The Best WLAN Book, CWNA the Inside Scoop

Having taught a variety of IT classes and being ait is right there.
learner as I moved along, I have read andContents and relevance are a huge indicator of a
evaluated certification books from Cisco,well written book. The CWNA third edition book
Microsoft, CompTIA,and EC-Council. Although notfor the PW0-100 exam carried thirteen chapters.
part of my job description I was always givenMr. Coleman reflects the huge advancements in
the task of evaluating books. At one school I wasWLAN technology by increasing the contents of
the resident bookworm. I remember receiving thethe PW0-104 study guide to eighteen chapters. In
first PDF from Planet 3 and working to convincecomparing, one would observe the new subject
my boss, the school owner, to look seriously atareas High Throughput (HT) which covers 802.11n,
the CWNA track. Ever since, I have been throughCooperative Control, advancements in the UNII
these books over and over. The CWNA textband, new innovations in site surveying, Quality of
from the 1st edition to the 3rd edition still hold anService(QoS), Spatial Multiplexing and
enviable place in my library. There are books thatBeamforming. This is extremely commendable
are excellent, yet very hard on the eyes andconsidering the rapid changes in WLANs. In terms
brain. This new text written by Mr. David Colemanof relevance, I think this book is not only suited to
and David Westcott has surpassed the standardthe potential test taker but should be a must read
set by these previous editions.for any professional in a networking environment.
The question of authority in the book writingThe diagrams and illustrations are truly there for
world has been blurred as far as I am concerned.learning and are not decorative. They are
Book writing has become a free for all profession.pertinent, up to date and informative. I am highly
There are books being written on pace withimpressed with the chapter on RF Math and
tabloids, exaggerations, false claims and all.Spread Spectrum Technologies. The examples are
Something like a bookarazzi. However one canwell explained,attesting to the fact that what we
rest assured that Mr. Coleman and Westcott arehave here is a truly student oriented text.
fully authorized to write a book on WLANs.An authors choice of language can definitely be a
Though I don't think we have met, I havepositive or a negative. I've read books where the
followed his writings for a long time. In my pursuitterminology used was irrelevant, confusing, almost
of CWNA and CWSP certification I hung on everymechanical. The flow of information in this text is
word written by "Mr. Multipath" as he isalmost automatic because of the author's style.
affectionately known in the wifi world. Mr.ColemanThe student/reader will gain immensely in terms
is and has been a trainer/ consultant for theof developing that language of commonality
CWNP Program from the very beginning. Hisneeded to explain concepts to the non IT person
company Airspy Networks specializes inor converse with the trained IT professional. In a
government classes and he travels the worldremarkably subtle approach, definitions are "snuck"
dispensing knowledge. Mr. Westcott is also ain the presentation. This technique challenges the
seasoned "brainiac" fully versed in wifi technology.reader to want to know more, thus fostering
One can be comfortable in accepting the accuracyresearch. The book also accomplishes this by
and relevance of the information provided.providing the reader with a list of websites from
Whenever I am called upon to evaluate a text Iwhich can be obtained current information. This
remove myself from instructor mode and allowbook succeeds in maintaining the 80/20 rule by
my student person to come forward. In readingfocusing on the 20% of the issue that makes
the CWNA text I quickly appreciated the80% of the difference.
appearance. The picture chosen for the cover isIncluded with the text is a glossary that also helps
soothing, setting a tone of comfort, almostto prepare the learner who wishes to move
presenting itself as a book of relaxation. The feelforward to the advanced security certification. I
of the book is not intimidating, what grabbed myhave not gotten my hands on that new edition,
approval was the fact that the book felt readablebut I am confident that being written by "Mr.
unlike some books that immediately triggered aMultipath" it will be off the hook. At the end of
response of " oh lord". I remember one schooleach chapter can be found a set of questions
attempting to teach "An Introduction to WLAN"with answers and explanations. These questions
and for whatever reason chose The Definitiveare not run of the mill page fillers but are actually
Guide to 802.11 Wireless Networks. You may wellstructured like some of the certification test
imagine the response from the learners. This textquestions. A CD comes with the text but unlike
has that learner enticing appeal.some books this one first, works and provides a
Next I looked at the general layout of the text.test engine, flash cards and white papers.
Definitely a positive for the reader is theIn concluding I will give two thumbs up to the
placement of the CWNA objectives at the veryauthors of this text. I believe it reflects what the
start of the book. I remember directing previousorganization thinks of wifi as a whole and their
students to the website to go through theclients in particular. Being a believer in the
objectives. Mr. Coleman and Westcott scored aimportance of the CWNP program and recognizing
big touchdown by introducing the book with thewhat they have contributed to the world through
detailed objectives. In a previous article "How Totheir efforts, I can only expect more and more
Pass Your CWNA on Your First Try" I stressedquality books. I would like to thank the authors
the need for owning the objectives. This is anfor making my pursuit of CWNE easier. Keep on
irreplaceable study map. In this edition of the bookpressing.