CWNP – A vendor independent certification path

Planet3 Wireless is a developer and provider of IT training, courseware and certification exams for wireless LAN technologies in the computer networking industry. Planet3 employs Contract Experts (SMEs) from around the world to create and validate the content used to train and certify IT professionals in wireless network technologies. Planet3 Wireless is a privately held Georgia Corporation. Planet3 was founded in 1999.

This certification program has six certificates; Wireless#, CWNA, CWSP, CWAP, CWNE and CWNT. These six certifications broadly cover the modern wireless technologies that are trending in today’s wireless markets. We will briefly go through these certificates.

Wireless# is a brief introduction to a wide range of wireless technologies. It covers a lot of topics but in a short way. The following are the technologies covered by the Wireless# certificate:

Wireless Internet access

Bluetooth

WiMAX

ZigBee

Infrared

RFID

VoWLAN

The good thing about Wireless# is that they have free official practice exams on the CWNP website itself. And PrepLogic also offers a free short exam guide. The exam, PW0-050, costs $125.

The CWNA® (Certified Wireless Network Administrator) certification is a Foundation-level wireless LAN certification for the CWNP program. CWNA certification makes it easier for you to start your wireless career by ensuring you have the skills to successfully manage enterprise-class wireless LANs.

CWNA focuses primarily on Wi-Fi. Therefore, when getting started with a wireless network, I recommend that you go all the way starting with Wireless #, even if you will end up working only with Wi-Fi. The background given in Wireless# is full of “good to know” things.

The CWNA exam, PW0-100, costs $175 and an official exam guide can be purchased through the policies on the CWNP website.

The CWSP® (Certified Wireless Security Professional) certification will advance your career by ensuring you have the skills to successfully protect wireless networks from hackers. CWSP is an advanced wireless LAN certification for the CWNP program.

CWNA is a prerequisite for CWSP certification. And the CWSP exam, PW0-200, is also $175. The CWNP website also gives you instructions on how to purchase the certification guide for this exam.

The CWAP® (Certified Wireless Analysis Professional) certification will advance your career by ensuring you have the skills to maximize the performance of a wireless network and reduce the time spent troubleshooting. Do something new for your career today. CWAP is an advanced wireless certification for the CWNP program.

This exam also requires a CWNA certificate as a prerequisite. The exam cost, PW0-205, is also $175.

CWNE® (Certified Wireless Networking Expert®) certification is the final step in the CWNP program. By successfully completing the CWNE requirements, you have demonstrated that you have the most advanced capabilities available in today’s wireless LAN market.

CWNE ensures that you have mastered all relevant skills to administer, install, configure, troubleshoot and design wireless network systems. Packet analysis, intrusion detection, performance analysis and advanced design are some of the areas of expertise you need to know.

CWNE candidates must pass 1 exam. And the CWNE certification is not yet available. However, it is already established that valid CWSP and CWAP certifications are a prerequisite.

Certified Wireless Network Trainers (CWNT®) are qualified instructors certified by the CWNP program to deliver CWNP training courses for IT professionals. CWNTs are technical and didactic experts in wireless technologies, products and solutions.

To ensure our customers a superior learning experience, CWNP Education Partners are required to use CWNTs when delivering training using official CWNP courseware. To be considered for CWNT certification, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. You must be on an official course for the CWNP level you wish to teach.

2. Pass the appropriate level exam with a minimum score of 80%.

3. At least 12 months of documented training experience in the IT industry

4. Recent technology training certification/degree, such as e.g.:

Microsoft MCT

CompTIA CTT+

Novell CNI

Cisco CCNI or CCSI

JEB Level 3 Certificate

Recent certification as an instructor from any branch of the armed forces

college or university professor

5. Complete the application form and pay the $200 annual verification/certification fee. This fee will be refunded if your application is rejected for any reason.

Considering that Cisco wireless certifications are about to be retired, CWNP seems like a very viable certification path for people who want to become proficient in wireless networks.

Cisco Wireless LAN Design Specialist, Cisco Wireless LAN Sales Specialist and Cisco Wireless LAN Support Specialist retired on July 29, 2006.

This keeps CWNP at the forefront of wireless certifications. And I think that a manufacturer-independent certification path gives them the right to be part of it.

Thanks to Mohammed Alani | #CWNP #vendor #independent #certification #path