Icape's Blog

Wireless Certification Tracks

I’ve decided to take the plunge into the Wireless world. And as any rookie pondered on which certification to go with.

My initial research (googling) on this matter showed two popular paths:

1) CCNA Wireless/CCNP Wireless (Cisco Certified Network Associate Wireless/Cisco Certified Network Professional Wireless) – Cisco Vendor Specific path.

2) CWNP (Certified Wireless Network Professional) – industry standard for vendor neutral, enterprise wireless LAN certifications.

Naturally, several factors came into play while deciding which path to take.
In the end the fact that I already attained a R&S CCNP, the fact that my professional experience would mostly, if not entirely, be exposed to Cisco specific wireless hardware, and lastly being a sucker for punishment, I figured I would go for the CCNP Wireless.

Decision taken, I soon discovered an extra hoop to be taken. In order to have a valid CCNP Wireless certification, Cisco requires that you have a valid CCNA Wireless Certification. Little does it matter that you have a valid CCNA & CCNP in R&S.

Despite this, I figured it would be beneficial to start from the beginning in the Cisco Wireless world, just as Cisco requires.

Certification track chosen: CCNA Wireless -> CCNP Wireless .
ETA: approximately 1.5 Years. I wanted to give myself adequate time to learn the theory behind Wireless Networking but more importantly have as much fun on the practical side as possible. I place much emphasis on the practical side as it helps me to better understand and organize information obtained in theory. Of course this is also where most of us want to spend our time, not in a book.

Next stop – Learning Material, followed by Lab Equipment.

1 Comment so far
Leave a comment