Chasing the Ultimate Wi-Fi Certification – Robert’s story

It seems like ages ago, but Terri and I started studying for Wi-Fi certifications. The one I wanted was the “Certified Wireless Network Administrator” certification. While working at a school system, I thought I was pretty good at Wi-Fi. After, it seemed to work fine. A few hiccups but otherwise, it seemed to work.

I took a certification class for Aerohive. I used it, how hard could it be? David Coleman lost me before the first break. That’s ok; I didn’t need that anyway. But, I learned how to create the maps!

I decided to leave the school system after almost 15 years to be a Wi-Fi engineer. After all, I know the software inside and out. There were a few nerd knobs I didn’t understand, so that’s not too bad. Um, sure.

Not too long into the new job, I discussed with a co-worker that the thing he was talking about made no sense. He was wrong. There’s no logic behind the signal getting weaker from a gym AP to the other side of the gym, where the teacher was sitting. After all, I could hear the Grand Ole Opry on the other side of the country. He called it “Free Space” something or another.

So I looked into it. Other people agreed with him. Oh crap. So I began googling Wi-Fi radio signals. And that Free Space whatever is real. Math proved it — not only math but Wi-Fi devices that tell how strong the signal is proved to be true.

In the meantime, Terri and I started getting more interested in W-Fi and what it is really about. We got the CWNA book and began reading it. I finally finished reading it then read it again. Then I studied other webpages. Finally, I passed that test in 2017. When I did that, I thought, ok, I now know what I’m doing. I resigned from that company when my current company called.

Crap. I still don’t know anything. These people were talking about stuff I had no clue. I knew the book but hadn’t put it in to play. This company thought out what they are doing. I hung close by to the two guys that were senior Wi-Fi Engineers. I’ve learned a ton from them. Ok, I’m getting better at this stuff. They earned their CWNE certifications.

We design a lot of WLANs. I got good at Ekahau but then decided it was my crutch. Just why did it say the signal goes here but not there. In comes the CWDP certification.

That book was super helpful. Now I know why I put the AP there and not here. That’s what the signal strength should be. And the Rule of 3 and 10. It was after this I decided a run at CWNE might be a possibility.

Then there was the year-long studying for CWAP. Terri got it faster than I did. Much, much faster. I just struggled with getting going. Finally, I got into the book and somewhat understood it. I signed up for a Peter McKenzie boot camp. I did not want to go into that class and get lost this time. I had the CWNP study guide. I had an old study guide. I had all the CWNP study materials. And I knew the mrnccie website.

Test day came, and I was miserable. Like, I had to turn in my research paper in two hours and haven’t started it yet, miserable. I took the test. I got through the questions and felt pretty good about it. I was staring at the screen, trying to click Submit. I clicked. PASS! By three or four questions. But I passed!

I studied and took the CWSP test. The learning center in my brain no more! So all of my studying has paid off. I’ve learned a lot. Whether or not I get CWNE, I will have gained from my studies. But I hope that Terri and I get that coveted certification.

But, the biggest influence on my path is my wife, Terri. If it had not been for her, I would never have gone past CWNA, if that far.

We will submit, at the same time, this week. Geez, I have that feeling research paper feeling again.