Home > Articles > Cisco Network Technology > Wireless/Optical/High Speed > Wireless is Calling - Will You Answer? Why Wireless Networking is a Promising Career Choice

Wireless is Calling - Will You Answer? Why Wireless Networking is a Promising Career Choice

Article Description

David Hucaby shares his thoughts on why wireless engineering is a satisfying career choice, especially with new wireless capabilities rolling out all the time. He is currently working on the CCNA Wireless 640-722 Official Certification Guide for Cisco Press.

Like this article? We recommend

CCNA Wireless (640-722 IUWNE) Quick Reference

CCNA Wireless (640-722 IUWNE) Quick Reference

$24.99

“Increased Speed for Wireless Users Soon” read the headline of a recent news article. As I suspected, the article touted the IEEE 802.11ac amendment and its improvements over today’s wireless offerings. This caused me to step back and get some perspective.

As a wireless user, just hearing “increased speed” gets my attention. After all, that’s probably the one thing that end users really care about, and it sounds so simple and powerful. As a wireless engineer, I’m also acquainted with the incredible hardware, architecture, and configuration that all work behind the scenes to make the wireless magic happen.  The more I learn about wireless technologies, the more my mouth hangs open in awe.

Wired networks can carry high bandwidth data streams over physical cables. Data transmissions are well-defined and well-contained inside those cables. As long as the cables are built according to a standard, there aren’t many variables that can affect the data delivery. In a way, such a predictable medium almost takes the fun out of engineering a network.

Wireless networks, on the other hand, use the air or free space as the delivery medium.  There aren’t many constraints about free space that help a wireless signal move along. Instead, the wireless world is full of variables that must be overcome. Even free space itself is working against an RF signal – a signal transmitted out in the open will dampen out exponentially the further it travels. That is because the signal and its RF energy spread out in three dimensions along the way. Things tend to get worse when objects are placed in free space. RF signals can be attenuated as they pass through objects, reflected as they bounce off objects, diffracted as they bend around objects, and so on. The signal that is received is seldom identical to the signal that was transmitted.

Beyond that, transmitters can overlap and interfere with each other. Other devices can interfere with the wireless signals we try to receive. Two devices might not be able to hear each other if their transmit power levels are not identical. And I haven’t even mentioned the hurdles of sending increasing amounts of data over an RF signal reliably. Wireless networking is so full of variables that I’m often amazed that it even works! Maybe it is this amazement that makes me like it.

By its nature, wireless LAN technology is complex - very complex. The IEEE 802.11 standard is now over 2,500 pages long, and new amendments are being developed all the time. There are many different amendments tackling so many new and different problems. Wireless networking is ever-changing and evolving, giving us cool new things to learn and use as time goes by.

Wireless networks are also growing and scaling like never before. Cisco wireless LAN controllers can support over 1,000 APs each and can be configured for high availability. Wireless bandwidth has improved so much that it stays on par with that of wired connections. What began as 1 Mbps quickly grew to 11 Mbps on a single channel with 802.11b. Shortly after, devices using 802.11g and 802.11a could share up to 54 Mbps on a channel. The advent of 802.11n in 2009 brought about a rich toolkit of high throughput features that worked together to offer up to 600 Mbps.

Right now we sit on the edge of 802.11ac, which will allow devices to leverage superior modulation, multiple radios, and bonded channels to share a maximum of 6.9 Gbps! The 802.11ac amendment will hit the ground in two waves over time.  Granted, most of these throughput figures are theoretical maximums, but wow!

Wireless networks involve a diverse set of technologies and skills. That makes being a wireless engineer more challenging and more future proof than other disciplines. You might start out by learning basic RF principles, but soon you could be involved with things like the following:

  • 802.11 configuration
  • Security mechanisms
  • Wireless intrusion prevention systems
  • Rogue device detection
  • Assessing interference and “air” quality
  • High availability
  • IP multicast
  • Workgroup bridges
  • Point-to-point wireless bridges
  • Indoor and outdoor wireless mesh networks
  • Quality of service
  • Voice over wireless LANs

The list of possibilities goes on and on. You can also learn how to conduct site surveys before and after APs are deployed, how to validate wireless client behavior, how to manage wireless networks, how to troubleshoot complex problems, and how to track down RF interference. And the day is coming when you could implement voice call handoff between 3G/4G cell and wireless LAN networks. All of these job functions require a creative mind and offer a growing career path.

Beyond the raw wireless technology, I’m equally intrigued with the wide variety of wireless client devices that have to coexist on a wireless LAN. Here are some examples of clients I have come across in just one medical enterprise:

  • Mobile PCs with a secure portal to patient data
  • Handheld devices that record data at the patient’s bedside
  • Hospital beds that report information about the patients lying in them
  • RFID tags used to track location of patients and objects in real time
  • Tiny voice communicators that medical staff use as they move around the buildings
  • Robots that carry lab specimens from building to building
  • Mobile X-ray and ultrasound machines
  • Wireless phones
  • Guest devices

With so many devices roaming around, the AP layout and antenna selection can be unique challenges too. For example, an emergency department the size of a football field is crowded with medical staff making critical voice calls over the wireless LAN. Thirty elevators need seamless wireless coverage for voice calls. Several helipads on the roof need outdoor coverage for staff moving to and from helicopters. Large auditoriums and long study halls require special coverage patterns.

If you work with wireless networks, surely you have come across equally interesting and challenging scenarios. How are you preparing yourself to deal with all of the wireless technologies and applications you are faced with both today and tomorrow? If you are just beginning, where should you start? Cisco has recognized the need for wireless training - especially to implement and support Cisco Unified Wireless Networks. Each of the traditional CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE certification tracks now has a wireless specialization. You can find out more information at http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/certifications/index.html. You should also consider the Certified Wireless Network Professional (CWNP), a set of vendor-neutral wireless certifications which tend to focus on the 802.11 standard and an in-depth technical foundation. CWNP offers a full range of certs and training from basic fundamentals to a wireless network expert level.

Cisco Press Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from Cisco Press and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview

Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about Cisco Press products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information

To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites; develop new products and services; conduct educational research; and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@ciscopress.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information

Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security

Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children

This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing

Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information

If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out

Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by Cisco Press. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.ciscopress.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information

Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents

California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure

Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links

This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact

Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice

We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020