So, you’re ready to specialize in wireless, eh?
While the role of network engineer is a long rewarding career in itself, many choose to specialize in wireless after many years configuring/troubleshooting layer 2 and 3 on switches and routers.
What are the job responsibilities of wireless network engineers?
- Planning and Design: Performing site surveys of facilities to understand usage and wireless network requirements. Design optimal wireless network architecture and infrastructure to ensure seamless connectivity and coverage across the organization.
- Installation and Configuration: Oversee installation of wireless networking equipment including wireless access points, wireless controllers, antennas and network switches. Configure network settings, SSIDs, firewall policies, authentication protocols and other parameters. Configure security mechanisms to encrypt wireless traffic.
- Performance Monitoring: Continuously monitor network utilization, traffic types and volumes. Perform diagnostic tests and tune configurations for optimal speed, capacity and coverage. Identify performance issues and troubleshoot problems proactively.
- Upgrades and Expansions: Plan wireless network upgrades by keeping up with latest advancements in WiFi standards and technology. Add capacity and coverage as needed by site facility expansions or increased usage demands. Replace obsolete legacy equipment.
- Vendor Management: Research, evaluate and select optimal wireless networking hardware and software from various vendors to meet organizational requirements and budgets. Serve as the primary point of contact for troubleshooting vendor product issues.
- Administration and Support: Document network topology, configurations and performance baselines thoroughly. Develop standard operating procedures and documents for administration, staff, and end users. Provide Tier 3 support to troubleshoot complex wireless connectivity issues submitted by the service desk and network staff.
The role blends strong wireless technology expertise with project management and troubleshooting skills. Staying updated on WiFi advancements is also critical to being successful in this role.
What does it take to get there? Here is the criteria from an HR perspective:
Wireless Certifications
Certification #1: Designing Cisco Enterprise Wireless Networks (ENWLSD)
Cisco Certified Specialist – Enterprise Wireless Design; This exam counts towards 1/2 of CCNP Enterprise Certification
It’s a moderately expensive exam which costs around $300 USD currently. It’s a 90 minute exam and can be taken both online and in person at Pearson VUE testing centers.
See below for the exam on how the topics are weighted on this exam:
- 25% 1.0 Wireless Site Survey
- 30% 2.0 Wired and Wireless Infrastructure
- 25% 3.0 Mobility
- 20% 4.0 WLAN High Availability
Certification #2: Implementing Cisco Enterprise Wireless Networks (ENWLSI)
Cisco Certified Specialist – Enterprise Wireless Implementation; This exam counts towards 1/2 of CCNP Enterprise Certification
Also a moderately expensive exam which costs around $300 USD currently. It’s a 90 minute exam and can be taken both online and in person at Pearson VUE testing centers.
See below for a breakdown of this exam:
- 15% 1.0 FlexConnect
- 10% 2.0 QoS on a Wireless Network
- 10% 3.0 Multicast
- 10% 4.0 Location Services
- 10% 5.0 Advanced Location Services
- 20% 6.0 Security for Wireless Client Connectivity
- 15% 7.0 Monitoring
- 10% 8.0 Device Hardening
While the ENWLSI exam is certainly the tougher of the two CCNP level wireless exam, this one is important to have if you’re counting on a wireless certification to prepare you for work as a wireless network engineer. You’ll learn how to setup, configure, and troubleshoot the Cisco 9800 WLC.