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CCNA Wireless Exam Guide: Wireless Traffic Flow and AP Discovery
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Table of Contents
Foreword xix
Introduction xx
Part I Wireless LAN Fundamentals 2
Chapter 1 Introduction to Wireless Networking Concepts 5
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 5
Foundation Topics 8
Wireless Local-Area Networks 8
How Bandwidth Is Achieved from RF Signals 8
Unlicensed Frequency Bands Used in WLANs 9
900 MHz 11
2.4 GHz 11
5 GHz 12
Modulation Techniques and How They Work 12
DSSS 12
MIMO 16
Dynamic Rate Shifting 17
Sending Data Using CSMA/CA 17
Exam Preparation Tasks 18
Review All Key Concepts 18
Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 18
Definition of Key Terms 18
Chapter 2 Standards Bodies 21
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 21
Foundation Topics 24
Wireless Standards and Regulatory Committees 24
FCC 24
ETSI 25
IEEE 27
Wi-Fi Certification 27
Exam Preparation Tasks 28
Review All the Key Topics 28
Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 28
Definition of Key Terms 28
Chapter 3 WLAN RF Principles 31
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 31
Foundation Topics 34
Characteristics of Wireless Networks 34
Review of Wavelength 34
Review of Frequency 34
Review of Amplitude 35
What Is Effective Isotropic Radiated Power? 35
Influences on Wireless Transmissions 35
Understanding the Free Path Loss Model 35
Understanding Absorption 36
Understanding Reflection 38
Understanding Multipath 39
Understanding Scattering 39
Understanding Refraction 40
Understanding Line of Sight 41
Determining Signal Strength Influences 42
The Fresnel Zone 42
Received Signal Strength Indicator 42
Signal-to-Noise Ratio 43
Link Budget 44
Exam Preparation Tasks 45
Review All Key Concepts 45
Definition of Key Terms 45
Chapter 4 WLAN Technologies and Topologies 47
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 47
Foundation Topics 52
General Wireless Topologies 52
WPAN 52
WLAN 53
WMAN 54
WWAN 54
Original 802.11 Topologies 55
Overview of Ad Hoc Networks 55
Network Infrastructure Mode 55
Service Set Identifiers 58
Vendor-Specific Topology Extensions 59
Workgroup Bridges 59
Repeaters 60
Outdoor Wireless Bridges 61
Outdoor Mesh Networks 62
Exam Preparation Tasks 64
Review All the Key Topics 64
Definition of Key Terms 64
Chapter 5 Antenna Communications 67
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 67
Foundation Topics 71
Principles of Antennas 71
Polarization 71
Diversity 71
Common Antenna Types 73
Omnidirectional Antennas 73
Directional Antennas 79
Antenna Connectors and Hardware 89
Attenuators 89
Amplifiers 89
Lightning Arrestors 89
Splitters 90
Exam Preparation Tasks 91
Review All the Key Topics 91
Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 91
Definition of Key Terms 91
References in This Chapter 92
Chapter 6 Overview of the 802.11 WLAN Protocols 95
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 95
Foundation Topics 100
The 802.11 Protocol Family Overview 100
The Original 802.11 Protocol 100
The 802.11b Protocol 100
The 802.11g Protocol 101
How 802.11g Interacts with 802.11b 102
The 802.11a Protocol 106
802.11a Power Requirements 107
The 802.11n Protocol 108
Sending Frames 109
Antenna Considerations 109
Exam Preparation Tasks 110
Review All Key Concepts 110
Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 110
Definition of Key Terms 110
End Notes 110
Chapter 7 Wireless Traffic Flow and AP Discovery 113
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 113
Foundation Topics 116
Wireless Frame Transmission 116
Wireless Frame Types 116
Sending a Frame 116
Wireless Frame Headers 118
Frame Types 120
Management Frames 121
Control Frames 123
Power Save Mode and Frame Types 124
Frame Speeds 125
A Wireless Connection 125
Exam Preparation Tasks 129
Review All the Key Concepts 129
Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 129
Definition of Key Terms 129
Chapter 8 Additional Wireless Technologies 131
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 131
Foundation Topics 134
Cordless Phones 134
Bluetooth 135
ZigBee 135
WiMax 138
Other Types of Interference 140
Exam Preparation Tasks 141
Review All the Key Topics 141
Definition of Key Terms 141
Endnotes 141
References in This Chapter 141
Chapter 9 Delivering Packets from the Wireless to Wired Network 143
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 143
Foundation Topics 147
The Wireless Network Road Trip 147
The Association Process 147
Sending to a Host on Another Subnet 148
Using VLANs to Add Control 153
VLAN Membership Modes 154
Configuring VLANs and Trunks 155
Creating VLANs 156
Assigning Ports to a VLAN 158
Creating Trunk Ports 159
Exam Preparation Tasks 162
Review All the Key Topics 162
Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 162
Definition of Key Terms 163
Command References to Check Your Memory 163
End Notes 163
Part II Cisco Wireless LANs 164
Chapter 10 Cisco Wireless Networks Architecture 167
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 167
Foundation Topics 171
The Need for Centralized Control 171
The Cisco Solution 171
APs in the CUWN 172
WLCs in the CUWN 172
Features of the Cisco Controllers 172
Supporting Multiple Networks 173
The CUWN Architecture 174
Client Devices 176
Access Points 176
The 1130AG 177
The 1240AG 178
The 1250 Series AP 178
The 1300 Series AP/Bridge 179
The 1400 Series Wireless Bridge 180
Cisco Access Point Summary 180
Wireless LAN Controllers 181
The Cisco 44xx Series WLC 182
The 3750-G WLC 182
The Cisco 2106 WLC 183
The Cisco WLCM 184
Wireless LAN Controller Summary 185
Wireless Network Management 185
Exam Preparation Tasks 187
Review All the Key Topics 187
Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 187
Definition of Key Terms 187
References 187
Chapter 11 Controller Discovery and Association 189
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 189
Foundation Topics 192
Understanding the Different LWAPP Modes 192
LWAPP Layer 2 Transport Mode 193
LWAPP Layer 3 Transport Mode 194
How an LWAPP AP Discovers a Controller 196
How an LWAPP AP Chooses a Controller and Joins It 197
How an LWAPP AP Receives Its Configuration 200
Redundancy for APs and Controllers 201
The AP Is Joined, Now What? 202
Local Mode 203
Monitor Mode 203
Sniffer Mode 203
Rogue Detection Mode 203
H-REAP Mode 204
Bridge Mode 204
Exam Preparation Tasks 205
Review All the Key Topics 205
Definition of Key Terms 205
Chapter 12 Adding Mobility with Roaming 207
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 207
Foundation Topics 210
Understanding Roaming 210
Understanding Mobility Groups 210
Types of Roaming 212
The Layer 2 Roaming Process 215
The Layer 3 Roaming Process 216
Exam Preparation Tasks 221
Review All the Key Topics 221
Definition of Key Terms 221
Chapter 13 Simple Network Configuration and Monitoring with the Cisco
Controller 223
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 223
Foundation Topics 228
Controller Terminology 228
Dynamic Interfaces 228
Static Interfaces 229
Connecting to the Controller 230
Controller Boot Sequence 230
Performing Initial CLI Configurations 232
Performing Initial Web Configurations 235
Navigating the Web Interface of the Controller 235
Configuring the Controller Using the Web Interface 238
Building the Controller Interface 238
Creating the WLAN and Tying It to the Interface 240
Modifying the Security Settings 242
Naming Access Points 243
Restricting Access to Access Points 245
Summary of Controller Configuration Using the Web Interface 247
Monitoring with the Controller 247
General Monitoring 248
Managing Rogue APs 253
Managing Clients 256
Using Internal DHCP 257
Exam Preparation Tasks 259
Review All the Key Topics 259
Definition of Key Terms 259
Chapter 14 Migrating Standalone APs to LWAPP 261
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 261
Foundation Topics 264
Connecting to a Standalone AP 264
Accessing the AP in Autonomous Mode 264
Using the Express Setup and Express Security for Basic Configuration 265
Working with the Web Interface 267
Converting to LWAPP 269
Converting to LWAPP Using the IOS-to-LWAPP Conversion Utility 269
Exam Preparation Tasks 275
Review All the Key Topics 275
Definition of Key Terms 275
Chapter 15 Cisco Mobility Express 277
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 277
Foundation Topics 280
Overview of the Small Business Communication System 280
521 AP 281
526 Wireless Express Controller 281
Comparing the Cisco Mobility Express Architecture to the CUWN
282
Configuring the 521 AP and 526 Controller 282
Using the CLI to Configure the Controller 282
Using the Web Browser to Configure the Controller 287
Using the Cisco Configuration Assistant 288
Exam Preparation Tasks 292
Review All the Key Topics 292
Definition of Key Terms 292
References 292
Chapter 16 Wireless Clients 295
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 295
Foundation Topics 298
Using Windows to Connect to a Wireless LAN 298
Configuring a Profile 298
How the WZC Tool Works 300
Using a Mac to Connect to a Wireless LAN 301
Configuring a Profile 301
How the AirPort Extreme Tool Works 302
Using Linux to Connect to a Wireless LAN 304
Configuring a Profile 305
How the NetworkManager Tool Works 306
Using the ADU to Connect to a Wireless LAN 307
Cisco Wireless LAN Adapters 307
Installing the ADU 308
Configuring a Profile 310
Connecting to Preferred Networks 311
Manually Creating a Profile 312
Managing Profiles 315
Using Diagnostic Tools 315
The ACAU 319
The Cisco Secure Services Client 320
Licensing 320
Installation 321
Configuring Profiles 321
SSC Groups 322
SSCAU Overview 322
The Cisco Client Extension Program 322
Exam Preparation Tasks 323
Review All the Key Topics 323
Complete the Tables and Lists from Memeory 323
Definition of Key Terms 323
Part III WLAN Maintenance and Administration 324
Chapter 17 Securing the Wireless Network 327
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 327
Foundation Topics 331
Threats to Wireless Networks 331
Ad Hoc Networks 331
Rogue APs 331
Client Misassociation 331
Management Frame Protection 332
Wireless Attacks 332
Simple Authentications 334
Open Authentication 334
Preshared Key Authentication with Wired Equivalent Privacy 334
MAC Address Filtering 336
Centralized Authentication 336
802.1x and How It Is Used 338
The EAP Process 340
The Authentication Server 340
EAP-TLS 342
EAP-FAST 343
PEAP 344
LEAP 345
Authentication and Encryption 345
WPA Overview 346
WPA2 Overview 347
Exam Preparation Tasks 350
Review All the Key Topics 350
Complete the Tables and Lists from Memeory 350
Definition of Key Terms 351
References 351
Chapter 18 Enterprise Wireless Management with the WCS and the Location
Appliance 353
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 353
Foundation Topics 358
Introduction to the WCS 358
Installing and Configuring the WCS 358
Administration Options in the WCS 360
Adding Controllers to the WCS 362
Working with Templates 364
Auto Provisioning 367
Maps and APs in the WCS 368
Planning Mode 372
Monitoring with the WCS 376
Exam Preparation Tasks 378
Review All the Key Topics 378
Complete the Tables and Lists from Memeory 378
Definition of Key Terms 379
References 379
Chapter 19 Maintaining Wireless Networks 381
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 381
Foundation Topics 386
Upgrading a Controller 386
Controller Upgrade Approaches 388
Upgrade Using WCS 390
Upgrading an AP 391
Upgrading WCS 392
Managing Configurations 392
Working with AP Configuration Files 398
Resetting the Controller to the Defaults 398
Exam Preparation Tasks 400
Review All the Key Topics 400
Definition of Key Terms 400
References 400
Chapter 20 Troubleshooting Wireless Networks 403
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 403
Foundation Topics 408
Physical Connections and LEDs 408
Common Client-Side Issues 408
Using the CLI to Troubleshoot 410
Using the Controller Interface 417
Using the Controller Logs 418
Using SNMP 420
Configuring the Community Strings 421
Using Tech Support 422
Using WCS Version 5.x to Troubleshoot Clients 423
Using the Cisco Spectrum Expert 423
Exam Preparation Tasks 426
Review All the Key Topics 426
Complete the Tables and Lists from Memeory 426
Definition of Key Terms 427
References 427
Part IV Final Preparation 428
Chapter 21 Final Preparation 431
Tools for Final Preparation 431
Exam Engine and Questions on the CD 431
Install the Software from the CD 432
Activate and Download the Practice Exam 432
Activating Other Exams 433
Cisco Learning Network 433
Study Plan 433
Recall the Facts 434
Practice Configurations 434
Use the Exam Engine 435
Choosing Study or Simulation Mode 435
Passing Scores for the Cisco CCNA Wireless Exams 435
Part V Appendixes 436
Appendix A Answers to the “Do I Know This Already?” Quizzes 438
Appendix B Memory Tables (on the CD only)
Appendix C Memory Tables Answer Key (on the CD only)
Glossary 450
Index 464
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