IS4505 Wireless Networking

This course is designed to introduce students to a broad range of wireless networking topics essential to understanding the IEEE STD 802.11, and related technologies and tasks necessary to install, manage and support wireless local area networks (WLAN).  Upon successful completion of the course, students will be prepared to take the CWNA certificate examination if so desired.  Students will gain knowledge of evolving RF/WiFi technologies, link budget planning, and OSI layer 1 and 2 networking architectures which are highly relevant and extensible to other networking domains.  The course's coverage of networking principles (i.e. PHY/MAC layer frames, packets and POE) and electrical engineering (i.e., RF math, signal, antenna concepts, and link budget analyses) nicely complement the CS/EO prerequisites.  The course also introduces students to a variety of emerging tactical wireless technologies and RF planning tools currently fielded by the joint force.   Prerequisites:  IS/CS3502.  EO3502 and IW3450 are excellent precursor courses, but they are not required.  

Prerequisite

IS3502 or CS3502 and EO3502 or IW3450 or consent of instructor.

Lecture Hours

3

Lab Hours

2

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon course completion, students will possess a thorough understanding of the tasks necessary to plan, install, manage, secure, and support wireless local area networks (WLAN).  Students will also be prepared to take the CWNA certificate examination if so desired.  

Specifically, students will obtain significant knowledge and understanding of:

  • Wireless standards and related organizations that facilitate, manage, and control wireless spectrum and communications.
  • Radio frequency (RF) fundamentals.
  • RF Signal and Antenna concepts and technologies.
  • RF Components, measurements, and mathematics.
  • RF Link budget calculations and related software (i.e., SPEED).
  • Wireless networks and spread spectrum technologies.
  • Wireless LAN technologies.
  • 802.11 Medium Access and Medium Access Control.
  • MIMO Technologies.
  • WLAN architectures.
  • Power over Ethernet.
  • WLAN Design Concepts.
  • Wireless Site Survey planning and validation.
  • WLAN troubleshooting.
  • WLAN security and security architectures.
  • Emergent tactical wireless network communication devices to include 5G.
  • Familiarity with related software applications (Wireshark, OmniPeek, SPEED, ExtremeNetworks Site Survey, and others).