Certified Wireless Technology Specialist: Hardware Certs

The Certified Wireless Technology Specialist, or CWTS, is the entry-level credential for the Certified Wireless Networking Professional (CWNP) program which includes Administrator and Expert level credentials, as well as specialist certs in the areas of wireless networking design, analysis, and security.
 
It is the fastest growing area in local and short haul networking today, and is starting to make serious inroads into wide-area networking as well. Wireless networking skills and knowledge are in high demand, and involve hands-on, in-depth knowledge of and interaction with wireless networking devices and interfaces. The CWTS exam is also known as Wi-Fi Fundamentals, and that’s what it covers. Topics include Wi-Fi technology, standards and certifications, as well as related hardware and software elements.

There’s also a unit on radio frequency (RF) fundamentals and characteristics, site survey and installation for wireless networking, related applications, support and troubleshooting, and basic security and compliance principles and practices. Nearly all these topics receive equal emphasis on the exam, though wireless hardware and software get somewhat more coverage. 

Table 4: Certified Wireless Technology Specialist (CWTS)

Perhaps not surprisingly, it’s hard to get into an IT technician position these days without some knowledge of networking in general, and wireless networking in particular. Earning a CWTS confers useful skills and knowledge in this important technology area, and can also serve as a stepping stone to more advanced credentials in the CWNP program.