Certified Wireless Analysis Professional

Description

This WiFi analysis course consists of hands-on
learning using the latest enterprise wireless LAN
analysis and troubleshooting tools. The course takes an
in-depth look at the functionality of WLANs, intended
operation of the 802.11 protocol and Wi-Fi Alliance
specifications, WLAN frame formatting and structure,
troubleshooting methodology, and protocol analysis. It
also includes extensive training in modern spectrum
analysis with a focus on advanced RF behaviour
analysis, data collection methods, interpreting spectrum
plots and charts, and understanding advanced features
of WLAN spectrum analysers.

What will you learn

CWAP training course details

Technical Network Staff Anyone looking to become a CWAP

Certified Wireless Network Administrator

4 days

Principles of WLAN Communication

802.11 Working Group, OSI reference model and the 802.11 PHY
and MAC, Communication sublayers and data units, WLAN
architecture components, Organization of station forwarding
Addressing and internetworking operation, Modern WLAN product
architectures.

Physical (PHY) and MAC Layer Formats and Technologies

Physical layer functions, Preamble function and format, Header
purpose and structure, Analysis of PHY problems, Physical PPDU
formats, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11n, MAC frame
components, MAC encapsulation, Fields and subfields of the MAC
header, Frame Control, Frame types and subtypes and their uses,
Addressing, Frame body, Data frame format, Control frame format,
Management frame format, Information elements and fields.

Beaconing and synchronization

Scanning, Client state machine, 802.11 contention, QoS,
Admission control, Band steering and airtime fairness mechanisms
Fragmentation, Acknowledgments and Block acknowledgments,
Protection mechanisms and backward compatibility, Power
management, Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) and Transmit
Power Control (TPC), Security components, methods, and
exchanges, Roaming procedures exchanges, Future protocol
enhancements.

802.11n

Transmit beamforming, Spatial multiplexing, Maximal Ratio
Combining (MRC), Space-Time Block Coding, 40 MHz channels,
Frame aggregation, HT-OFDM format, Modulation and Coding
Schemes (MCS), HT frame formatting and more.

Protocol Analysis Tools and Methodology

Troubleshooting methodology, Protocol analyser types, Analysis
NIC/adapter selection and constraints, Interpreting results based
on location, Analyzer settings and features, Filtering and channel
scanning, Interpreting decodes, Using advanced analysis features,
Assessing WLAN health and behaviour factors, Evaluating network
statistics, Troubleshooting common problems, Wired analysis to
support wireless network issues.

Spectrum Analysis Tools and Methodology

Radio frequency behaviour review, Visualizing RF domains using
spectrum measurement tools, Spectrum analyser types and
operation, Analyser specifications and characteristics,
Understanding spectrum data presentation, Interpreting plots and
charts, Common WLAN spectrum analyser features, Identifying
transmit patterns, Device classification and network impact,
Recognizing transmit signatures.

Wireshark Setup, Use, and In-Depth Analysis
Wireshark is fundamental to troubleshooting. Labs include:

- Capabilities, configuration, and data display

- Opening, collecting, saving, and modifying capture files.

- Filtering traffic, and using colouring rules as analysis aides.

- Live captures based on a set of desired collection criteria.

- Identify and isolate network problems.

- Conversation analysis.

- Remote packet capture with an AP.

Understanding Frame Components
Familiarity with the frame structure and contents is essential in real
-world troubleshooting efforts. Labs include:

- Understanding the MAC header

- Comparing the three major frame types and their subtypes

- Analysing frame formats of individual frame types

- Analysing 802.11n frame components

- Additional information is reported by protocol analysers

- Information not visible in protocol analysers

Frame Exchanges
Understanding frame exchange rules and behaviors is critical to
identifying expected and unexpected. It is also necessary to
understand what is normal so that aberrations can be properly
troubleshot. Labs include:

- Connectivity exchanges and sequences

- Legacy and modern security exchanges

- ERP and HT protection mechanisms

- Power save behaviour

- Acknowledgments, block acknowledgments, and
supporting action frames

- Dynamic rate switching

- Band steering

Troubleshooting Common Problems This lab exposes students
to hands-on troubleshooting skills by setting up common problems
in WLANs and allowing students to attempt to solve them.

- Trouleshooting connectivity exchanges

- Troubleshooting 802.1X and EAP exchanges
- Troubleshooting roaming

Spectrum Analyzer Setup, Use, and In-Depth Analysis
Specifically, it will explore the plots and charts used to display
spectrum data and how to interpret this data to define a
transmitter's impact on the network. The following are covered:

- Installing the analyser and using display and navigation

- The 'RF perspective' provided by each plot and chart

- Using built-in features and automated device identification

- Characterizing the behaviours of an interference source

- Assessing the impact of an interference source

- Determining the impact of transmitter proximity on
interference.

- Identifying signatures of common transmitters

- Remote spectrum analysis with an AP