CWNP - Going for it.

Author

Going for it.

RJPilot

2003-06-27, 4:25 pm

Greetings all.

I just finished skimming the vast majority of the threads and I must say I'm half excited but yet half apprehensive about taking this exam.

In addition to being an airline pilot, I also work for a wireless integrator. As a sales rep I feel it's important to be fluent with the technology and thus I have signed up for a "boot camp" that'll take place at the end of July. I hope to take the exam (CWNA and Cisco Wireless LAN Support Specialist) in the first week of August.

Though I don't have a networking background, I have been using computers since 1980 (I remember loading Star Trek from a tape onto a TRS-80 while watching Reagan take his oath of office..ok, so that was Jan. '81).

Since I like to think I'm smarter than the average bear (you don't fly a 22 million dollar jet being an idiot) I decided to "go for it."

Here is what I'm using for my studies:

- The CWNE Study Guide (Version I)
- Some NetWork+ study guides
- Unger's Deploying Unlicened...etc
- Cisco Wireless Lan
- Hack Proofing Your Wireless Network

Is this the right track? Is this too much? Should I focus on one or two of these? Do I need to purchase the new version of the CWNE Study Guide? Oh, and of course I'm reviewing all of the links you folks have kindly referenced. Thank you very much.

Obviously this is a lot of material and I'm reading like crazy. This is nothing new to me, I've taken about...oh about 8 or 9 FAA exams so I'm familiar with the process.

I am concerned however about the complaints about the questions. But it appears from some recent posts that they have been improved. I hope so...there is nothing worse than bad questions (and the FAA has had them as well).

Devinator...I must disagree with you on the inability to go back and review questions. I don't know about other certification exams, but the FAA allowed this. People are known to have brainfarts and should have the ability to go back. I don't know about the others, but I'm spending my own funds on this and I don't like the possiblity of failing an exam due to this (though I won't loose and sleep over it).

So...after reviewing my post...I noticed I don't have much of a point other than to say....I'm new to the technology and will be asking for some assistance from you experts. I assume you wouldn't mind if I ask some technical questions. Then hopefully I'll have something to offer the new people who join the group.

Thanks for reading this long post.

RJ

isles1

2003-06-27, 5:05 pm

How about I tell you what I know about the exam and you spot me a few flight training hours?

In all honesty, the CWNA Official Guide is enough for this test. Just read it over a few times, and supplement any fuzzy areas with some of the documents you listed.

I used a book "802.11 Wireless Networks: The Definative Guide," by M. Gest to supplement my studies, but in hindsight, it was not needed.

Just be very comfortable with RF, especially the math, and know the different wireless technologies out there.

Be careful on the new CWNA 2.0 exam because you are not able to go back and review you answers. Work steadily and carefully; 90 questions in 90 minutes.

Your flight training (ground school) may have given you some relevant RF knowledge, so some of your books may cover some topics as well.

Good luck!

meijin

2003-06-27, 5:08 pm

RJ:

Are you talking about taking the Cisco WLANFE test? If so, here are a few points about it:

#1. Do you already have your CCNA? If not, you won't get the certification from Cisco. A CCNA is required for the WLANFE and a CCDA is required for the WLANDE.

#2. Get the Syngress book "Building Cisco Wireless LANs". Be sure to know what all of the LEDs on the different components mean. What color means what and what it means if it is blinking or flashing.

#3. Get the Boson test engine for the test and go through it. They ask some really wierd questions on the test that are covered well enough in the Boson material for you to rtecognize them. Trust me on this one. I would not have passed the WLANFE test without that!

#4. Read the questions very, VERY carefully. They give you questions about how to accomplish a particular task. Do NOT be afraid of the option that says "It cannot be done".

Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll try to help out as much as possible.

HTH!

RJPilot

2003-06-28, 10:43 am

Isles1 and meijin…

Thank you for responding.

Isles1…

Tell you what…if I ever get to a point where I can afford an airplane, I’ll fly over and we’ll go for the “$100 hamburger” (though with the plane I want, it’ll be more like the $500 hamburger) in exchange for your help during this process.

OK, so, as long as I have read and understood the official study guide, I should pass the test? Do you recall anything on the test that wasn’t covered in the study guide? Thank you for mentioning the other 802.11 book. I may pick it up after completing this exam.

I’m quite confident I’ll get the RF fundamentals without much of a problem, it’s all the security and basic-network stuff that might be more challenging.

Speaking of which, the outfit that will provide my training sent me Network+ study information and told me to read it and to put away the CCNA book that I was then reading. Do you agree I ought to know the Network+ stuff instead of CCNA? Do I need to spend a boatload of time on the Network+ stuff to pass this exam?

Thanks.

Meijim (aka Michael?)

I believe that is the exam I’m suppose to be trained for in addition to the CWNA. If so, then I need not worry about it since I do not have my CCNA. I’ll ask you the same question as above…I was told to read the Network+ study guide instead of the CCNA book I had. Do you agree with that (for the purpose of passing the CWNA)?

The outfit providing my training sent me “Building Cisco Wireless LANs” and “Hack Proofing Your Wireless Network.” I would assume these two books are more for the Cisco exam as opposed to the CWNA? IYO, how important is it I have these books read for the CWNA? Thanks for the tip on the blinking lights. I hate blinking lights…in the cockpit—during flight—that usually means I’m going to be real busy real soon.

I have the Boson test questions for the CWNA. Are they different for the Cisco certification? Did you (assuming you used it) find the Boson test question helpful for the CWNA exam? It seems—from some of the posts—that some people did not.

I agree I need to RTFQ…I learned that numerous times with FAA exams. I’ve caught myself a few times with the review questions at the end of the chapters.

Thanks again for the help.

I may have some technical questions shortly.

RJ

meijin

2003-06-28, 11:07 am

RJ:

Yep, it's Michael...or Mike if you prefer. I get and answer to both.

First off, if your "traditional" networking skills are weak, then the Network+ information will do you more good than the CCNA information. The Network+ is designed to be entry level and vendor neutral. The CCNA expects a certain level of knowledge in regards to networks or networking and then, obviously, is very specific to Cisco routers and switches.

Sections of the "Building Cisco Wireless LANs" will serve you well. Concentrate on the more general aspects. You mentioned that security is not a strong point with you, so the "Hacking Proofing Your Wireless LAN" might serve you good as well.

Biggest thing I would say is take the questions in the official study guide and the Boson (I used that as well) and be honest with yourself. This will help figure out where you are weakest in terms of topics or categories. After that, use all of the other material to cover those areas. Know what I mean?

I took v1.0 of the test and not v2.0. But, I think that approach will work ok for you.

If you are getting into the sales area and need to talk technical, can I make a suggestion? Learn the network side. Learn it well enough to get at least the Network+ if not the CCNA as well. You are going to need that level of knowledge to deal with the more stubborn folks. And if you are going to be pushing Cisco product, then really go for the CCNA and the WLANFE. It will be worth your time and your money to do it.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

HTH!

isles1

2003-06-28, 4:09 pm

RJ:

I would agree with Michael that the Network+ book and/or certification would be a good knowledge base for the CWNA, as well as the Cisco certs. that are on the horizon for you.

I do not know much about the Cisco certs other than I would like to pursue at least the CCNA after I get past the CWSP and the MCSA. Trying to be as well-rounded as possible.

I cannot think of (or remember) anything that was on my exam that was not covered in the Official Guide. Then again, I took the v1.0 so the new exam may present a different situation for you.

As for wireless security books you have, stick with the general stuff (maybe the first few chapters) rather than getting into the specifics. It is not needed for the CWNA, but if you are going to study for the Cisco exam basically at the same time, I am sure it will not hurt.

Shoot me over your e-mail address because I have some materials that will likely help you on the exam.

isleshockey@hotmail.com

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