IEEE 802.11 Protocols & Devices
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3.1. IEEE 802.11 Protocol Architecture
3.1.1. Summarize the processes involved in authentication and association
3.1.2. Define, describe, and apply the following concepts associated with WLAN service sets
3.1.3. Explain and apply the following power management features of WLANs
3.2. IEEE 802.11 MAC & PHY Layer Technologies
3.2.1. Describe and apply the following concepts surrounding WLAN frames
3.2.2. Identify methods described in the IEEE 802.11-2012 standard for locating, joining, and maintaining connectivity with an IEEE 802.11 WLAN
3.2.3. Define, describe, and apply IEEE 802.11 coordination functions and channel access methods and features available for optimizing data flow across the RF medium
3.3. WLAN Infrastructure and Client Devices
3.3.1. Identify the purpose of the following WLAN infrastructure devices and describe how to install, configure, secure, and manage them
3.3.2. Describe the purpose of the following WLAN client adapters and explain how to install, configure, secure, and manage them
3.1.1. Summarize the processes involved in authentication and association
- The IEEE 802.11 State Machine
- Open System Authentication, Shared Key Authentication, and Deauthentication
- Association, reassociation, and disassociation
3.1.2. Define, describe, and apply the following concepts associated with WLAN service sets
- Stations
- BSSs
- Basic Service Area (BSA)
- Starting and joining a BSS
- BSSID
- SSID
- Ad Hoc mode and IBSS
- Infrastructure mode and ESS
- Distribution System (DS)
- Distribution System Media (DSM)
- Layer 2 and Layer 3 roaming
3.1.3. Explain and apply the following power management features of WLANs
- Active Mode
- Power Save Mode
- Unscheduled Automatic Power Save Delivery (U-APSD)
- WMM Power-Save (WMM-PS)
- Power Save Multi-Poll (PSMP)
- Spatial Multiplexing Power Save (SMPS)
- TIM/DTIM/ATIM
- VHT TXOP
3.2. IEEE 802.11 MAC & PHY Layer Technologies
3.2.1. Describe and apply the following concepts surrounding WLAN frames
- IEEE 802.11 Frame Format vs. IEEE 802.3 Frame Format
- Define terminology related to the MAC & PHY
- Guard Interval (GI)
- PSDU, PPDU, and PPDU Formats
- MSDU and MPDU
- A-MPDU vs. A-MSDU
- 802.11 Frame Format and Types
- Interframe spaces (RIFS, SIFS, PIFS, DIFS, AIFS, EIFS)
- Block acknowledgements
- Fragmentation
- Jumbo frame support (Layer 2)
- MTU discovery and functionality (Layer 3)
3.2.2. Identify methods described in the IEEE 802.11-2012 standard for locating, joining, and maintaining connectivity with an IEEE 802.11 WLAN
- Active scanning (Probes)
- Passive scanning (Beacons)
- Dynamic Rate Switching (DRS)
3.2.3. Define, describe, and apply IEEE 802.11 coordination functions and channel access methods and features available for optimizing data flow across the RF medium
- DCF and HCF coordination functions
- EDCA channel access method
- RTS/CTS and CTS-to-Self protocols
- HT channel width operation
- HT protection mechanisms
- HT Operation Modes (0, 1, 2, 3)
- VHT channel width operation
- VHT protection mechanisms
- VHT Operating Mode field
3.3. WLAN Infrastructure and Client Devices
3.3.1. Identify the purpose of the following WLAN infrastructure devices and describe how to install, configure, secure, and manage them
- Autonomous access points
- Controller-based access points
- Mesh access points / routers
- Enterprise WLAN controllers
- Distributed WLAN architectures
- Remote office WLAN controllers and/or APs
- PoE injectors (single and multi-port) and PoE-enabled Ethernet switches
- WLAN bridges
- Home WLAN router (teleworker)
3.3.2. Describe the purpose of the following WLAN client adapters and explain how to install, configure, secure, and manage them
- PC cards (ExpressCard, CardBus, and PCMCIA)
- USB2/3
- PCI, Mini-PCI, Mini-PCIe, and Half Mini PCIe cards
- Workgroup bridges