Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA)

Did you know that organizations upgrading to WPA3-secured Wi-Fi networks report up to a 35% improvement in network efficiency and zero data breaches post-deployment? The Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) course delivers comprehensive, hands-on expertise in enterprise Wi-Fi administration, enabling professionals to master WPA3 security, 802.11 protocols, RF management, and network optimization while driving digital transformation across healthcare, IoT, and enterprise environments.

Course Overview

The Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) program by Rcademy is meticulously designed to equip network administrators and systems engineers with comprehensive knowledge and advanced skills needed for wireless LAN deployment, management, and security. This comprehensive program delves into core wireless methodologies, providing participants with a robust understanding of 802.11 standards, RF technologies, antenna theory, and security frameworks, ensuring mastery of secure WLAN operations across enterprise and mission-critical environments.

Without specialized CWNA training, IT professionals may struggle to implement WPA3-Enterprise security, optimize Wi-Fi 6 performance, or troubleshoot complex RF interference issues, which are essential for modern wireless infrastructure. The program’s structured curriculum ensures participants gain proficiency in configuring, managing, monitoring, and troubleshooting wireless networks, preparing them for real-world deployment challenges in healthcare, IoT, and high-density enterprise settings.

The Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) course provides a comprehensive framework covering 802.11 wireless LAN standards, RF technologies, antenna theory, network architectures, and enterprise security. Participants will master comprehensive knowledge of 802.11 standards and protocols, develop professional-level skills in deploying and managing wireless networks, build expertise in RF propagation and modulation, understand antenna types and configurations for coverage optimization, implement secure networks using WPA2, WPA3, and 802.1X/EAP, design and validate networks using site survey methodologies, apply QoS mechanisms for voice and video applications, troubleshoot complex issues using systematic methodologies, and prepare for advanced CWNP certifications.

Research shows organizations who implement wireless administration training gain significant advantages through secure WPA3 deployments, as demonstrated by Charité Hospital’s integration of legacy medical devices into a WPA3-Enterprise network using secure TLS encryption that improved IoT device availability and patient data protection, and Johns Hopkins Hospital’s phased WPA3 migration with 192-bit encryption and Management Frame Protection that strengthened cyber resilience while maintaining clinical uptime.

Studies show individuals who complete CWNA training benefit from mastery in secure WPA3 enterprise deployment, acquiring insights into transition-mode configurations and authentication handshake protection that enable compliant migrations under HIPAA and GDPR, with proficiency in device compatibility and IoT security handling from real-world hospital implementations that prepare specialists for mixed Wi-Fi environments, and real-world understanding of WPA3 and Wi-Fi 6 integration that balances performance, energy efficiency, and end-to-end encryption for future-ready secure networks.

Take charge of your wireless administration expertise. Enroll now in the Rcademy Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) course to master the competencies that drive next-generation WLAN security and accelerate your professional advancement.

Who Should Attend?

The Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) course by Rcademy is ideal for:

• Network administrators responsible for wireless LAN deployment and management
• Systems engineers and infrastructure professionals implementing enterprise Wi-Fi
• Technical support specialists and field engineers troubleshooting wireless networks
• Network designers and architects planning WLAN infrastructure
• IT consultants and integrators deploying multi-vendor wireless solutions
• Security administrators implementing wireless security policies
• Wireless developers working on hardware and software products
• Infrastructure decision-makers evaluating wireless technologies
• Cloud network engineers managing hybrid connectivity
• Government IT professionals securing public sector networks
• Academic researchers in wireless communications
• Technical leads in digital transformation initiatives
• Healthcare IT specialists managing clinical connectivity
• Retail network managers overseeing POS and guest Wi-Fi
• Educational institution network administrators

Certification Prerequisites and Exam Requirements

Before enrolling in the Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) course, participants should possess a fundamental understanding of networking concepts and basic 802.11 wireless principles. Though not mandatory, completing the Certified Wireless Technician (CWT) or Certified Wireless Specialist (CWS) certifications is highly recommended to build a strong foundation in wireless fundamentals.

Please note that completion of the CWNA training does not automatically confer certification. To earn the CWNA credential, participants must appear for and pass the official CWNA certification exam, which is administered globally through Prometric Testing Centers. This exam validates the learner’s proficiency in enterprise Wi-Fi administration and is a prerequisite for advanced CWNP certifications, including CWSP, CWDP, CWAP, and CWNE.

Detailed exam information, including scheduling, delivery modes, and global testing access, can be found on the official Prometric CWNP Exam Portal.

Certification is officially awarded only after successfully passing the exam, highlighting the importance of gaining both theoretical and practical mastery through this Rcademy training program before attempting the global certification assessment.

What are the Training Goals?

The main objectives of the Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) course by Rcademy are to enable professionals to:

• Master 802.11 wireless LAN standards, protocols, and operational principles
• Develop skills in deploying, configuring, managing, and monitoring wireless networks
• Build expertise in RF technologies including propagation, modulation, and signal strength
• Understand antenna theory, types, and configurations for coverage optimization
• Implement secure networks using WPA2, WPA3, 802.1X/EAP, and enterprise architectures
• Design and validate networks using site survey, predictive modeling, and testing
• Apply QoS mechanisms and network optimization for voice, video, and data
• Troubleshoot complex wireless issues using spectrum and protocol analysis tools
• Prepare for professional certifications including CWDP, CWAP, CWSP, and CWNE
• Conduct passive and active site surveys for network validation
• Optimize channel planning and transmit power settings
• Diagnose hidden node, co-channel interference, and roaming issues
• Configure APs for local or centralized forwarding modes
• Implement rogue AP detection and mitigation strategies
• Balance security and performance in high-density environments
• Support IoT and BYOD deployments with proper segmentation

How Will This Training Course Be Presented?

At Rcademy, the extensive focus is laid on the relevance of the training content to the audience. Thus, content is reviewed and customised as per the professional backgrounds of the audience.

The training framework includes:

• Expert-led lectures delivered by experienced wireless professionals using audio-visual presentations
• Interactive practical training ensured through sample assignments or projects and network simulations
• Trainee participation encouraged through hands-on activities that reinforce theoretical concepts
• Case studies featuring real-world wireless administration challenges
• Best practice sharing sessions where participants discuss network security experiences

The theoretical part of training is delivered by an experienced professional from the relevant domain, using audio-visual presentations. This immersive approach fosters practical skill development and real-world application of wireless administration principles through comprehensive coverage of WPA3 security, RF mathematics, and site survey execution.

This theoretical-cum-practical model ensures participants gain both foundational knowledge and practical skills needed for effective wireless network administration and optimization excellence.

Register now to experience a truly engaging, participant-focused learning journey designed to equip you for success in next-generation wireless security and performance.

Course Syllabus

Module 1: WLAN and Networking Industry Organizations

• Role of standards organizations in wireless networking
• IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and 802.11 Working Group
• Wi-Fi Alliance: certification programs and interoperability testing
• IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) protocol development
• ITU-R (International Telecommunication Union – Radiocommunication Sector)
• FCC (Federal Communications Commission) regulatory authority
• ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute)
• Other regional regulatory bodies and their impact
• Understanding compliance requirements and regional variations​

Module 2: RF Characteristics and Behavior

• Fundamentals of electromagnetic waves and radio frequency theory
• Radio wave propagation principles
• Frequency, wavelength, amplitude, and phase relationships
• Carrier signals and modulation techniques
• RF behaviors: absorption, reflection, refraction, diffraction, and scattering
• Multipath and delay spread effects
• Fresnel Zone concepts and clearance requirements
• Free Space Path Loss (FSPL) fundamentals
• Indoor vs. outdoor RF propagation characteristics
• RF interference types and sources
• Adjacent-channel and co-channel interference
• Non-Wi-Fi interference: Bluetooth, microwave ovens, cordless phones, video cameras
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and Receive Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)​

Module 3: RF Mathematics and Measurements

• Decibel (dB) fundamentals and calculations
• Absolute power measurements: dBm, dBi, dBd
• Relative power measurements and comparisons
• RF system gain and loss calculations
• Link budget analysis and System Operating Margin (SOM)
• Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP) calculations
• Intentional Radiator (IR) power levels
• Understanding milliwatts (mW) and watt conversions
• Rule of 10s and 3s for quick calculations
• Noise floor and sensitivity measurements​

Module 4: RF Antennas and Hardware

• Antenna fundamentals and radiation patterns
• Isotropic radiator vs. real-world antennas
• Antenna gain: dBi and dBd measurements
• Omnidirectional antennas and applications
• Semi-directional antennas: patch and panel antennas
• Highly directional antennas: parabolic dish, grid, and Yagi
• Beamwidth: horizontal and vertical planes
• Azimuth and elevation charts interpretation
• Antenna polarization: linear and circular
• Visual Line of Sight (LOS) vs. RF Line of Sight
• Antenna diversity and MIMO antenna systems
• Antenna cables, connectors, and accessories
• Cable attenuation and connector loss
• Lightning protection and grounding
• Regulatory compliance: antenna gain limits and EIRP restrictions​

Module 5: 802.11 PHYs and Network Types

• Original 802.11 standards: FHSS, DSSS, and IR
• 802.11b: HR-DSSS (High Rate Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum)
• 802.11a: OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) in 5 GHz
• 802.11g: ERP-OFDM and backward compatibility with 802.11b
• 802.11n: High Throughput (HT) with MIMO and channel bonding
• 802.11ac: Very High Throughput (VHT) with MU-MIMO and wider channels
• 802.11ax: High Efficiency (HE) with OFDMA, BSS coloring, and Target Wake Time
• 802.11be: Wi-Fi 7 Extremely High Throughput (EHT) overview
• Frequency bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz (Wi-Fi 6E)
• Channel width: 20, 40, 80, 160, and 320 MHz channels
• Non-overlapping channels and channel planning
• Modulation and Coding Schemes (MCS) rates
• Data rates and throughput capabilities
• WLAN network types: IBSS, BSS, ESS, and MBSS​

Module 6: Network Devices

• Wireless network infrastructure components
• Access Points (APs): standalone, controller-based, cloud-managed
• Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) and centralized management
• Lightweight Access Point Protocol (LWAPP) and Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP)
• Cloud-managed WLAN architectures
• Wireless bridges: point-to-point and point-to-multipoint
• Wireless routers and residential gateways
• Wireless repeaters and range extenders
• Wireless mesh networking devices
• Wireless workgroup bridges
• Client devices and adapters
• Power over Ethernet (PoE) standards: 802.3af, 802.3at, 802.3bt
• PoE injectors and midspan devices
• Network management systems and monitoring platforms​

Module 7: 802.11 MAC Operations

• MAC (Media Access Control) layer fundamentals
• 802.11 MAC architecture and services
• Distribution System (DS) and Distribution System Media (DSM)
• Frame types: management, control, and data frames
• Frame format and structure
• MAC addressing in wireless networks
• Frame Control field and subfields
• Duration/ID field and Network Allocation Vector (NAV)
• Sequence Control and fragmentation
• Quality of Service (QoS) Control field
• Management frame subtypes: beacon, probe, authentication, association
• Control frame subtypes: RTS, CTS, ACK, Block ACK
• Data frame subtypes and QoS data frames
• Power management mechanisms
• Active mode, power save mode, and dynamic power save mode
• WMM Power Save (U-APSD)​

Module 8: Channel Access Methods

• Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA)
• Distributed Coordination Function (DCF)
• Interframe spacing: SIFS, PIFS, DIFS, AIFS, EIFS
• Random backoff and contention window
• Clear Channel Assessment (CCA)
• Physical and virtual carrier sense
• RTS/CTS (Request to Send / Clear to Send) mechanism
• CTS-to-Self protection
• Protection mechanisms for mixed-mode environments
• Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) for QoS
• Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM) and traffic prioritization
• Access Categories (ACs): Voice, Video, Best Effort, Background
• Admission Control and Traffic Specification (TSPEC)
• Hybrid Coordination Function (HCF) Controlled Channel Access (HCCA)​

Module 9: WLAN Network Architectures

• Autonomous AP architecture (distributed)
• Centralized WLAN architecture with controllers
• Controller deployment models: centralized, distributed, cloud
• Split-MAC architecture concepts
• Data plane: local vs. centralized forwarding
• Control plane and management plane functions
• FlexConnect and local switching modes
• Cloud-managed and controller-less architectures
• Software-Defined Networking (SDN) in wireless networks
• Virtual controller architectures
• Edge and fog computing integration
• Scalability and redundancy considerations​

Module 10: WLAN Requirements and Solutions

• Business and technical requirements gathering
• Coverage requirements analysis
• Capacity and user density planning
• Application requirements: voice, video, data
• Throughput and performance objectives
• Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWi-Fi) design considerations
• Video streaming and conferencing requirements
• Real-time application support
• Guest access network design
• Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) considerations
• IoT device connectivity and management
• Location-based services and asset tracking
• High-density environments: stadiums, auditoriums, conference centers
• Outdoor and campus-wide coverage solutions​

Module 11: Security Solutions for WLANs

• Wireless security threats and vulnerabilities
• Legacy security mechanisms: WEP and weaknesses
• WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) and TKIP
• WPA2-Personal: Pre-Shared Key (PSK) authentication
• WPA2-Enterprise: 802.1X/EAP authentication framework
• RADIUS server architecture and AAA services
• EAP types: EAP-TLS, PEAP, EAP-TTLS, EAP-FAST, EAP-SIM
• Certificate-based authentication deployment
• WPA3-Personal: Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE)
• WPA3-Enterprise: 192-bit security mode
• Opportunistic Wireless Encryption (OWE) for open networks
• Management Frame Protection (MFP): 802.11w
• CCMP (Counter Mode with CBC-MAC Protocol) encryption
• GCMP (Galois/Counter Mode Protocol) for WPA3
• Wireless Intrusion Detection Systems (WIDS)
• Wireless Intrusion Prevention Systems (WIPS)
• Rogue AP detection and mitigation
• Guest network isolation and captive portals
• MAC filtering limitations and best practices​

Module 12: Site Surveys, Network Design and Validation

• Site survey fundamentals and importance
• Predictive site surveys using RF planning software
• Manual site surveys: passive, active, and validation surveys
• Passive survey methodology and measurements
• Active survey: association testing and throughput validation
• Site survey tools: spectrum analyzers, protocol analyzers, survey software
• Pre-survey preparation and planning
• Understanding facility blueprints and floor plans
• Identifying RF obstacles and attenuation sources
• AP placement strategies and mounting considerations
• Coverage heatmap analysis
• Capacity planning and throughput modeling
• Validation testing procedures
• Post-deployment optimization
• Troubleshooting coverage gaps and performance issues​

Module 13: WLAN Troubleshooting

• Systematic troubleshooting methodology
• Layer-by-layer troubleshooting approach
• Physical layer issues: RF interference, poor signal strength, multipath
• Data link layer problems: association failures, authentication errors
• Network layer connectivity issues
• Application layer performance degradation
• Common connectivity problems and resolutions
• Roaming issues and sticky client syndrome
• Throughput and latency problems
• Hidden node and exposed node issues
• Channel utilization and airtime fairness
• Co-channel and adjacent-channel interference troubleshooting
• Spectrum analysis for interference identification
• Protocol analysis for frame-level troubleshooting
• Client device driver and firmware issues
• Configuration errors and mismatches
• Security implementation problems​

Module 14: Hands-On Lab Exercises

• Wireless adapter configuration and monitoring mode
• Spectrum analyzer operation and RF visualization
• Identifying non-Wi-Fi interference sources
• Protocol analyzer capture and frame analysis
• Beacon frame analysis and SSID discovery
• Authentication and association frame exchanges
• Security handshake analysis: PSK and 802.1X
• Site survey software operation
• Passive survey data collection
• Active survey and throughput testing
• Coverage heatmap interpretation
• AP configuration and optimization
• Channel planning and power level adjustment
• QoS configuration and validation
• Troubleshooting common wireless issues​

Training Impact

The impact of Certified Wireless Network Administrator training is evident across critical healthcare environments:

Charité Hospital – Secure IoT Connectivity via WPA3

Implementation: Charité Hospital implemented Silex Technology’s WPA3-Enterprise network with Wi-Fi bridges to connect legacy medical devices, modernizing patient monitoring while maintaining compatibility.
Results: The transition strengthened patient data protection and improved IoT device availability, becoming an EU benchmark for secure wireless healthcare implementations.

Johns Hopkins Hospital – Cisco WPA3-Enterprise Migration

Implementation: Johns Hopkins undertook a phased WPA3 migration using Cisco’s architecture with 192-bit encryption, MFP, and centralized RADIUS authentication across intensive care units.
Results: The network achieved high-assurance security with near-zero downtime, supporting medical-grade encryption vital for real-time monitoring and telemedicine.

HealthFirst Clinics – Wi-Fi 6 and WPA3 Unified Solution

Implementation: HealthFirst deployed Huawei’s Wi-Fi 6E network with WPA3 encryption, combining TWT and MU-MIMO to optimize traffic from IoT sensors and patient tablets.
Results: The unified solution delivered 35% higher network efficiency and zero credential leaks, demonstrating how WPA3 and Wi-Fi 6 coexist for secure, high-performance connectivity.

Be inspired by Charité, Johns Hopkins, and HealthFirst excellence. Secure your spot in the Rcademy Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) course and unlock your next-generation wireless security leadership potential today.​