Even if you’re not on your way to a CWNP certification, these books should regardless be part of your reference library.
CWNP is the premier certification organization in the WLAN world, and the number of certifications they offer has grown to seven. I recently learned that each of the certifications has an associated Official Study Guide, available from Sybex, part of Wiley. And I recently had the opportunity to review two of these, the CWAP (Certified Wireless Analysis Professional) and CWDP (Certified Wireless Design Professional) books. CWNP has a well-deserved reputation for thoroughness and value, and these books reinforce that reputation with an information-packed, easy-to-read format that will be valuable even if you’re not planning on taking the test(s).
The CWAP Guide is aimed at those who will be doing low-level analysis of production WLAN systems – primarily packet tracing and spectral analysis. Given this, the Guide spends considerable time (both books are, BTW, quite hefty) on the 802.11 PHY and MAC, management and control frames, data frames, and provides a detailed look at 802.11n, security, power management, and spectral analysis. The book, I’m sure the authors will agree, is no substitute for hands-on experience, but it’s a phenomenal reference suitable for all who have passed the rank of beginner.
The CWDP Guide is written for those who specify and design wireless networks (everybody’s a specialist these days, right?). The material here is also at a fairly deep technical level, so this book isn’t a textbook or tutorial. But it’s an outstanding reference for practitioners, covering requirements definition, client and application considerations, WLAN architecture, RF communications fundamentals, site surveys, security, documentation, validation, and troubleshooting. Wow! This has got to be the best value ever. It is a bit technical in places – yes, there’s some math and a little theory. But it’s a great read for professionals who really do need to know the material to do their jobs effectively.
I didn’t read every word in constructing this review, but the parts of both books that I reviewed in detail are very well-written with copious explanatory illustrations. There are numerous review tests – with detailed answers, and numerous examples. The Table of Contents and the Index are both robust and complete, making it easy to zero in on a particular topic. Both are available at Amazon, and also come in Kindle editions (with very reasonable prices; it may be worthwhile to own the whole library). A CD containing assorted software and test materials is included with each book. Unfortunately, you’ll need a PC to use these; I’m a Mac and Linux person myself. No matter, though; these are perhaps the best books available on their respective subjects and the wealth of information in each makes a worthwhile addition to your library whether you’re study for the exams or not.
