Author Interview: Tom Carpenter
Coauthor: CWNA Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide, 4th Edition

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GoCertify: What are the major topics covered by the CWNA certification and which receive the greatest focus?

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Tom Carpenter: Radio frequency technologies and IEEE 802.11 network implementation making up the bulk of the exam (approximately 42%). In addition to these two topics, wireless network security, RF site surveys and IEEE 802.11 protocols and devices make up approximately 46% of the exam. The final 12% is dedicated to regulations and standards. This breakdown is provided in the Introduction to the CWNA study guide as well as the most recent version of the full objectives. Certainly, a candidate needs to understand the basics of Radio Frequency (RF) behavior and engineering as well as the specific implantation or wireless communications provided in the IEEE 802.11 standards as amended.

GoCertify: How long should someone plan on preparing before they will be ready to attempt the exam?

Tom Carpenter: If the candidate is completely new to wireless networking, I would suggest a preparation time of between three and six months. Of course, this assumes that the candidate is preparing in his or her spare time. Even an individual completely new to wireless networking could prepare in one or two months, if preparation was a full time job. Someone who has been working in the wireless industry for more than a year could likely prepare by attending an authorized class and using the official study guide or by using the official study guide with 30-40 hours of hands-on practice in the areas of configuration in relation to both network access and network security.

GoCertify: Will exam candidates need other materials in addition to your book in order to successfully prepare for the CWNA exam? If so, what are they and where can they get them?

Tom Carpenter: In addition to the book, candidates should download the IEEE 802.11 standard documents and use them as a reference during their study. Additionally and particularly so if the candidates cannot get hands-on experience with wireless LAN switches, they should download the documentation for two or three wireless LAN switches from different vendors and read through the configuration and feature guides. Finally, be sure to download the most recent version of the CWNP Rosetta Stone. It is included in the book, but changes may be made and you will want to review the most current version before taking the exam. You can search the CWNP forums for more information.

GoCertify: In your book, you have an appendix called "The CWNP Rosetta Stone." What is this and why is it important?

Tom Carpenter: The wireless industry is very confusing from a terminology perspective. The IEEE 802.11 standards will use a particular term or phrase for a technology and then vendors will often coin new phrases for the same or similar technology. This is often done for differentiation purposes from a branding perspective, but vendors also suggest they do it because their technology differs in significant ways from the simplicity of the standard or their competitor’s products. For this reason, the CWNP program has developed the Rosetta Stone document. It is a document that defines the terms that will be used on the exam for certain wireless networking technologies are hardware. For example. Dynamic Rate Switching is the phrase used to refer to the data rate adjustment that is made as the RF signal strength is weakened – usually while the client device is moving farther away from the access point. This phrase is pulled directly from the IEEE standards. Many vendors use the phrases Automatic Rate Switching or Dynamic Rate Selection. As you can see, the Rosetta Stone allows the candidate to be tested on his or her knowledge of the “concept” rather than the varied industry terms or phrases.

GoCertify: What advantages does your book gain from being an "official" and "authorized" study guide that other study guides do not?

Tom Carpenter: I am able to work very closely with the CWNP program. Of course, I do not have access to the pool of test questions and I have no insider information at all as it relates directly to the questions. This is very important to me and to the integrity of the CWNP program. However, I am able to have a better sense of the direction of the program because of my relationship with McGraw-Hill and the CWNP organization (Planet3 Wireless). This allows me to provide coverage on topics that may not be included in the exam today, but could be in the future. Additionally, the contacts provided by the CWNP staff such as Criss Hyde, the world’s best technical editor, and Joel Barrett, an amazing technical well and representative of one of the largest wireless vendors in the world, have helped take this book to the next level.

GoCertify: What other advice do you have for people preparing to take the CWNA exam?

Tom Carpenter: Make sure you know the standards. This is what you will be tested on. As you take the time to get hands-on experience with hardware, continually ask this question, “How is this device operating according to the standards?” and, “What features does this device have that are not in accordance with the standards?” This will help you in the real world too, but it will ensure that you are focusing on the standards more than anything else. The individuals who do the best on the CWNA and CWSP exams are those who know both the study guides and the standards well. Good luck!

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