| Validate and Optimize the WLAN | 20% | 1. Perform an RF validation survey -Ensure coverage requirements -Ensure capacity requirements -Evaluate CCI impact 2. Perform client performance testing -Application testing -Roaming testing -Connectivity testing 3. Recommend and/or perform appropriate physical adjustments -AP locations -Antenna locations 4. Recommend and/or perform appropriate configuration adjustments -Transmitter RF output power -RF channel selection -RF channel bandwidth 5. Select remediation solutions for problems discovered during post-validation -RF coverage problems -Capacity problems -QoS problems -Security configuration errors -Client connectivity issues -Resolve interference issues 6. Implement knowledge transfer and hand-off -End user training -Support staff training -Solution documentation and assets (digital or physical assets, guides, floorplans, configuration documents) -Final meeting (Q&A and hand-off) |
| Define Specifications for the WLAN | 25% | 1. Collect and use business requirements -Business use cases and justification -User requirements -Regulatory compliance -Industry compliance 2. Collect, define, and use technical requirements -Location services such as RTLS -Latency requirements -Signal strength requirements -Capacity requirements -Security requirements - BYOD and guest access
- Roaming
- Monitoring
- Authentication and encryption
-Discover applications and their specific requirements -Discover WLAN upgrade requirements when applicable -Define bridge link requirements when applicable -Voice over WLAN (VoWLAN) Requirements -Identify client devices including most Important and least capable device -Requirement Areas 3. Identify design constraints -Regulatory compliance -Aesthetics -Budget -Architectural constraints -Mounting restrictions -Access restrictions -Vendor selection -Time constraints -Building codes and safety codes 4. Collect, use, and deliver essential documents where applicable -Validated floorplans -Network diagrams -Existing AP locations -Network closet locations -Existing cabling standards -Existing cable drop locations -Switch capabilities and capacity -Existing network services including DNS, DHCP, NTP and authentication servers -PoE capabilities and power budget -Existing wireless system data -Previous design/survey documentation -Site survey deliverables 5. Define requirement areas including essential metrics for each requirement -Capacity -Client device types -Applications and their requirements -SSIDs and WLAN profiles -Security settings -Understand the various issues introduced by common vertical markets such as healthcare, education, retail, hospitality, high-density scenarios, public hotspots and outdoor networks 6. Implement effective project management -Statement of Work (SoW) -Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) -Project plans -Resource management -Role definition |
| Deploy the WLAN | 10% | 1. Ensure proper understanding and implementation of design documentation -Implementation meeting (explain design decisions to implementers and ensure understanding of design deployment) -Distribute documents to appropriate individuals -Select qualified implementation technicians when required 2. Perform validation and optimization tasks during deployment -Verify proper AP installation location -Verify PoE provisioning requirements are met -Verify channel selections and output power -Verify aesthetic requirements are met -Verify proper security configuration 3. Recommend or perform essential deployment tasks -Understand and perform installation procedures for different WLAN architectures (cloud-based, controller-based, WNMS, autonomous) -Infrastructure configuration supporting the WLAN (DHCP, DNS, NTP, switches and routers) -Channel assignment, automatic radio management, and output power configuration -Installation procedures for cloud-based APs, controller-based APs, WNMS APs, and autonomous APs |
| Design the WLAN | 45% | 1. Define WLAN architectures and select the appropriate architecture for a design -Controller-based (physical and virtual controllers) -Distributed (cloud-based and local WNMS) -Standalone/Autonomous APs -Dynamic vs. static channel assignment -Dynamic radio management -Software defined radio -RF profiles -Select and/or recommend the appropriate equipment for the design (APs, antennas, controllers, managed services) 2. Produce a design and communicate with appropriate individuals related to the design -Use WLAN design software including the common features found in the solutions provided by various vendors - Import and calibrate floor plans
- Set project parameters
- Select and place APs and antennas manually or using automated placement tools and define configuration parameters
- Adjust AP settings to accommodate design requirements
- Define appropriate requirements areas using software features
- Define channel plans (MCA or SCA, channel widths, frequency bands, output power levels, DFS and TPC requirements) including solutions for CCI, adjacent channel interference (ACI), non-overlapping ACI, and non-802.11 interferers within regulatory constraints
- Document cabling requirements
-Select and use appropriate tools for a design project - Site survey hardware (camera, marking tools, spare batteries, survey trays, 2-way radios, USB adapters, USB hubs, external antennas)
- Distance measuring tools (laser measure, tape measure, measuring wheel, angle finder, mapping software)
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (hardhat, steel-toe shoes, glasses, gloves, clean suits, masks, high visibility clothing)
- Use WLAN analysis tools for appropriate use cases in WLAN design (spectrum analyzer, protocol analyzer, scanner/discovery tools, cable testers)
- Use performance measurement tools to assist in WLAN design (throughput testers, QoS assessment, network functionality)
- Perform client measurements and analysis to determine client capabilities (received signal measurements, roaming behavior, QoS capabilities)
- Gather attenuation measurements for building materials and objects
- Understand the differences between AP-on-a-Stick surveys and predictive modeling software and select the appropriate solution between them for a design project
-Perform a pre-design site survey when required - Select and perform the appropriate type of site survey (manual active, manual passive, AP-on-a-Stick)
- Use the appropriate site survey tools during the survey
- Gain appropriate access and clearance to perform the survey
- Document metrics and other information collected during the survey (RSSI, SNR, noise floor, interference, cell coverage, application and connectivity data such as data rates, latency, loss, and retries)
- Perform survey procedures for bridge links when required
-Design special WLAN deployments, including branch and remote offices, mesh networks, and bridge links -Select among common vendor features and make configuration recommendations in a design scenario (band steering, automatic channel selection, load balancing, VLAN configuration) -Design for different client and application types and the constraints they introduce (tablets, barcode scanners, VoIP handsets, laptops, ID badges, location tracking systems, voice and video) -Ensure proper end-to-end QoS is understood and implemented including WMM, wired QoS, QoS markings and queues -Define and recommend proper security solutions in the design including monitoring, authentication servers, EAP methods, authentication, and encryption -Design for secure roaming including 802.11-2016 FT roaming, SCA roaming, vendor roaming solutions, and client support issues 3. Create, distribute, and communicate design documentation -Bill of Materials (BoM) -Design report -Physical installation guide |