The CCNP Wireless certification has been completely restructured and new content has been redistributed across each of the training courses and exams. In this update we emphasize the changes and answer a couple of most frequently asked questions.

Existing vs. new CCNP Wireless exams and training

If you are beginning your CCNP Wireless certification, we recommend that you take the newest CCNP Wireless exams.

If you are in the middle of completing your certification, you can choose to take either the existing exams or the new exams. The last day to test for the existing exams will be September 21, 2016. The new CCNP Wireless exam and training are available since March 22, 2016.

New and Old CCNP Wireless Exams

Wireless Design (WIDESIGN) summary and domain overview

The 642-732 CUWSS exam will be replaced by the 300-360 WIDESIGN exam. The current CUWSS course is focused on performing a site survey and not on designing a wireless network. On the other hand, the WIDESIGN is a completely new course and was created based upon the products AireOS v8.0, IOS-XE v3.6, ISE v1.3, and Prime Infrastructure v2.2. The WIDESIGN course also includes the use of the Ekahau site survey tool, and the Metageek Chanalyzer. The Ekahau software is used for verifying the RF coverage and a predictive network design. The Metageek Chanalyzer is used for performing a Layer 1 survey.

WIDESIGN domain overview:

  • Obtaining Customer Requirements as Related to the WLAN Installation
    • Identify Business and RF application needs
    • Identify client density, capabilities and their impact on the wireless network
    • Identify the challenges of setting up a Wireless network by various vertical markets
    • Describe required site survey documentation
    • Identify coverage area requirements
  • Determine Facility Type and Constraints Related to WLAN Deployments
    • Describe the Impact of Regulatory domains
    • Identify deployment location safety considerations
    • Identify the impact of customer aesthetic limitations on the installation
    • Assess the existing wired and wireless infrastructure
    • dentify the impact of material attenuation
  • WLAN Predictive Design
    • Demonstrate the impact of frequency planning in a high density environment
    • Use PI planning tools to make a network plan
    • Use Ekahau planning tools to make a network plan
  • Pre-Deployment Site Survey
    • Identify the appropriate site survey equipment and access requirements based on environmental needs
    • Complete the Layer 2 site survey for indoor environments
    • Complete the Layer 2 site survey for outdoor mesh environments (2 hop environments)
    • Complete Layer 1 survey (Cisco CleanAir, Metageek Chanalyzer)
  • Post-Deployment Site Survey
    • Verify RF coverage
    • Verify network applications and performance
    • Reconcile any deployment issues
    • Assemble and deliver an installation report to the customer
  • Designing the Infrastructure of the Wireless Network
    • Determine physical infrastructure requirements
    • Determine logical infrastructure requirements
    • Describe IPv6 optimization on the WLC
  • Describing and Designing Wireless Architectures for Real Time Applications
    • Describe the relationship between real-time applications & wireless networks
    • Describe voice and video as they apply to the wireless network
    • Describe real-time applications (other than voice and video) as they apply to the wireless network
    • Design wireless roaming parameters for supporting real time applications
    • Design wireless parameters for supporting real-time applications

 

Wireless Deploy (WIDEPLOY) exam summary and domain overview

The 642-742 IUWVN exam will be replaced by the 300-365 WIDEPLOY exam. WIDEPLOY course has been significantly updated in terms of content coverage and is based upon the products AireOS v8.0, IOS-XE v3.6, ISE v1.3, and Prime Infrastructure v2.2. Apart from several new modules that have been added to the course, significant more lab time has been added. Multiple additional Discovery Labs are introduced to the course, allowing the instructor to demonstrate new features for the students. The students have the opportunity to watch and learn before they have to perform the task in a Challenge Lab.

Domain overview:

  • Implementing QoS for Wireless Applications
    • Describe and implement general considerations for wired QoS
    • Describe and implement the appropriate wireless QoS deployment schemes
    • Configure infrastructure QoS for wireless clients
    • Implement AVC
  • Implementing Multicast Over Wireless
    • Describe general multicast concepts (L2, L3, and SPG)
    • Describe implications for multicast in 802.11
    • Configure multicast in a wireless network
    • Configure mDNS (*Focus on mDNS gateway, LSS, service advertisement and how all of the pieces inter relate to each other)
  • Implementing High Density
    • Design for High Density
    • Implement RXSOP
    • Implement enhanced roaming
    • Implement AP Groups
    • Implement Interface Groups
    • Implement client limits (*including client counts and client bandwidth)
  • Designing and Deploying WLAN Infrastructure for Mobility
    • Describe the impact of client VLAN assignment on mobility
    • Minimize inter-controller roaming (Avoid salt-and-pepper deployment)
    • Describe mobility control plane architectures (*AireOS; in IOS-XE limit to MC/MA, no MO)
    • Describe the mobility tunneling process
    • Implement client mobility
  • Implementing Cisco MSE Architecture
    • Describe Cisco MSE capabilities and integration with the wireless network architecture
    • Describe location techniques
    • Identify the relevant parameters required
    • Initialize MSE for network operations
    • Implement Base location services
    • Implement Advanced location services
    • Integrate MSE with PI
  • Designing and Implementing FlexConnect Architecture
    • Compare and contrast the components of the FlexConnect architecture
    • Describe and implement the capabilities of a FlexConnect group
    • Describe the impact of the FlexConnect architecture on roaming
    • Describe and implement Office Extend operation
  • Implementing Controller and AP High Availability
    • Configure the wireless network for high availability
    • Configure high availability for the AP
    • Configure high availability for the controller
  • Wireless Bridging (MESH)
    • Describe the mesh AP modes of operation
    • Describe the considerations for a MESH deployment (*indoor to outdoor extensions, maximum 2 hops)
    • Describe the convergence of a MESH network
    • Implement a Workgroup Bridge
    • Describe the passive client feature

 

Wireless Troubleshooting (WITSHOOT) exam summary and domain comparison

The 642-747 IUWMS exam will be replaced by the 300-370 WITSHOOT exam. The overall number of domains has changed from five to seven. WITSHOOT course is based on AireOS v8.0, IOS-XE v3.6, ISE v1.3, and Prime Infrastructure v2.2. Much of the troubleshooting topics were interspersed across each of the existing CCNP Wireless exams. In the new CCNP Wireless, that content has been consolidated into a single troubleshooting exam. New to the exam is also the inclusion of methodology, techniques, tools and utilities helpful in troubleshooting. The labs in this course are developed around the concept of trouble tickets and presented with real-life wireless network problems. The students will then use the methodologies, techniques, tools, and utilities to resolve the issues.

Domain overview

  • Troubleshooting Methodology
    • Apply the appropriate troubleshooting methods to identify an issue
    • Utilize the appropriate tools to assist in isolating an issue
  • Troubleshooting AP Joining Issues
    • Resolve controller discovery issues (*tools used = Controller Debugs, AP Debugs, WLC logs, Firewall Ports)
    • Resolve DTLS session establishment issues
    • Resolve AP joining issues
  • Troubleshooting Client Connectivity Issues
    • Identify and resolve authentication issues
    • Identify RF signal issues
    • Resolve supplicant configuration issues – (iOS, Android, Windows, MAC OS, year 2013+)
    • Troubleshoot autonomous AP links
  • Identifying and Locating RF Interferences
    • Identify and Mitigate rogues (*tools used = CleanAir, heat maps, link test, and spectrum analyzer)
    • Manage non-802.11 interferences
  • Troubleshooting Client Performance Issues
    • Characterize roaming issues
    • Evaluate throughput and data rate issues
    • Identify the source of poor user experience
  • Identifying Common Wired Infrastructure Issues Based on the Output From Common Troubleshooting Tools
    • Identify DNS issues
    • Identify DHCP – DHCPv4/DHCPv6 issues
    • Identify VLAN issues
    • Analyze end-to-end IP connectivity issues
    • Assess POE issues
    • Describe stacking as it relates to wireless licenses and the WCM role (*Tools to supply the output)
    • Show commands (WLC, switch, and AP), debugs (WLC, switch, and AP), log files (WLC switch, AP, and AAA), WLCCA, WLC GUI
    • PI troubleshooting tools (wireless client and PI 360 views), ISE reports available from Prime Infrastructure
  • Troubleshooting WLC and AP High-Availability Issues
    • Troubleshoot primary, secondary, tertiary controller join issues
    • Troubleshoot Stateful Switch Over (SSO) issues

 

Wireless Security (WISECURE) exam summary and domain overview

The 642-737 IAUWS exam will be replaced by the 300-375 WISECURE exam. WISECURE contains significant updates in terms of content coverage and is based upon products AireOS v8.0, IOS-XE v3.6, ISE v1.3, and Prime Infrastructure v2.2. The NAC, WCS, and ACS products have been removed and updated to ISE v1.3. With the addition of several new modules, significantly more lab time has also been added. Multiple Discovery Labs are introduced to the course, allowing the instructor to demonstrate new features for the students. Students will have the opportunity to watch and learn before they have to perform the task in a Challenge Lab.

Domain overview:

  • Integrating Client Device Security
    • Describe the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) authentication process
    • Configure a client for secure EAP authentication (*EAP-FAST, PEAP, EAP-TLS)
    • Describe the impact of security configurations on application and client roaming
    • Implement 802.11w Protected Management Frame (PMF) on the WLAN
    • Implement Cisco Management Frame Protection (MFP)
    • Describe and configure client profiling
  • Implementing Secure Distribution System Connectivity Services on the Wireless infrastructure
    • Implement BYOD policies
    • Implement AAA-based Layer 3 security on the controller
    • Describe regulatory compliance considerations for protecting data and access and providing accountability
    • Utilize security audit tools for distribution systems
  • Implementing Secure Client Connectivity Services on the Wireless infrastructure
    • Implement 802.1x wireless client authentication
    • Implement Identity Based Networking (IBN)
    • Implement ISE AAA parameters for integration with the wireless network
    • Implement AAA-based Layer 3 security using ISE
    • Configure MSE-based web authentication (*visitor connect)
  • New Module on Implementing Secure Management Access on the WLAN Infrastructure (Hardening the Infrastructure)
    • Controlling administrative access to the wireless infrastructure
    • Implement SNMPv3 on the wireless infrastructure
  • Monitoring Security on the WLAN infrastructure
    • Execute Security reports on PI
    • Perform Rogue Management
    • Monitor rogue APs and clients
    • Monitor Alarms
    • Identify RF-related security interferers on WLC and PI maps

 

To what extent is the Cisco Wireless Control System management tool covered in the CCNP Wireless certification?

There are many changes in the new CCNP Wireless courses and how Cisco Prime Infrastructure is covered in them. The table below gives a high-level reference.

WIDESIGN

WISECURE

WIDEPLOY

WITSHOOT

Use Prime Infrastructure and Ekahau planning tools to make a network plan:

  • Enter network requirements in the tool
  • Capacity requirements
  • Coverage requirements
  • Define the environment
  • Maps and scale
  • Types of RF obstacles
  • Place and configure simulated APs and antennas
  • Place simulated APs (manual, automatic)
  • Adjust APs and antennas/AP transmit power height and down tilt
  • Analyze key network metrics using heat maps for 2.4 and 5
  • Analyze coverage, signal-to-noise ratio, and channel overlap
  • Analyze AP placements in regard to real-time handoffs around corner

Post-deployment site survey:

  • Verify network applications and performance
  • Apply Prime Infrastructure tools (voice readiness, location readiness, site calibration)
  • Use security audit tools for distribution systems
  • Prime Infrastructure reports
  • Use security audit tools for client connectivity
  • Prime Infrastructure reports
  • Monitor security on the WLAN infrastructure
  • Execute security reports on Prime Infrastructure
  • Perform rogue management
  • Rogue containment on wireless LAN controller and Prime Infrastructure
  • Rogue Location Discovery Protocol on wireless LAN controller and Prime Infrastructure
  • Switch-port tracing on Prime Infrastructure
  • Location on Prime Infrastructure
  • Rogue rules on wireless LAN controller and Prime Infrastructure
  • Monitor rogue APs and clients
  • Prime Infrastructure maps
  • Monitor alarms
  • Prime Infrastructure Security tab
  • Identify RF-related security interferers on wireless LAN controller and Prime Infrastructure maps
  • Monitor Application Visibility and Control with Prime Infrastructure
  • Implement base location services with Prime Infrastructure
  • Integrate Cisco Mobility Services Engine (MSE) with Prime Infrastructure
  • Identify the relevant components to integrate Cisco MSE with Prime Infrastructure
  • Identify the relevant steps to integrate Cisco MSE with Prime Infrastructure

Not applicable; the course focuses on AP and wireless LAN controller issues

 

Who are the best candidates for the CCNP Wireless certification?

The best candidates are WLAN designers, planners, implementers, optimizers, trainers, and support personnel, as well as any candidates interested in attaining their Cisco CCIE Wireless certification.

 

What is the value of the CCNP Wireless certification to networking professionals?

The CCNP Wireless certification offers these values:

  • Validation and recognition of professional-level wireless design expertise
  • Differentiation of wireless design skills and expertise within the organization and the networking community
  • New, wireless-focused opportunities for professional advancement
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