Here is a map out of lab equipment that is deemed “necessary”:

- Cisco WLC 2106 – expensive if you’re considering just the CCNA Wireless. More justifiable if you plan to pursue the CCNP Wireless and no brainer for CCIE Wireless.
- 1231AP A word of caution below:

The 802.11a radio is supported, just make sure that you have the right one:

For all IOS-based 1200 series modular access point (1200/1220 Cisco IOS Software Upgrade, 1210 and 1230 AP) platforms, it depends on the radio:

- if 802.11G, MP21G and MP31G are supported
- if 802.11A, RM21A and RM22A are supported
- The 1200 series access points can be upgraded with any combination of supported radios: G only, A only, or both G and A.

---

Note For an access point that contains dual radios, if one of the two radios is an LWAPP-supported radio, the upgrade tool still performs the upgrade. The tool adds a warning message to the detailed log that indicates which radio is unsupported.

source: Cisco Learning Network

Unfortunately, there seems to be no gns3/dynamips solution for Wireless at this time. So you will either have to dig deep and purchase the gear or risk going blind in to the exam (or find another means to get experience with a WLC).

On a playful note here’s Cisco’s version of the ideal CCNA Wireless lab:

- 2106 Wireless LAN Controller
- 1131 AccessPoint
- Cisco Mobility Express (CME)
- 526 controller 521 AccessPoint

If you didn’t find the above amusing, then check out the total price tag for all the equipment.

[Next Stop: CCNA Wireless Exam (IUWNE 640-721), followed by Chapter 1 CCNA Wireless]

Calling upon past learning experiences obtained during my R&S studies, I searched for the popular cbtnuggets site to figure out if they had trainings for CCNA Wireless. Sure enough there they were.

This is by far my most preferred method of learning since it is more interactive than a book and as such more efficient to me. Often times the trainers take the time to present you with practical examples on live network devices, thereby bridging the gap between theory and real life IMHO.

For those who aren’t familiar with cbtnuggets, they are a Computer Based Training company. They produce and sell their own training videos on a variety of IT Certifications. Check out their website and preview one of their videos to see if this method of learning is for you.

>> cbtnuggets – Cisco CCNA Wireless IUWNE 640-721, presented by trainer Michael J. Shannon. (299$)

Continuing my order of preference for learning materials, next we have the official Exam Certification guide.
This I find important to use as both a reference book, for when I need more detail concerning a specific topic, as well as understanding the syllabus that I can expect from the Cisco exam. There’s nothing worse than being surprised by a question in the exam.

>> ciscopress – CCNA Wireless Official Exam Certification Guide (CCNA IUWNE 640-721)

! If you want to save money do not get this book from CiscoPress, try amazon (currently 31,49$ /28,95€), or ebay.

Next up are forums. As your studies progress, the more curious you’ll become regarding topics that aren’t always clear in books or training videos. Chances are others will have the same queries you do and forums are one of the best places to seek help on this.

There are many forums around that will prove to be resourceful, however the one I seem to have spent more time on in the past was Sadikhov.
It contains a very active community of users with the common goal of obtaining success in IT certifications. You’ll easily find helpful tips, knowledgeable answers to topics you have not grasped yet, or even lab suggestions to try out.

Lastly, and perhaps one of the most important forms of learning is practicing on the actual equipment. This I will be presenting on my next post – virtual, physical, labs and simulation (heads up it’s not as good as it was for R&S).

>> I neglected to mention another highly recommended source of information – www.cisco.com. Do not underestimate the value of the website, it contains a huge amount of information that will assist you in learning, even if it will take you a while to find what you’re looking for.

Here is a quick suggestion to help you get started: Cisco Learning Network – CCNA Wireless Specific Docs (You need to sign up to access the documents).

[Next stop: Lab Equipment, followed by the CCNA Wireless Exam (IUWNE 640-721).]

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.

Drakensberg from the Tugela River

Drakensberg (Afrikaans: Drakensberge, Dutch: Drakensbergen, “the Dragon Mountains“) is the highest mountain range in Southern Africa, rising to 3,482 metres (11,420 ft) in height.(1).