Back to Search Results

Training Course Summary:

On completing this course, you will be able to:

Support users of 802.11 (Wi-Fi) wireless networks.
Understand and explain a wide range of Wireless LAN concepts and termology.
Understand the role of all major wireless LAN components.
Understand essential Radio Frequency (RF) concepts and terminology.
Understand and explain the operation of 802.11 (Wi-Fi) wireless LANs.
Install, configure and test wireless LAN client hardware and software.
Correctly configure client-side security using WEP, WPA-PSK, WPA-EAP, 802.1X/EAP, Cisco LEAP, EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, and Protected EAP (PEAP).
Diagnose and troubleshoot problems with 802.11 wireless networks

Pre-Requisites:

Prior to attending the course, delegates must have fundamental understanding of Ethernet LANs and TCP/IP protocols. Practical experience with Microsoft Windows 2000 or Windows XP is also required.

Training Course Overview/Content:

Essential 802.11 Wireless LAN Concepts
The roles of Wireless LANs
Access Points
Infrastructure vs Peer-Peer WLANs
Service Sets
SSID
The broadcast SSID
BSSID
Distribution System
ESS and ESSID
IEEE 802.11 standards
802.11, 802.11b
802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11h
802.11b/g mixed mode
Dual- and Tri-mode WLAN adapters
Dual- and Tri-mode Wireless networks
RF bands, data rates, ranges
Client devices and accessories


Understanding Wireless Client Hardware and Software
The Client Manager
Microsoft Windows operating system components
Adapter driver
Adapter firmware
USB driver
USB firmware


Understanding More about 802.11 Wireless Networks
The Wi-Fi Alliance
Wi-Fi Alliance standards
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
IEEE 802.11i
Wireless Bridges
Wireless Workgroup Bridges
Wireless Repeaters
Wireless Routers
Wireless Residential Gateways
Enterprise Wireless Gateways
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
Example WLAN vendors
Intel Centrino, Cisco CCX
VoWi-Fi systems


Radio Frequency (RF) Essentials
What are radio waves?
Frequency, wavelength, power
RF frequencies and bands
Overview of RF propagation
Loss, Attenuation
What is multipath?
Antenna types
Gain
Areas of RF coverage
Antenna components and accessories
Cables and connector types
Impedance
VSWR
Signal Power levels
The dB concept
dBm
UK signal power levels
Noise level
What is SNR?
What is RSSI?
What is DSSS?
What is OFDM?
DSSS and OFDM channels

How Wireless LANs Operate
Wireless Clients
Wireless Client profiles
Configuring a Wireless Client profile
Joining a wireless LAN
Scanning for networks
Beacons
Broadcasting the SSID
Passive scanning
Active scanning
Authentication
Association
Frame forwarding
Roaming
Wireless LAN configuration - good working practices
Wireless LAN configuration - bad working practices
Example misconfigurations
Power Management

Essential 802.11 WLAN Security Concepts
The need for:
- Authentication
- Encryption
- Message Integrity
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
Understanding WEP keys
What happens when WEP is incorrectly configured?
Top security issues with Wireless LANs
Example wardriving tools: NetStumbler
MAC address filtering
What is IEEE 802.1X?
What is EAP?
What is Cisco LEAP?
What is TKIP?
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) version 1
What is PEAP?
What is AES?
The dangers of Rogue wireless equipment and Rogue wireless LANs
Identifying and dealing with Rogue wireless equipment and networks


Diagnosing and Troubleshooting Problems with 802.11 Wireless Networks
Taking a wireless user problem report
Extracting the information you need from the user
Extracting information from other sources
Correlating events and conditions
Common problems with 802.11 Wireless LANs
A step-by-step troubleshooting guide
Client-side diagnostic tools
Obtaining Access Point diagnostics