How to Get Cisco Wireless Certification
Founded in 1984, Cisco Systems Inc. makes a variety of home and business networking equipment, including wireless access points. It offers three specialist certification exams that certify your expertise in wireless design, sales or field work. In addition to understanding the advanced features of Cisco wireless products, those with wireless certification must also have a fundamental knowledge of antenna theory and wireless signal manipulation. Cisco also offers wireless concentrations as part of their Associate, Professional and Expert certification paths. Though only the exam is required for certification, completion may require many hours of self-paced or classroom study, or experience.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Study for the exam using study materials and taking classes offered by third parties or Cisco itself. If you are working in wireless networking already, you likely won't need much classroom training; you may be able to rely on books and other self-paced study materials.
-
2
Schedule an exam date through Pearson Vue or Prometric testing services. Though the exams are designed, updated and offered according to Cisco standards, they are generally proctored and scheduled through one of these companies.
-
-
3
Pass the requisite exam(s). Those hoping to become design specialists will have to first pass the Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) exam and then the Advanced Wireless LAN Design Specialist exam. Sales and field experts have to pass only one exam to become certified.
-
4
Take your wireless certification further. After specialist certifications, Cisco offers wireless versions of their Cisco Certified Networking Professional (CCNP) and Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert (CCIE) credentials. These are sequential qualifications, with the CCIE requiring completion of the CCNP. The CCIE Wireless is a two-part exam, consisting of a $315 written exam and a $1,400 lab exam.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Cisco's website includes recommendations for training. For example, those wishing to take the wireless LAN field specialist exam should attend the Cisco Wireless LAN Fundamentals and Advanced topics training offered at locations throughout the world.
Determine which wireless certification path is best for you. If you have not yet passed the Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) exam, consider taking the Implementing Cisco Unified Wireless Networking Essentials (IUWNE) test to stand out as a CCNA with wireless expertise. CCNAs are the first of three major steps in the Cisco career certification path. If you have already earned your CCNA in another area, choose to take one of the specialist exams.
In field work, wireless experts work hands-on deploying, configuring and troubleshooting wireless hardware. Wireless design experts develop theoretical schematics and solutions for a customer's wireless needs.
References
- Photo Credit wlan router 04 image by pmphoto from Fotolia.com
