Course Outline

The following list contains the materials covered in the lecture portion of the course.

Introduction to Networking

• Understanding Network Models

• Understanding Protocols

• SDU

• PDU

• OSI – The de facto reference model

• The seven layer model

• Equipment per layer

• Mapping other protocols into the OSI model

• TCP/IP – four layer model

Wi-Fi Organizations and Standards

• Regulatory Bodies

• IEEE

• Wi-Fi Alliance

• WLAN Connectivity

• WLAN Security

• WLAN QoS & Power-Save

   

  Wi-Fi Hardware & Software

• Access Points

• Lightweight

• Autonomous

• WLAN Routers

• WLAN Bridges

• WLAN Repeaters

• WLAN Controllers/Switches

• Direct-connect APs

• Distributed-connect APs

• PoE Infrastructure

• Midspan

• Endpoint

• Client hardware and software

• Antenna types and uses

Wi-Fi Security & Compliance

• 802.11 Legacy Security Methods

• Encryption – TKIP/CCMP

• Authentication Passphrases & 802.1X/EAP

• WPA/WPA2-Personal

• WPA/WPA2-Enterprise

• WPS Pushbutton/ PIN

• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

• VPN Security

• Wireless Intrusion

• Protection Systems (WIPS)

• PCI Compliance

• HIPAA Compliance

• Enforcing Compliance

Wi-Fi Site Surveying

• Information gathering and reporting

• Multiple Channel Architecture (MCA) cell planning basics

• Single Channel Architecture (SCA) cell planning basics

• Predictive Site Survey

• Manual Site Survey

• Passive Survey

• Active Survey

• Mesh Access Layers

• Use of Analyzers

• Protocol

• Survey

• Spectrum

• Identifying and locating RF interference sources

• Wi-Fi vs. Non-Wi-Fi

• Hardware placement limitations

• Best practices for antenna use

Wi-Fi Operational Concepts

• Range, coverage, and capacity

• Frequencies/channels used

• Channel reuse and co-location

• Active and passive scanning

• Power saving operation

• Data rates and throughput

• Dynamic rate selection

• Authentication and association

• The distribution system and roaming

• Infrastructure and ad hoc modes

• BSSID and ESSID

• Protection mechanisms

Applications, Support, and Troubleshooting

• Installation/configuration of common network types

• Small Office / Home Office (SOHO)

• Extension of existing networks into remote locations

• Building-to-building connectivity

• Public wireless hotspots

• Mobile office, classroom, industrial, and healthcare

• Municipal and law-enforcement connectivity

• Corporate data access and end-user mobility

• Last-mile data delivery (WISP)

• Transportation networks

• Recognize and troubleshoot wireless network problems

• Decreased throughput

• Intermittent or no connectivity

• Weak signal strength

• Device upgrades

• Wi-Fi Network Optimization Procedures

• Infrastructure hardware selection and placement

• Identifying, locating, and removing sources of interference

• Client load-balancing

• Analyzing infrastructure capacity and utilization

• Multipath and hidden nodes

Radio Frequency (RF) Fundamentals

• Units of RF measurements

• Factors affecting network range and speed

• Environment

• Line-of-sight

• Interference

• Defining differences between physical layers

• OFDM

• HR/DSSS

• MIMO

Spread Spectrum Concepts

• OFDM & HR/DSSS channels

• Co-location of HR/DSSS and OFDM systems

• Adjacent-channel and co-channel interference

• WLAN / WPAN co-existence

• CSMA/CA operation half duplex

RF Antenna Concepts

• Passive gain

• Beam widths

• Simple diversity

• Polarization

• Antenna Mounting

• Pole/mast mount

• Ceiling mount

• Wall mount

• WLAN Accessories

• RF cables

• RF connectors

• Lightning arrestors and grounding rods