CWNA-109 Questions and Answers

Weak signal strength is the likely cause of the low data rate issue for the client that has a signal strength of -84 dBm and a noise floor of -96 dBm. The client is an 802.11ac client and connects to an 802.11ac AP. Both the client and AP are 2x2:2 devices. Signal strength is the measure of how strong the RF signal is at the receiver. Signal strength can affect the reliability and performance of the wireless connection, as well as the data rate and throughput of the traffic. The higher the signal strength, the better the signal quality and the higher the data rate. The lower the signal strength, the worse the signal quality and the lower the data rate.

The data rate of an 802.11ac connection depends on several factors, such as channel bandwidth, modulation and coding scheme (MCS), spatial streams, guard interval, and beamforming. However, these factors are also influenced by the signal strength, as they require a certain signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) to operate properly. SNR is the ratio of the signal strength to the noise floor, which is the measure of the background noise or interference in the RF environment. The higher the SNR, the more robust and efficient the communication. The lower the SNR, the more prone and vulnerable to errors and retries.

According to the CWNA Official Study Guide , Table 3.7, page 112, an 802.11ac connection with a channel bandwidth of 80 MHz, an MCS of 9, two spatial streams, a short guard interval, and no beamforming can achieve a maximum data rate of 867 Mbps. However, this data rate requires a minimum SNR of 30 dB to maintain a sufficient signal quality. If the signal strength is -84 dBm and the noise floor is -96 dBm, then the SNR is only 12 dB (-84 dBm - (-96 dBm) = 12 dB), which is far below the required SNR for this data rate. Therefore, the data rate will drop significantly to match the lower SNR and signal quality.

To solve this problem, the signal strength should be increased to improve the SNR and data rate. This can be done by adjusting the output power or channel assignment of the AP or client, relocating or reorienting some APs or antennas to reduce attenuation or interference, updating or replacing some faulty or outdated hardware or software components, etc. References: , Chapter 3, page 112; , Section 3.2

The BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier) is typically mapped to an AP’s MAC address if a single BSS is implemented. The BSSID is a unique identifier that distinguishes one BSS from another within the same RF medium. It is usually derived from the MAC address of the AP’s radio interface, but it can also be manually configured or randomly generated by some vendors. The BSSID is used by client stations to associate with an AP and to send and receive frames within a BSS. References: , Chapter 1, page 24; , Section 1.2

An immediate concern that you note after hearing this information is that the power budget in the edge switches must be carefully planned and monitored based on the number of supported PoE devices. PoE stands for Power over Ethernet and is a technology that allows Ethernet switches to deliver power along with data to devices such as VoIP phones and 802.11 access points. PoE devices are classified into different classes based on their power consumption and output. The edge switches have a limited power budget that determines how many PoE devices they can support simultaneously. If the power budget is exceeded, some PoE devices may not receive enough power or may shut down unexpectedly. Therefore, it is important to plan and monitor the power budget in the edge switches based on the number and class of PoE devices connected to them. Using Ether-channel, placing switches in optimal locations, or avoiding distortion are not immediate concerns related to PoE devices. References: [CWNP Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 234; [CWNA: Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 224.

In addition to coverage analysis results, what should be included in a post-deployment site survey report to ensure WLAN users experience acceptable performance is Capacity analysis results. Capacity analysis is a method of testing the ability of the WLAN to support the expected number and type of users, devices, and applications. Capacity analysis can help to determine the optimal number and placement of access points, the appropriate channel and power settings, the required QoS policies, and the expected throughput and latency levels. Capacity analysis results can help to verify that the WLAN meets the performance requirements and service level agreements (SLAs) of the organization. References: [CWNP Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 548; [CWNA: Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 518.

TVHT stands for Television Very High Throughput and it is a PHY defined by the 802.11af amendment. It uses the TV white space (TVWS) spectrum in the VHF and UHF bands between 54 and 790 MHz, which are not in use by broadcast video signals at the time. It can provide long-range and low-power connectivity for WLAN devices.

The term used to describe the problem in this configuration is Co-Channel Interference (CCI)1. CCI occurs when multiple access points are on the same or overlapping channels, causing interference and degradation in network performance1. In this case, one AP is on channel 1 and the other is on channel 2, which are overlapping channels, leading to CCI1.

The inverse square law states that the signal strength of an RF wave is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source. This means that as the distance from the transmitter increases, the signal strength decreases rapidly.

 VSWR stands for Voltage Standing Wave Ratio, which is a measure of how well the impedance of the RF cable and connectors matches the impedance of the transmitter and the antenna. Impedance is the opposition to the flow of alternating current in an RF circuit, and it depends on the frequency, resistance, capacitance, and inductance of the components. A perfect impedance match would have a VSWR of 1:1, meaning that all the power is transferred from the transmitter to the antenna, and none is reflected back. However, in reality, there is always some degree of mismatch, which causes some power to be reflected back to the transmitter, creating standing waves along the cable. This reduces the efficiency and performance of the wireless system, and can also damage the transmitter. Excessive VSWR can be caused by using poor quality or damaged cables and connectors, or by using components that have different impedance ratings123. References: CWNA-109 Study Guide, Chapter 2: Radio Frequency Fundamentals, page 90; CWNA-109 Study Guide, Chapter 2: Radio Frequency Fundamentals, page 86; CWNP website, CWNA Certification.

Impedance is the measure of opposition to the flow of alternating current (AC) in a circuit. Impedance mismatch occurs when the impedance of the radio does not match the impedance of the antenna or the cable. This causes some of the transmitted or received signal to be reflected back, resulting in a loss of power and efficiency. The voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) is a metric that indicates the amount of impedance mismatch in a transmission line. A higher VSWR means a higher impedance mismatch and a lower signal quality. A VSWR of 1:1 is ideal, meaning there is no impedance mismatch and no reflected power. A VSWR of 2:1 means that for every 2 units of forward power, there is 1 unit of reflected power12.

The other options are not correct because they do not affect the VSWR in RF cables. A high gain yagi antenna or a high gain parabolic dish antenna can increase the signal strength and directionality, but they do not cause impedance mismatch in the cable. Radio output power above 100 mW but below 400 mW is within the acceptable range for most WLAN devices and does not cause excessive VSWR in the cable3.

FT (Fast Transition) is an IEEE 802.11 standard method for fast roaming. FT is defined in the IEEE 802.11r amendment and is also known as Fast BSS Transition (FBT) or Fast Secure Roaming. FT is a feature that allows a client station to quickly switch from one AP to another within the same ESS (Extended Service Set) without having to re-authenticate and re-associate with each AP. This reduces the latency and packet loss that may occur during roaming, thus improving the user experience and maintaining the security of the connection. FT works by using pre-authentication and key caching mechanisms that allow the client station and the APs to exchange security information before the actual roaming occurs. This way, when the client station decides to roam to a new AP, it can use a fast reassociation request and response that contain only a few fields, instead of a full authentication and association exchange that require more time and data. References: 1, Chapter 9, page 367; 2, Section 6.3

Sensors should be deployed in critical areas where WLAN performance must be high for best results when using a WLAN monitoring solution that utilizes distributed sensor devices. A WLAN monitoring solution is a system that collects, analyzes, and reports on the status and performance of a WLAN. A WLAN monitoring solution can use different methods to gather data from the WLAN, such as embedded software agents, external hardware probes, or distributed sensor devices. Distributed sensor devices are dedicated devices that are deployed throughout the WLAN coverage area to monitor the wireless traffic and environment. Distributed sensor devices can perform various functions, such as scanning the spectrum, capturing wireless frames, measuring signal quality, detecting rogue access points, testing connectivity, and generating alerts. Distributed sensor devices can provide more accurate and comprehensive data than other methods, but they also require more planning and deployment costs. Therefore, it is important to deploy sensors strategically in critical areas where WLAN performance must be high, such as high-density zones, high-priority applications, or high-security locations. By deploying sensors in critical areas, the WLAN monitoring solution can ensure optimal WLAN performance and reliability in those areas and identify and resolve any issues or problems that may arise. The other options are not the best places to deploy sensors for best results. Deploying sensors in switching closets is not effective because sensors need to be close to the wireless medium to monitor it properly. Deploying sensors every 5 meters and alongside each AP is not efficient because sensors may overlap or interfere with each other and cause unnecessary redundancy or complexity. Deploying sensors above the plenum on each floor is not practical because sensors may not capture the wireless traffic and environment accurately due to attenuation or reflection from the ceiling materials or objects. References: CWNA-109 Study Guide, Chapter 14: Troubleshooting Wireless LANs, page 4831

VHT TXOP (Very High Throughput Transmit Opportunity) power save is a feature introduced with the 802.11ac amendment, which is designed to improve the power efficiency of devices connected to a WLAN. This feature enhances battery life in several ways, compared to the legacy Power Save mode:

Enhanced Power Saving: VHT TXOP power save allows devices to disable more components of the WLAN transceiver when they are in a low power state. This reduces the power consumption during periods when the device is not actively transmitting or receiving data.

Intelligent Wake-Up Mechanisms: It employs more sophisticated mechanisms for devices to determine when they need to wake up and listen to the channel, further reducing unnecessary power usage.

Optimized Operation: This power save mode is optimized for the high-throughput environment of 802.11ac networks, allowing devices to efficiently manage power while maintaining high performance.

Legacy Power Save mode, introduced in earlier versions of the 802.11 standards, does not provide the same level of component disablement or the intelligent wake-up mechanisms found in VHT TXOP power save, making option B the correct answer.

The center frequency of channel 4 in the 2.4 GHz band is 2.427 GHz (2427 MHz). The center frequency of a channel is the midpoint of its frequency range, where the signal strength is highest and most concentrated. The center frequency of channel 1 in the 2.4 GHz band is 2.412 GHz (2412 MHz), as given in the question. The center frequency of each subsequent channel is obtained by adding 5 MHz to the previous channel’s center frequency, since the channels are spaced 5 MHz apart from each other in this band. Therefore, to find the center frequency of channel 4, we need to add 15 MHz (5 MHz x 3) to the center frequency of channel 1:

2.412 GHz + 0.015 GHz = 2.427 GHz

Alternatively, we can use a formula to calculate the center frequency of any channel in the 2.4 GHz band:

Center frequency (GHz) = 2.407 + (0.005 x Channel number)

Using this formula for channel 4, we get:

Center frequency (GHz) = 2.407 + (0.005 x 4)

Center frequency (GHz) = 2.407 + 0.02

Center frequency (GHz) = 2.427 References: 1, Chapter 3, page 85; 2, Section 3.2

A possible cause of a sudden change in performance for the laptop computers is that a new tenant in the building has set their AP to the same RF channel that your customer is using. This can create co-channel interference (CCI), which is a situation where two or more APs or devices use the same or overlapping channels in the same area. CCI can degrade the performance of WLANs by increasing contention, collisions, retransmissions, and latency. CCI can also reduce the effective range and throughput of WLANs by lowering the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). To avoid or mitigate CCI, it is recommended to use non-overlapping channels, adjust transmit power levels, or implement channel management techniques such as dynamic frequency selection (DFS) or load balancing. The sky condition, antenna position, or Bluetooth headset are not likely to cause a sudden change in performance for the laptop computers. References: [CWNP Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 81; [CWNA: Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 71.

Passive Gain is the increase of RF energy in an intentional direction with the use of an antenna. It is achieved by focusing the same amount of power into a smaller area, resulting in a higher power density and a stronger signal. Passive Gain does not require any additional power or amplification, but rather depends on the antenna’s physical characteristics, such as size, shape, and orientation. Passive Gain is also expressed in decibels (dB) and is related to the antenna’s beamwidth and directivity. References: 1, Chapter 2, page 63; 2, Section 2.3

 The frame type that is used to reserve the wireless medium for the transmission of high data rate frames that may not be understood by all clients connected to the BSS is RTS. RTS stands for Request to Send and is a control frame that is sent by a station to request access to the medium for a specified duration. The RTS frame contains the source and destination MAC addresses, as well as a Network Allocation Vector (NAV) value that indicates how long the medium will be occupied. The destination station responds with a Clear to Send (CTS) frame that echoes the NAV value and grants permission to the source station. All other stations in the BSS hear either the RTS or CTS frame and update their NAV timers accordingly, deferring their transmissions until the medium is free. The RTS/CTS mechanism can be used to prevent hidden node problems, reduce collisions, and protect high data rate frames that use features such as 802.11n or 802.11ac that may not be compatible with legacy stations. ACK, Beacon, and PS-Poll are not used to reserve the medium for high data rate frames. References: [CWNP Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 112; [CWNA: Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 102.

https://7signal.com/802-11ac-migration-part-2-whats-nobodys-telling-you-about-80mhz-and-160mhz-channel-bonding

The clients are all 802.11n STAs or lower is the likely cause of this behavior. If a WLAN with 100 802.11ac access points is configured to use 80 MHz channels, but only 40 MHz communications are seen in a particular BSS, it means that the clients in that BSS do not support 80 MHz channels. This could be because they are using older standards, such as 802.11n or lower, that do not support 80 MHz channels. Alternatively, they could be using newer standards, such as 802.11ac or ax, but have their channel width settings limited to 40 MHz or lower due to device capabilities or configuration options. In either case, the AP will adapt to the client’s channel width and use only 40 MHz of the 80 MHz allocated bandwidth to communicate with them. This will reduce the potential throughput and efficiency of the WLAN. References: , Chapter 3, page 111; , Section 3.2

OFDM is a modulation method that divides the channel bandwidth into multiple subcarriers, each carrying a single data symbol. This allows for higher data rates and more robust transmissions in multipath environments. OFDM was first introduced in the 802.11a standard, which operates in the 5 GHz band and supports data rates up to 54 Mbps. Later, the 802.11g standard adopted OFDM for the 2.4 GHz band, and the 802.11n and 802.11ac standards enhanced OFDM with features such as MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output), channel bonding, and higher-order modulation schemes to achieve data rates up to 600 Mbps and 6.9 Gbps, respectively. These standards are collectively known as the ERP (Extended Rate PHY), HT (High Throughput), and VHT (Very High Throughput) PHYs . References: [CWNA-109 Study Guide], Chapter 4: Radio Frequency Signal and Antenna Concepts, page 163; [CWNA-109 Study Guide], Chapter 4: Radio Frequency Signal and Antenna Concepts, page 157.

“Effective, or Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP) is the maximum amount of power that could be radiated from an antenna, given its antenna gain and the transmitter power of the RF system.”

Also: “Effective Isotropic Radiated Power or Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) is the measured power radiated in a single direction by an ideal isotropic antenna. … It is the antenna’s maximum power output in the direction with the highest antenna gain.”

Airtime Utilization is a per-channel statistic that defines what percentage of the channel is currently being used, and what percentage is therefore free. Airtime usage can come from: Data traffic to and from client devices. Interference from WiFi and non-WiFi sources. Management overhead from APs and client devices. https://wyebot.com/2019/06/06/understanding-airtime-utilization/

The beamwidth of an RF antenna is the angular measure of how wide the main lobe of radiation is. The main lobe is the area where the signal strength is highest and most concentrated. The beamwidth is calculated at the points where the main lobe decreases power by 3 dB, which means it is half of the maximum power. The beamwidth can be measured in both horizontal and vertical planes, depending on how the antenna is oriented. The horizontal beamwidth is also called azimuth, while the vertical beamwidth is also called elevation. The beamwidth patterns on an antenna polar chart indicate how the RF energy is distributed in different directions. References: 1, Chapter 2, page 66; 2, Section 2.3

 iPerf is an open source tool that is designed to perform a throughput test on the WLAN. iPerf is a cross-platform command-line tool that can measure the bandwidth and quality of network links by generating TCP or UDP traffic between two endpoints. iPerf can run as either a server or a client mode, depending on whether it receives or sends traffic. iPerf can also report various metrics of network performance, such as throughput, jitter, packet loss, delay, and TCP window size. To perform a throughput test on the WLAN using iPerf, one device needs to run iPerf in server mode and another device needs to run iPerf in client mode. The devices need to be connected to the same WLAN network and have their IP addresses configured properly. The device running iPerf in client mode needs to specify the IP address of the device running iPerf in server mode as well as other parameters such as protocol, port number, duration, interval, bandwidth limit, packet size, etc. The device running iPerf in server mode will listen for incoming connections from the client device and send back acknowledgments or responses depending on the protocol used. The device running iPerf in client mode will send traffic to the server device according to the specified parameters and measure the network performance. The device running iPerf in client mode will display the results of the throughput test at the end of the test or at regular intervals during the test. The results can show the average, minimum, maximum, and instantaneous throughput of the network link, as well as other metrics such as jitter, packet loss, delay, and TCP window size. References: 1, Chapter 7, page 287; 2, Section 4.3

An ACK (Acknowledgement) frame is a short control frame that is sent by the receiver of a data or management frame to confirm that the frame was received correctly. The ACK frame is sent after a SIFS (Short Interframe Space) interval, which is the shortest time gap between frames in 802.11. If the transmitter does not receive an ACK frame within a specified time, it assumes that the frame was not delivered and must be retransmitted. This is part of the 802.11 reliability mechanism that ensures reliable data delivery over an unreliable wireless medium . References: [CWNA-109 Study Guide], Chapter 5: IEEE 802.11 Medium Access, page 209; [CWNA-109 Study Guide], Chapter 5: IEEE 802.11 Medium Access, page 203.

The guard interval is a short period of time inserted between the symbols of an OFDM signal to prevent inter-symbol interference and improve the robustness of the transmission1. The guard interval can have different values depending on the 802.11 standard and the configuration of the device. For example, 802.11n supports two guard intervals: 800 ns (normal) and 400 ns (short)2. 802.11ac supports the same guard intervals as 802.11n, plus an optional 200 ns guard interval for 80 MHz and 160 MHz channels3. 802.11ax supports three guard intervals: 800 ns, 1600 ns, and 3200 ns4.

The guard interval affects the data rate because it determines the duration of each symbol. A shorter guard interval means more symbols can be transmitted in a given time, resulting in a higher data rate. However, a shorter guard interval also means less protection against inter-symbol interference, which may degrade the signal quality and increase the error rate. Therefore, there is a trade-off between data rate and reliability when choosing the guard interval.

The MCS tables for HT and VHT PHY devices show the data rates for different combinations of modulation, coding, channel width, spatial streams, and guard intervals. For example, for a VHT device using MCS 9 with QAM-256 modulation, 5/6 coding rate, 80 MHz channel width, and one spatial stream, the data rate is 433.3 Mbps with a normal guard interval (800 ns) and 486.7 Mbps with a short guard interval (400 ns)2. Therefore, the guard interval impacts the data rate according to the MCS tables.

PoE has different standards that define different power levels for PSEs and PDs. The original standard, IEEE 802.3af, defines two classes of PSEs: Class 3 (15.4 W) and Class 4 (30 W). The newer standard, IEEE 802.3at, also known as PoE+, defines four classes of PSEs: Class 0 (15.4 W), Class 1 (4 W), Class 2 (7 W), and Class 3 (12.95 W). The power level received at the PD is always lower than the power level provided by the PSE, due to cable resistance and power dissipation. The IEEE standards specify the minimum power level that must be received at the PD for each class of PSE. For a Class 4 PSE, the minimum power level received at the PD is 25.5 W910. References: CWNA-109 Study Guide, Chapter 7: Power over Ethernet (PoE), page 295; CWNA-109 Study Guide, Chapter 7: Power over Ethernet (PoE), page 289.

When performing a post-deployment validation survey for voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi), an action that must be performed is Application analysis with an active phone call on a VoWiFi handset. Application analysis is a method of testing the performance of a specific application over the WLAN by measuring parameters such as throughput, latency, jitter, packet loss, MOS score, and R-value. Application analysis with an active phone call on a VoWiFi handset can help to evaluate the quality of service (QoS) and user experience of VoWiFi calls over the WLAN. It can also help to identify any issues or bottlenecks that may affect VoWiFi calls such as interference, roaming delays, or insufficient coverage. References: [CWNP Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 549; [CWNA: Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam CWNA-109], page 519.

Refraction is the bending of an RF signal as it passes through a material of different density. Refraction can cause the signal to change its direction and angle of arrival. For example, when a light beam passes from air to water, it bends because of the difference in the refractive index of the two mediums. Similarly, when an RF signal passes from one medium to another, such as from air to glass, it can bend due to the change in the dielectric constant of the materials12. References: 1: CWNA-109 Official Study Guide, page 67 2: Refraction

A high-density deployment is a wireless network that is designed to support a large number of users and devices in a relatively small area. This type of deployment is often used in enterprise environments, such as offices, schools, and hospitals.

The use of semi-directional antennas in the deployment described in the question is a good indication that it is a high-density deployment. Semi-directional antennas can be used to focus the signal from an access point in a specific direction. This can help to reduce interference and improve performance in high-density environments.

The other answer choices are less likely to be correct for the following reasons:

SOHO (small office/home office) deployments are typically smaller and less complex than high-density deployments.

Residential deployments are typically even smaller and less complex than SOHO deployments.

Standard office deployments may be high-density, but they may also be lower-density.

It is important to note that the type of deployment is not determined solely by the output power of the access points. However, the use of 10 mW of output power on the 2.4 GHz radios and 20 mW of output power on the 5GHz radios is also consistent with a high-density deployment.

Here are some additional tips for deploying a high-density wireless network:

Use a site survey to determine the optimal placement of access points.

Configure the access points to use non-overlapping channels.

Use semi-directional or directional antennas to focus the signal and reduce interference.

Implement a wireless intrusion prevention system (WIPS) to detect and mitigate rogue access points and other security threats.

MU-MIMO capabilities of the bridges are not a factor considered when calculating the Link Budget for an outdoor point-to-point WLAN bridge link. The Link Budget is a calculation of the expected signal strength at the receiver based on various factors that affect the RF transmission. Some of these factors are operating frequency, transmit power, receive antenna gain, free space path loss, cable loss, connector loss, and environmental loss. MU-MIMO stands for Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output, which is a technology that allows multiple devices to communicate simultaneously using multiple spatial streams. MU-MIMO is not relevant for a point-to-point link, where there are only two devices involved. References: 1, Chapter 2, page 59; 2, Section 2.2

VHT stands for Very High Throughput, which is a physical layer (PHY) specification that supports the 5 GHz frequency band and supports 80 MHz channels. VHT is used by the IEEE 802.11ac standard, which is also known as Wi-Fi 5. VHT allows for higher data rates and more spatial streams than the previous HT (High Throughput) PHY, which is used by the IEEE 802.11n standard, also known as Wi-Fi 4. HT supports the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, but only supports up to 40 MHz channels12

The other options are not correct because:

ERP (option C) stands for Extended Rate PHY, which is a physical layer specification that supports the 2.4 GHz frequency band and supports up to 20 MHz channels. ERP is used by the IEEE 802.11g standard, which is also known as Wi-Fi 3. ERP allows for higher data rates than the previous DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) PHY, which is used by the IEEE 802.11b standard, also known as Wi-Fi 234

OFDM (option D) stands for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, which is a modulation technique that divides a signal into multiple subcarriers that are spaced orthogonally to each other. OFDM is not a physical layer specification, but a common feature of many PHY specifications, including ERP, HT, and VHT. OFDM allows for higher spectral efficiency and robustness against multipath interference than the previous CCK (Complementary Code Keying) modulation technique used by DSSS34