Certified Wireless Design Professional (CWDP®)

The Certified Wireless Design Professional (CWDP®) certification is a professional-level wireless LAN certification for the CWNP Program. The CWDP is highly respected within the IT industry and CWDP-certified candidates hold a significant advantage in terms of career and salary advancement. Administered by CWNP, the industry leader for enterprise Wi-Fi training and certification, the CWDP exam is for those operating in large WLAN deployments. 

Target Audience

• IT Professionals.
• And, all those are interested in the Certified Wireless Design Professional (CWDP®).

The Certified Wireless Design Professional (CWDP®) exam consists of 60 Multiple-choice Questions and is a professional level exam as the name suggests. The duration of the exam is 90 minutes and you must pass an online exam with a score of 70% or higher. The CWDP is a three-year certification, and it is renewed by passing the most recent version of the CWSP exam again. The cost of the exam is $275 USD

CWDP: Certified Wireless Design Professional Interview Questions

Eligibility Criterion

To earn a CWSP certification, you must hold a current and valid CWNA credential.

Exam Name:	Certified Wireless Design Professional (CWDP®)
Exam Number:	CWDP-303
Number of Questions:	60
Exam Format:	Multiple-choice
Time Give:	90 minutes
Available languages:	English
Exam Fee:	$275.00 (USD)
Validity	3 years

Scheduling The Exams

Now, let us understand the registration process for the exam

Registration Process

• To register for the exam visit your exam program’s homepage and log in if already register otherwise create a new account.
• Once, you have registered select the exam you’d like to schedule and fill in all the details.
• Click confirm to save all the changes and proceed to purchase the exam voucher and you have registered for the exam.

Exam Reschedule

• Visit your exam program’s homepage and sign in.
• Select the exam you’d like to reschedule or cancel from ‘Upcoming Appointments.’
• You will receive an email confirming any changes to your appointment.
• Don’t forget to click ‘Confirm Reschedule’ on the final screen to ensure your changes have been saved.

Test Taking

Pearson VUE 

• Most CWNP exams (with the exception of CWS and CWT) are taken at Pearson VUE testing centers located worldwide.  
• To schedule an exam or find a testing center near you, please visit the CWNP Pearson VUE website to create an account.

CWS and CWT

• Both CWS and CWT exams are hosted on our internal test-taking software.
• Exams are available to be taken anytime and must be taken in one single sitting.
• You will have all the information on how to log in to your account once you purchase a voucher.

Certified Wireless Design Professional (CWDP®) FAQs

Get all your Doubts and Queries resolved with Certified Wireless Design Professional (CWDP®) FAQs

Certified Wireless Design Professional (CWDP®) Course Outline

The Certified Wireless Design Professional (CWDP®) course outline is as follows:

1.0 Define Specifications for the WLAN – 25%

1.1 Collect and use business requirements
1.1.1 Business use cases and justification
1.1.2 User requirements
1.1.3 Regulatory compliance
1.1.4 Industry compliance

1.2 Collect, define, and use technical requirements
1.2.1 Location services such as RTLS
1.2.2 Latency requirements
1.2.3 Signal strength requirements
1.2.4 Capacity requirements
1.2.5 Security requirements
 BYOD and guest access
 Roaming
 Monitoring
 Authentication and encryption
1.2.6 Discover applications and their specific requirements
1.2.7 Discover WLAN upgrade requirements when applicable
1.2.8 Define bridge link requirements when applicable
1.2.9 Voice over WLAN (VoWLAN) Requirements
1.2.10 Identify client devices including most Important and least capable device
1.2.11 Requirement Areas

1.3 Identify design constraints
1.3.1 Regulatory compliance
1.3.2 Aesthetics
1.3.3 Budget
1.3.4 Architectural constraints
1.3.5 Mounting restrictions
1.3.6 Access restrictions
1.3.7 Vendor selection
1.3.8 Time constraints
1.3.9 Building codes and safety codes

1.4 Collect, use, and deliver essential documents where applicable
1.4.1 Validated floorplans
1.4.2 Network diagrams
1.4.3 Existing AP locations
1.4.4 Network closet locations
1.4.5 Existing cabling standards
1.4.6 Existing cable drop locations
1.4.7 Switch capabilities and capacity
1.4.8 Existing network services including DNS, DHCP, NTP and authentication servers
1.4.9 PoE capabilities and power budget
1.4.10 Existing wireless system data
1.4.11 Previous design/survey documentation
1.4.12 Site survey deliverables

1.5 Define requirement areas including essential metrics for each requirement
1.5.1 Capacity
1.5.2 Client device types
1.5.3 Applications and their requirements
1.5.4 SSIDs and WLAN profiles
1.5.5 Security settings
1.5.6 Understand the various issues introduced by common vertical markets such as healthcare, education, retail, hospitality, high-density scenarios, public hotspots, and outdoor networks

1.6 Implement effective project management
1.6.1 Statement of Work (SoW)
1.6.2 Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
1.6.3 Project plans
1.6.4 Resource management
1.6.5 Role definition

2.0 Design the WLAN – 45%

2.1 Define WLAN architectures and select the appropriate architecture for a design
2.1.1 Controller-based (physical and virtual controllers)
2.1.2 Distributed (cloud-based and local WNMS)
2.1.3 Standalone/Autonomous APs
2.1.4 Dynamic vs. static channel assignment
2.1.5 Dynamic radio management
2.1.6 Software defined radio
2.1.7 RF profiles
2.1.8 Select and/or recommend the appropriate equipment for the design (APs, antennas, controllers, managed services)

2.2 Produce a design and communicate with appropriate individuals related to the design
2.2.1 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

2.2.2 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

2.2.3 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

2.2.4 Design special WLAN deployments, including branch and remote offices, mesh networks, and bridge links
2.2.5 Select among common vendor features and make configuration recommendations in a design scenario (band steering, automatic channel selection, load balancing, VLAN configuration)
2.2.6 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)
2.2.7 Ensure proper end-to-end QoS is understood and implemented including WMM, wired QoS, QoS markings and queues
2.2.8 Define and recommend proper security solutions in the design including monitoring, authentication servers, EAP methods, authentication, and encryption
2.2.9 Design for secure roaming including 802.11-2016 FT roaming, SCA roaming, vendor roaming solutions, and client support issues
2.3 Create, distribute, and communicate design documentation
2.3.1 Bill of Materials (BoM)
2.3.2 Design report
2.3.3 Physical installation guide

3.0 Deploy the WLAN – 10%

3.1 Ensure proper understanding and implementation of design documentation
3.1.1 Implementation meeting (explain design decisions to implementers and ensure understanding of design deployment)
3.1.2 Distribute documents to appropriate individuals
3.1.3 Select qualified implementation technicians when required

3.2 Perform validation and optimization tasks during deployment
3.2.1 Verify proper AP installation location
3.2.2 Verify PoE provisioning requirements are met
3.2.3 Verify channel selections and output power
3.2.4 Verify aesthetic requirements are met
3.2.5 Verify proper security configuration

3.3 Recommend or perform essential deployment tasks
3.3.1 Understand and perform installation procedures for different WLAN architectures (cloud-based, controller-based, WNMS, autonomous)
3.3.2 Infrastructure configuration supporting the WLAN (DHCP, DNS, NTP, switches and routers)
3.3.3 Channel assignment, automatic radio management, and output power configuration
3.3.4 Installation procedures for cloud-based APs, controller-based APs, WNMS APs, and autonomous APs

4.0 Validate and Optimize the WLAN – 20%

4.1 Perform an RF validation survey
4.1.1 Ensure coverage requirements
4.1.2 Ensure capacity requirements
4.1.3 Evaluate CCI impact

4.2 Perform client performance testing
4.2.1 Application testing
4.2.2 Roaming testing
4.2.3 Connectivity testing

4.3 Recommend and/or perform appropriate physical adjustments
4.3.1 AP locations
4.3.2 Antenna locations

4.4 Recommend and/or perform appropriate configuration adjustments
4.4.1 Transmitter RF output power
4.4.2 RF channel selection
4.4.3 RF channel bandwidth

4.5 Select remediation solutions for problems discovered during post-validation
4.5.1 RF coverage problems
4.5.2 Capacity problems
4.5.3 QoS problems
4.5.4 Security configuration errors
4.5.5 Client connectivity issues
4.5.6 Resolve interference issues

4.6 Implement knowledge transfer and hand-off
4.6.1 End-user training
4.6.2 Support staff training
4.6.3 Solution documentation and assets (digital or physical assets, guides, floorplans, configuration documents)
4.6.4 Final meeting (Q&A and hand-off)

Certified Wireless Design Professional (CWDP®) Preparatory Guide

Now, that we have read about the Certified Wireless Design Professional (CWDP®) exam and its details, the next important step is to understand how to prepare for the exam. Preparing for any exam is not an easy task and requires consistent hard work, focus, and dedication. Certified Wireless Design Professional (CWDP®) exam is a step towards a bright and thriving career in the IT Industry. To clear this exam you need an intent eagerness and desire to learn. However, there are many exam resources available but you have to choose which is the best suitable for you. Our Preparatory Guide here will help you all along your journey and prepare you well for the exam.

Step-1 Review the Exam Objectives

Reviewing the exam objectives is an important step to ensure that nothing is left out. As mentioned earlier, going through the course outline is really important while preparing for any exam to make sure everything is covered. Furthermore, Familiarizing yourself with the exam objectives helps is grasping concepts faster. The Certified Wireless Design Professional (CWDP®) exam cover 4 topics namely-

• Define Specifications for the WLAN
• Design the WLAN
• Deploy the WLAN
• Validate and Optimize the WLAN

Step-2 Discover your Learning Resources

Study Guide

The Certified Wireless Design Professional (CWDP®) Study Guide will provide you complete clarity about the exam questions and how to approach them while preparing you from the scratch.

Reference Book

Books are your Best Friends when it comes to studying as they provide you with new insights that the study guides may not, giving you an extra edge over others. You can choose any book that suits your way of preparation. Make sure the content is understandable and the book offers you a lot of practice questions and has previous test papers. You can choose multiple books and can buy them or can refer to libraries, however, you should always look for books written by credible and authentic domain experts. You can refer to the following books

Classroom Training 

CWSP provides its candidates with Instructor-led classroom training which is the most effective way to prepare for any IT exam, including CWNP exams. Authorized CWNP Learning Centers use only CWNT certified instructors and the official CWNP courseware in their classes.

Online LIVE Training 

CWSP also provides Online Live training classes that require students and instructors to be online at the same time. Meetings and lectures occur at the same hour. During such live classes the students can meet their instructor live over the internet to discuss different topics or problems. In short, this gives you everything you get from in-person training except you don’t have to be there, and is a very effective and productive way to study in this digital age.

E-learning

TheCertified Wireless Design Professional (CWDP®) eLearning Bundle includes unlimited access to the e-learning program to prepare you for the exam. This bundle would consist of animated videos explaining important terms and concepts, Chapter questions to ensure learning, Interactive elements to assist in knowledge retention and many more.

Step-3 Join Online Communities

Joining an Online Community like the CWNP Discussion Forums is certainly an ideal way to know your actual stand in the competition. Here, you can interact with your competitors, and keep yourself focused. You can read from thousands of posts, questions, answers, and comments on real-world Wi-Fi scenarios. Also, multiple viewpoints make the stuff more dynamic and increase expand your domain. Moreover, these groups will help you stay up to date with the exam and will also boost your confidence.

Step-4 Practice tests

Once you are done with your preparation phase, your performance phase begins. This phase is also referred to as the self-evaluation phase as it helps you find out your core strengths and weak spots. They also help you build confidence and learn time management. Moreover, Practice tests are designed in such a manner that it helps the candidates to encounter the real exam environment around them. Take the Certified Wireless Design Professional (CWDP®) Free Practice Test Now!