Become A Better Wi-Fi Engineer in 2017

Becoming a better Wi-Fi engineer with this list of resources. Even if you are just getting started in Wi-Fi, you should check out each resource.

Happy New Year! We made it to 2017! I am so glad we are done with 2016.

I spent a lot of time in 2016 studying for the CWNP exams working my way up to CWNE. But in 2017, I’d like to focus on becoming a better Wi-Fi engineer.

What does that mean? I’m talking about really learning how Wi-Fi works. Understanding the technical details of creating a good experience for the end users. In addition, we have to apply what we learn in the field. Whether that is improving your home Wi-Fi, installing Wi-Fi for a church, for your office, or doing high density Wi-Fi.

So in this episode, I want to outline a lot of resources that are available to help us become better Wi-Fi engineers.

Wi-Fi Resources

• CWNP Books
  • CWNA
  • CWAP
  • CWDP
  • CWSP
  • Get the previous editions as well

• The 802.11 books by Matthew Gast
  • 802.11 Wireless Networks Definitive Guide
  • 802.11n: A Survival Guide: Wi-Fi Above 100 Mbps
  • 802.11ac: A Survival Guide: Wi-Fi at Gigabit and Beyond

• IEEE 802.11 Standard
  • 802.11-2012
  • 802.11ac-2013
  • 802.11ad-2012

• Blogs
  • MRN-CCWIW
  • Revolution Wi-Fi
  • WLAN Pros
  • My 802.11
  • SC Wi-Fi

• Get yourself an AP
  • Meraki webinar
  • Open-Mesh webinar
  • Engenius (I may have been wrong about the free webinar but they have a trial program)

• Wireshark
  • Start capturing frames
  • Airtool is a good application for macOS
  • Use this tool from Riverbed for Windows

• Vendor-specific
  • CCNA Wireless
  • CCNP Wireless
  • Aruba has some good docs
  • Read Cisco configuration guides

• Get out there and volunteer your services
  • Install Wi-Fi for someone in need, such as your local church

• Know your MCS
  • http://mcsindex.com/

• Cisco Live Videos

• Get ahold of some Cisco APs and install the virtual controller trial

• Do as much work as possible, try to work out the issues and if you need further clarification or guidance, reach out to the community.

• Find ways to do true validation testing with end users and their devices.

• Secure networks with 802.1X, I know easier said than done.