It is no surprise that the new CCNA 200-301 exam is focused on analyzing Cisco wireless architectures. Wireless communication and networking have become increasingly important in today’s world and Cisco is one of the leading providers of wireless solutions. Having a thorough understanding of Cisco wireless architectures is key to having a successful career in IT.
What is a Wireless Architecture?
A wireless architecture is the overall design of a wireless network and its components. This includes the physical components and their placement as well as the logical components. A well-designed wireless architecture will ensure optimal performance of the network and also ensure that it is secure.
Cisco's Wireless Offerings
Cisco offers a wide range of wireless solutions including access points, wireless controllers, mobility controllers, bridges, and more. Each of these components works together to create a complete and robust wireless architecture. Cisco's Access Points (APs) are the most basic components and are used to provide access to the wireless network. The access points can be managed by a controller or can be standalone. Cisco also offers a number of different controllers that can be used to manage the network. These include the Converged Access Controller, Mobility Controller, and Wireless Controller. The Converged Access Controller is a unified architecture that combines wired and wireless network access into a single platform. This reduces costs and simplifies network management. The Mobility Controller provides centralized management of access points and mobility services. And finally, the Wireless Controller enables centralized management and configuration of access points.
Analyzing Cisco Wireless Architectures
Analyzing a Cisco wireless architecture can be daunting task but with a few simple steps you can get an overall understanding of the network. The first step is to identify the components. This includes the access points, controllers, bridges, and any other hardware that is part of the network. Once the components have been identified, the next step is to determine the network topology. This includes the physical layout of the network as well as the logical configuration. The next step is to analyze the data rates. This includes both the uplink and downlink data rates of each of the connected devices. It is important to ensure that the data rates are adequate to support the applications that are running on the network. The next step is to analyze the security settings. This includes any encryption or authentication protocols that are in place. Security is an important part of any network and it is important to make sure that the network is secure and that the security settings are configured correctly. Finally, the last step is to analyze the performance of the network. This includes monitoring the throughput of the network as well as analyzing any latency issues that may be occurring. This will help to identify any potential issues and provide guidance on how to resolve them.
It is no doubt that understanding Cisco wireless architectures is an important topic on the new CCNA 200-301 exam. Having a good understanding of Cisco wireless architectures is essential for a successful career in IT. With a few simple steps, anyone can analyze a Cisco wireless architecture and ensure that it is well designed and secure.
And as an extra tip, don't forget: when in doubt, call the Cisco Wireless Hotline! Just joking, of course. But do keep an eye on the help desk phones if you need assistance.