Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355: Everything You Need to Know About Wireless Networking Fundamentals and Best Practices

Outline of the article ----------------------- H1: CBT Nuggets Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355: A Comprehensive Guide H2: What is Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355? H3: The benefits of earning this certification H3: The exam objectives and format H2: How to prepare for Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355? H3: The recommended prerequisites and skills H3: The best online training resources H4: CBT Nuggets Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 course H4: Other useful courses and materials H3: The tips and tricks to ace the exam H2: What are the career opportunities for Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 certified professionals? H3: The demand and salary for wireless network engineers H3: The roles and responsibilities of wireless network engineers H3: The future trends and challenges in wireless networking H2: Conclusion H3: Summary of the main points H3: Call to action --- # CBT Nuggets Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355: A Comprehensive Guide Are you interested in becoming a wireless network engineer? Do you want to learn how to design, implement, and troubleshoot wireless networks using Cisco technologies? If so, you might want to consider earning the Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 certification. This certification validates your knowledge and skills in wireless networking fundamentals, wireless standards and regulations, wireless LAN (WLAN) components and architecture, WLAN security, WLAN design and troubleshooting, and more. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to prepare for and pass the Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 exam. We will also cover the benefits, objectives, format, prerequisites, resources, tips, career opportunities, and future trends of this certification. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of what it takes to become a Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 certified professional. ## What is Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355? Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 is an associate-level certification that demonstrates your ability to configure, monitor, and support wireless networks using Cisco devices and software. It is one of the most popular and respected certifications in the wireless networking field. It is also a prerequisite for higher-level Cisco certifications such as CCNP Wireless and CCIE Wireless. To earn this certification, you need to pass one exam: 200-355 WIFUND (Implementing Cisco Wireless Network Fundamentals). This exam tests your knowledge and skills in the following domains: - RF Fundamentals - Antenna Fundamentals - Basic WLAN Analysis - Basic WLAN Design - Basic WLAN Security - Basic WLAN Operation - Basic WLAN Maintenance - Basic Troubleshooting The exam consists of 60-70 questions that you need to answer within 90 minutes. The questions are multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, fill-in-the-blank, simulation, testlet, and simlet types. The passing score is 860 out of 1000. ### The benefits of earning this certification There are many benefits of earning the Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 certification, such as: - It validates your knowledge and skills in wireless networking fundamentals and best practices. - It enhances your credibility and reputation as a wireless network engineer. - It increases your chances of getting hired or promoted by employers who value Cisco certifications. - It prepares you for more advanced Cisco certifications such as CCNP Wireless and CCIE Wireless. - It helps you stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in wireless networking. ### The exam objectives and format The exam objectives for Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 are as follows: RF Fundamentals This domain covers the basics of radio waves, radio frequency (RF), and wireless antennas. You need to understand how RF works, how to measure RF signals, how to apply dB and mW calculations, how to use RF tools such as spectrum analyzers and site survey tools, how to select and install antennas, how to calculate antenna gain and beamwidth, how to avoid RF interference and noise, and how to comply with RF standards and regulations. Antenna Fundamentals This domain covers the types, characteristics, applications, installation, and troubleshooting of wireless antennas. You need to know the difference between omnidirectional and directional antennas, the advantages and disadvantages of various antenna types such as dipole, patch, Yagi, parabolic, and MIMO antennas, the factors that affect antenna performance such as polarization, diversity, and multipath, the methods of antenna mounting and alignment, and the common antenna problems and solutions. Basic WLAN Analysis This domain covers the concepts, components, and architecture of wireless LANs (WLANs). You need to know the difference between WLAN standards such as 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, the features and functions of WLAN devices such as access points (APs), WLAN controllers (WLCs), wireless bridges, wireless repeaters, and wireless clients, the WLAN topologies such as autonomous, centralized, distributed, mesh, and cloud-based WLANs, the WLAN design principles such as coverage, capacity, scalability, security, and quality of service (QoS), and the WLAN analysis tools such as protocol analyzers and packet capture tools. Basic WLAN Design This domain covers the steps and best practices of designing a WLAN. You need to know how to perform a site survey to assess the customer requirements, the environmental factors, the RF characteristics, and the network infrastructure. You also need to know how to design a WLAN solution that meets the customer needs and follows the Cisco design guidelines. You also need to know how to document and present your WLAN design using tools such as Cisco Prime Infrastructure and Cisco Wireless Control System. Basic WLAN Security This domain covers the methods and technologies of securing a WLAN. You need to know how to configure WLAN security features such as encryption, authentication, authorization, accounting (AAA), firewall, VPN, intrusion prevention system (IPS), rogue detection, web filtering, and wireless intrusion detection system (WIDS). You also need to know how to implement WLAN security standards and protocols such as WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA3, 802.1X, EAP, RADIUS, TACACS+, LDAP, Kerberos Some additional sentences are: - You also need to know how to troubleshoot WLAN security issues such as authentication failures, encryption errors, certificate problems, and rogue APs. - You also need to know how to monitor and audit WLAN security using tools such as Cisco Prime Infrastructure and Cisco Wireless Control System. Basic WLAN Operation This domain covers the tasks and procedures of operating a WLAN. You need to know how to install, configure, manage, update, backup, restore, and troubleshoot WLAN devices such as APs and WLCs using tools such as Cisco Prime Infrastructure and Cisco Wireless Control System. You also need to know how to configure WLAN parameters such as SSIDs, VLANs, IP addresses, DHCP options, DNS settings, NTP settings, SNMP settings, syslog settings - You also need to know how to configure WLAN services such as guest access, voice over WLAN (VoWLAN), video over WLAN (VoWLAN), location services - You also need to know how to optimize WLAN performance using features such as load balancing - channel bonding - power management - QoS Basic WLAN Maintenance This domain covers the methods and tools of maintaining a WLAN. You need to know how to perform regular maintenance tasks such as firmware updates - backups - restores - logs - reports - alerts - diagnostics - You also need to know how to use maintenance tools such as Cisco Prime Infrastructure - Cisco Wireless Control System - Cisco Configuration Professional - Cisco CLI Basic Troubleshooting This domain covers the skills and techniques of troubleshooting a WLAN. You need to know how to identify - isolate - resolve common WLAN problems such as connectivity issues - performance issues - security issues - configuration issues - hardware issues - software issues - You also need to know how to use troubleshooting tools such as ping - traceroute - telnet - SSH - debug commands ## How to prepare for Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355? Preparing for Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 exam requires a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Here are some tips on how to prepare for this exam effectively: ### The recommended prerequisites and skills Before taking this exam - you should have at least one year of experience in networking or IT field. You should also have a basic understanding of networking concepts such as TCP/IP - OSI model - routing protocols - switching protocols - subnetting - VLANs. You should also have some familiarity with wireless networking concepts such as RF principles - antenna types - WLAN standards - WLAN components. ### The best online training resources One of the best ways to prepare for this exam is to use online training resources that provide you with comprehensive lectures - labs - quizzes - practice exams. One of the most popular and trusted online training providers for Cisco certifications is CBT Nuggets. #### CBT Nuggets Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 course This course is designed to help you prepare for the Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 exam. It covers all the exam objectives and topics in a clear and concise manner. It also provides you with hands-on labs and simulations that allow you to practice your skills in a realistic environment. The course is taught by Keith Barker, a certified Cisco instructor and network expert with over 30 years of experience in the IT industry. The course consists of 58 videos that total 17 hours and 12 minutes of training. The course also includes quizzes and practice exams that help you assess your progress and readiness for the exam. Some of the topics covered in this course are: - RF Fundamentals - Antenna Fundamentals - Basic WLAN Analysis - Basic WLAN Design - Basic WLAN Security - Basic WLAN Operation - Basic WLAN Maintenance - Basic Troubleshooting You can access this course with a CBT Nuggets subscription, which gives you unlimited access to all their courses and features for a monthly or annual fee. You can also try it for free for 7 days with their free trial offer. #### Other useful courses and materials Besides the CBT Nuggets Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 course, there are other online courses and materials that can help you prepare for this exam. Some of them are: - Cisco CCNA Wireless Official Cert Guide: This is the official study guide for the Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 exam. It covers all the exam objectives and topics in detail. It also provides you with review questions, practice tests, flashcards, and video tutorials. It is written by David Hucaby, a certified Cisco instructor and network consultant with over 20 years of experience in the IT industry. - Cisco Learning Network: This is the official online community for Cisco certification candidates and professionals. It provides you with various resources such as study groups, blogs, forums, webinars, videos, and e-learning courses. You can also interact with other learners and experts who can help you with your questions and doubts. - Udemy Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 WIFUND: This is an online course that covers all the exam objectives and topics for the Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 exam. It provides you with lectures, labs, quizzes, and practice exams. It is taught by Lazaro Diaz, a certified Cisco instructor and network engineer with over 18 years of experience in the IT industry. ### The tips and tricks to ace the exam Here are some tips and tricks that can help you ace the Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 exam: - Review the exam objectives and topics thoroughly and make sure you understand them well. - Use multiple sources of study materials such as books, videos, courses, labs, and practice tests. - Practice your skills in a lab or simulator environment as much as possible. - Review your weak areas and focus on improving them. - Take notes and make flashcards of important concepts and facts. - Schedule your exam when you feel ready and confident. - Read the exam questions carefully and eliminate the wrong answers. - Manage your time wisely and don't spend too much time on one question. - Check your answers before submitting them. ## What are the career opportunities for Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 certified professionals? Earning the Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 certification can open up many career opportunities for you in the wireless networking field. Some of them are: ### The demand and salary for wireless network engineers Wireless network engineers are in high demand in today's market as more organizations rely on wireless networks for their business operations. According to Indeed.com, the average salary for wireless network engineers in the US is $94,489 per year as of December 2021. The salary may vary depending on your location, experience, skills, education, and employer. ### The roles and responsibilities of wireless network engineers Wireless network engineers are responsible for designing, implementing, managing, and troubleshooting wireless networks using Cisco devices and software. Some of their typical roles and responsibilities are: - Perform site surveys to assess customer requirements and environmental factors - Design WLAN solutions that meet customer needs and follow Cisco design guidelines - Install, configure, manage, update, backup, restore, and troubleshoot WLAN devices such as APs and WLCs - Configure WLAN services such as guest access, voice over WLAN (VoWLAN), video over WLAN (VoWLAN), location services - Optimize WLAN performance using features such as load balancing, channel bonding, power management, QoS - Perform regular maintenance tasks such as firmware updates, backups, restores, logs, reports, alerts, diagnostics - Use WLAN analysis and troubleshooting tools such as protocol analyzers, packet capture tools, spectrum analyzers, site survey tools - Monitor and audit WLAN security using tools such as WIDS and WIPS - Stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in wireless networking ### The future trends and challenges in wireless networking Wireless networking is a dynamic and evolving field that constantly faces new trends and challenges. Some of the future trends and challenges in wireless networking are: - The emergence of new WLAN standards such as 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) and 802.11ay (Wi-Fi 7) that offer higher speeds, lower latency, higher capacity, and better efficiency - The adoption of cloud-based WLAN solutions that offer scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness - The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in WLAN management and optimization - The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices that require wireless connectivity and security - The rise of wireless security threats such as rogue APs, denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, and ransomware attacks ## Conclusion In this article, we have provided you with a comprehensive guide on how to prepare for and pass the Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 exam. We have covered the benefits, objectives, format, prerequisites, resources, tips, career opportunities, and future trends of this certification. We hope that this article has helped you gain a clear understanding of what it takes to become a Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 certified professional. ### Summary of the main points Here are the main points that we have discussed in this article: - Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 is an associate-level certification that validates your knowledge and skills in wireless networking fundamentals and best practices - To earn this certification, you need to pass one exam: 200-355 WIFUND (Implementing Cisco Wireless Network Fundamentals) - The exam consists of 60-70 questions that you need to answer within 90 minutes. The passing score is 860 out of 1000 - The exam covers eight domains: RF Fundamentals, Antenna Fundamentals, Basic WLAN Analysis, Basic WLAN Design, Basic WLAN Security, Basic WLAN Operation, Basic WLAN Maintenance, Basic Troubleshooting - The benefits of earning this certification include validating your knowledge and skills in wireless networking fundamentals and best practices enhancing your credibility and reputation as a wireless network engineer increasing your chances of getting hired or promoted by employers who value Cisco certifications preparing you for more advanced Cisco certifications such as CCNP Wireless and CCIE Wireless helping you stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in wireless networking - The best online training resources for this exam include CBT Nuggets Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 course Cisco CCNA Wireless Official Cert Guide Cisco Learning Network Udemy Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 WIFUND course - The tips and tricks to ace the exam include reviewing the exam objectives and topics thoroughly and making sure you understand them well using multiple sources of study materials such as books, videos, courses, labs, and practice tests practicing your skills in a lab or simulator environment as much as possible reviewing your weak areas and focusing on improving them taking notes and making flashcards of important concepts and facts scheduling your exam when you feel ready and confident reading the exam questions carefully and eliminating the wrong answers managing your time wisely and not spending too much time on one question checking your answers before submitting them - implementing, managing, and troubleshooting wireless networks using Cisco devices and software - earning an average salary of $94,489 per year in the US as of December 2021 - facing new trends and challenges in wireless networking such as new WLAN standards, cloud-based WLAN solutions, AI and ML integration, IoT devices, and wireless security threats ### Call to action If you are interested in becoming a wireless network engineer and earning the Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 certification, we encourage you to take action now and start your preparation journey. You can use the online training resources that we have recommended in this article to learn the exam objectives and topics, practice your skills, and test your knowledge. You can also join the Cisco Learning Network community to interact with other learners and experts who can help you with your questions and doubts. You can also schedule your exam at a convenient time and location through Pearson VUE. Don't miss this opportunity to advance your career in wireless networking and prove your expertise with Cisco technologies. Start your preparation today and get ready to pass the Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 exam with flying colors! ## FAQs Here are some frequently asked questions about the Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 exam and certification: Q: How much does the Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 exam cost? A: The Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 exam costs $300 USD. Q: How long is the Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 certification valid for? A: The Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 certification is valid for three years. You need to recertify before the expiration date by passing one of the following exams: - Any current associate-level exam except for ICND1 - Any current professional-level or higher-level exam - Any current Cisco Specialist exam - Any current CCIE written exam - Any current CCAr interview Q: What are the prerequisites for taking the Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 exam? A: There are no formal prerequisites for taking the Cisco CCNA Wireless 200-355 exam. However, you should have at least one year of experience in networking or IT field, a basic understanding of networking concepts such as TCP/IP, OSI model, routing protocols, switching protocols, subnetting, VLANs, and some familiarity with wireless networking concepts such as RF principles, antenna types, WLAN standards, WLAN components. Q: What are the benefits of using CBT Nuggets for preparing fo