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Certification overview

The Cisco Certified Network Professional Wireless (CCNP Wireless) certification is an information technology career certification that emphasizes principles and theory of networking. This confirms the IT professional's skills and knowledge in designing, implementing, and operating Cisco Wireless networks as well as mobility infrastructures. The certification validates the expertise and technical keenness of wireless professionals to assess and translate network requirements of the business into technical specifications that are integrated into successful installations.

As Cisco provides IP-based networking products and services to business of various industries and public institutions, being well-trained in its system is very useful for any practicing IT professional. This prestigious certification sets a candidate apart from other networking administrators and recognizes his/her critical significance in project design, implementation and operation.

Who need to do this certification?

The Cisco CCNP Wireless certification is for wireless lan network (LAN) administrators, engineers, and channel partners who specialize in WLAN deployments. The certification is also useful to business organizations that have WLAN deployments and in-house IT support. WLAN designers, planners, implementers, optimizers, trainers or support personnel, or anyone interested in attaining CCIE Wireless certification at a future date are also good candidates for CCNP Wireless accreditation.

Benefits

Having a Cisco CCNP Wireless certification warrants successful implementation and proper installation of Cisco wireless network. Skilled and properly trained IT professionals can efficiently configure a wider array of network features and get the most out of a Cisco network. This certification validates skills and knowledge that are job-ready, increasing an IT professional's worth and potential in his field and elevating his/her opportunity for career advancement.

Hiring CCNP Wireless certified professionals are advantageous to employers because network-skilled employees increase business efficiency and productivity. The certification also serves as an opportunity to recognize and develop advanced-level wireless employees for enhanced loyalty and retention.

Associated exams

An IT professional needs to have an active Cisco CCNA Wireless certification or any Cisco CCIE certification in order to be qualified to take the CCNP Wireless certification.

Prerequisites

An IT professional seeking CCNP Wireless certification must be well-trained in conducting wireless site surveys, and familiar with the implementation of wireless networks and mobility services.

Examination overview

Cisco CCNP Wireless certification covers 4 exams and a candidate must pass all of these in order to get the certification. These are:

  1. Conducting Cisco Unified Wireless Site Surveys (CUWSS)
  2. Implementing Cisco Unified Wireless Voice Networks (IUWMS)
  3. Implementing Cisco Unified Mobility Services (IUWVN)
  4. Implementing Advanced Cisco Unified Wireless Security (IAUWS)

Thus, a candidate must be well versed in Cisco wireless networks and mobility services in order to achieve the CCNP Wireless certification. Students must have a firm grasp of conducting a site survey and explore WLAN topologies not only for voice and data, but also for location appliance services. Candidates must also be well-informed to integrate VoWLAN services into the WLAN, as well as implement QoS and high-bandwidth applications into the wireless network. Another aspect of the training is being able to integrate mobility services into the network. A candidate must know how to investigate problems and repair the WLAN, as well as execute indoor organizatio networks. A network professional must also be knowledgeable on how to protect the wireless network from security threats through appropriate security policies and best practices. This also involves proper implementation of security standards and correct configuration of security components.

Candidates must note that CCNP Wireless uses current code of v5.2 during development, unlike earlier-released CCNA Wireless (IUWNE) which is based on v5.0. Students can prepare for the certification by taking a CCNP Wireless training course that is led by an associated instructor through a Cisco learning partner.

Validity of certification

The CCNP Wireless certification is valid for three years just as any professional-level certifications (CCNP, CCNP Wireless, CCDP, CCSP, CCNP Security, CCNP Voice, CCIP, CCNP Service Provider, CCNP Service Provider Operations, and CCNP Data Center). In order to recertify, a candidate must pass one of the following before the Cisco certification expires:

  • Pass any current 642-XXX Professional-level or any 300-XXX Professional-level exam, or
  • Pass any current CCIE Written Exam, or
  • Pass the current CCDE Written Exam OR current CCDE Practical Exam, or
  • Pass the Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr) interview AND the CCAr board review to extend lower certifications

If a higher level of certification is used to extend other certifications, the date of expiration of other certifications will extend to that of the higher certification.

Expert review

According to Ed Tittel and Kim Lindros of Tom's IT Pro, the CCNP Wireless certification is specially for support and network engineers who design, install and troubleshoot WLANs that integrate Cisco equipment. Cisco put in a heavy load of mobility topics into its CCNP Wireless certification because mobile technologies often lap with wireless networking.