecture (MCA)
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Single Channel Architecture (SCA)
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WLAN Management Systems (WNMS)
WLAN Security
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The Importance of WLAN Security
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Security Policy
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Legacy WLAN Security Mechanisms
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Modern WLAN Security Mechanisms
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Baseline WLAN Security Practices
Site Surveying
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Defining an RF site survey
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Spectrum Analysis
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Types of RF site surveys
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Manual RF site surveys
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Predictive Modeling
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Dense AP deployments
Antennas
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Types of antennas and antenna systems commonly used in 802.11 WLANs
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Antenna Polarization and Gain
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Antenna implementation and safety
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Types of antenna cables, connectors, and other accessories