Wireless Network Administrator

Course Description

CTS0029 — Wireless Network Administrator is a Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) clock-hour course that prepares students for entry-level employment as a wireless network administrator responsible for the design, installation, configuration, security, and ongoing support of wireless local area networks (WLANs) in business, healthcare, education, hospitality, and public-sector environments. As a PSAV course, it carries 0 college credits, with 150 clock hours as the unit of measurement; successful completion is documented on the student's official PSAV transcript and qualifies the student for the Occupational Completion Point (OCP-F) certificate in the FLDOE Network Support Services framework.

The course is the sixth Occupational Completion Point (OCP-F) in the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Network Support Services curriculum framework (CIP 0511090102), a typically 1,050-hour PSAV program structured as: OCP-A Information Technology Assistant (150 hours) → OCP-B Computer Support Assistant (150 hours) → OCP-C Network Support Help Desk Assistant (150 hours) → OCP-D Network Support Administrator (150 hours) → OCP-E Senior Network Administrator (150 hours) → OCP-F Wireless Network Administrator (150 hours) → OCP-G Data Communications Analyst (150 hours). Students entering OCP-F have completed substantial foundational work in computer support, networking fundamentals, network administration, and routing/switching; CTS0029 extends those competencies into the specialized domain of wireless network technology.

Topics covered include wireless networking standards (the IEEE 802.11 family), radio frequency principles, antenna theory and selection, wireless access point (AP) configuration, wireless LAN controller (WLC) administration, WLAN security (WPA2/WPA3, 802.1X, RADIUS), site survey methodology, wireless network design, troubleshooting wireless performance issues, and the integration of wireless with wired network infrastructure. Instruction combines classroom theory with substantial hands-on laboratory work using actual wireless access points, controllers, and site-survey equipment. The course is offered at FLDOE-recognized Florida technical institutions including Pinellas Technical College (Pinellas County Schools), Atlantic Technical College (Broward County), Robert Morgan Educational Center & Technical College, and other Florida technical and adult-education centers operating the Network Support Services program.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Apply continued laboratory and electrical safety practices, including OSHA general industry standards (29 CFR 1910), electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, working at heights when installing ceiling-mounted access points, and recognition of RF safety considerations near high-power transmitters.
• Describe the IEEE 802.11 wireless standards family, including 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4), 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5), 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E), and the emerging 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7); identify the frequency bands, data rates, and modulation techniques used by each.
• Apply fundamental radio frequency (RF) principles, including frequency, wavelength, amplitude, gain, attenuation, free-space path loss, the relationship between transmit power and coverage, and the FCC regulatory framework (Part 15 unlicensed operation, EIRP limits).
• Identify and select appropriate wireless antennas, including omnidirectional, semi-directional (sector, patch), and directional (Yagi, parabolic) antenna types; calculate gain, beamwidth, and effective coverage; recognize polarization considerations.
• Configure autonomous (stand-alone) wireless access points, including SSID configuration, channel selection, transmit power adjustment, security mode selection, and basic VLAN association.
• Configure controller-based wireless networks, including wireless LAN controller (WLC) operation, lightweight access point (LWAP) deployment, CAPWAP tunnel concepts, and centralized WLAN policy management (Cisco Catalyst, Aruba, Ruckus, or equivalent vendor implementations).
• Apply wireless security appropriately, including WPA2 (AES-CCMP), WPA3 (SAE), 802.1X with RADIUS authentication, EAP method selection (PEAP, EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS), guest network isolation, and the recognition of common wireless attacks (rogue APs, evil twin, deauthentication attacks).
• Perform wireless site surveys, including pre-deployment predictive surveys, post-deployment validation surveys, and passive/active site survey techniques; interpret signal-strength heat maps and coverage reports.
• Design basic wireless network coverage for small business and small-enterprise environments, including AP placement, channel planning (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, with attention to non-overlapping channel allocation), and capacity vs. coverage considerations.
• Troubleshoot common wireless performance issues, including interference (Bluetooth, microwave, fluorescent lighting), coverage gaps, capacity limitations, client roaming problems, and authentication failures.
• Integrate wireless networks with the wired network infrastructure, including switch-port configuration for AP connectivity, VLAN segmentation for SSID-to-VLAN mapping, PoE (Power over Ethernet) considerations, and DHCP/DNS dependencies.
• Demonstrate appropriate documentation and change-management practices, including the maintenance of network diagrams, configuration documentation, and ticket-tracking workflows.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on institutional emphasis and equipment availability, students may also:

• Begin preparation for the CompTIA Network+ wireless content (covered in current N10-series objectives) and the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) wireless content within the Enterprise Networking, Security, and Automation domain.
• Begin preparation for the Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) credential offered by the Certified Wireless Network Professional (CWNP) program.
• Begin preparation for the Aruba Certified Mobility Associate (ACMA) or Cisco Certified Specialist — Wireless vendor-specific credentials.
• Configure guest portals and captive portals for visitor wireless access with terms-of-service acceptance and content filtering.
• Implement Quality of Service (QoS) for wireless, including Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM) prioritization for voice and video traffic.
• Survey specialized wireless deployments, including outdoor mesh networks, point-to-point bridges, and stadium/large-venue high-density deployments.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Wireless Networking Fundamentals — historical development of Wi-Fi, the IEEE 802.11 standards family, the Wi-Fi Alliance certification program, distinctions between Wi-Fi and other wireless technologies (Bluetooth, Zigbee, cellular).
• Radio Frequency (RF) Theory — frequency, wavelength, amplitude; the electromagnetic spectrum; ISM (Industrial, Scientific, Medical) bands at 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz; free-space path loss; the inverse-square law; multipath propagation; absorption, reflection, refraction, scattering.
• FCC Regulatory Framework — Part 15 unlicensed operation, EIRP limits, DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) requirements in 5 GHz bands, country-code settings for international deployments.
• Wireless Antennas — antenna types (omnidirectional, sector, patch, Yagi, parabolic, panel), antenna gain measurement (dBi, dBd), beamwidth, polarization (vertical, horizontal, dual), antenna selection for coverage and capacity scenarios.
• Wireless Access Point Operation — autonomous AP architecture, controller-based AP (lightweight AP, LWAP) architecture, cloud-managed AP architecture (Cisco Meraki, Aruba Central); CAPWAP tunnel protocol basics.
• SSID and Channel Configuration — Service Set Identifiers, hidden vs. broadcast SSIDs, multi-SSID per radio, channel selection in 2.4 GHz (1, 6, 11 non-overlapping), channel selection in 5 GHz (UNII-1, UNII-2, UNII-2-Extended, UNII-3, UNII-4), 6 GHz Wi-Fi 6E band overview.
• Wireless Security — WEP (legacy/insecure), WPA (legacy), WPA2 (AES-CCMP), WPA3 (SAE/Dragonfly), open networks; pre-shared key (PSK) vs. enterprise (802.1X) modes; 802.1X authentication with RADIUS; EAP methods (PEAP-MSCHAPv2, EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, EAP-FAST).
• Wireless Threats and Defenses — rogue access points, evil twin attacks, deauthentication attacks, wardriving, packet sniffing; defenses including wireless intrusion detection/prevention systems (WIDS/WIPS), client isolation, MAC filtering (limitations), and physical security.
• Wireless Site Survey — predictive (planning) surveys using Ekahau, AirMagnet Planner, iBwave Wi-Fi, or vendor tools; passive site surveys; active site surveys; spectrum analysis using Wi-Fi spectrum analyzers (e.g., MetaGeek Chanalyzer); heat-map interpretation.
• Wireless Network Design — coverage-based vs. capacity-based design; AP density calculation for high-density environments; ceiling vs. wall placement; co-channel interference avoidance; band steering and load balancing.
• Wireless Performance and Roaming — RSSI, SNR, data rate vs. signal strength relationship; client roaming behavior; sticky-client issues; fast roaming protocols (802.11k, 802.11v, 802.11r).
• Wired-Wireless Integration — switch-port configuration for AP uplinks (trunks vs. access ports for centralized vs. distributed architectures), VLAN mapping per SSID, Power over Ethernet (PoE, PoE+, PoE++/UPoE) requirements for high-capability APs, DHCP and DNS dependencies.
• Wireless Troubleshooting — coverage gaps, interference sources (Bluetooth, microwave ovens, baby monitors, security cameras), capacity issues, authentication failures, certificate problems in 802.1X environments.
• Documentation and Change Management — network diagrams, AP inventory, configuration documentation, change-management workflow, ticket-tracking integration.

Optional Topics

• Captive Portals and Guest Networks — open guest network design, terms-of-service acceptance, content filtering, time-limited access.
• Wireless Quality of Service (QoS) — Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM) prioritization for voice and video, voice VLAN integration with wireless.
• Outdoor Wireless Deployments — outdoor APs, point-to-point bridges, mesh networking, weather and environmental considerations.
• High-Density Wireless Deployments — stadium, convention-center, classroom, and dormitory deployment patterns.
• Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E Specifics — OFDMA, MU-MIMO, BSS coloring, target wake time (TWT), 6 GHz band considerations.
• Wireless Compliance and Healthcare — HIPAA wireless considerations, healthcare facility deployment specifics.

Resources & Tools

• FLDOE Network Support Services Framework (CIP 0511090102) — the official curriculum framework establishing the seven Occupational Completion Points and standards.
• CWNP (Certified Wireless Network Professional) study materials — the CWNA (Certified Wireless Network Administrator) Study Guide is widely used; cwnp.com offers official study resources, practice tests, and community forums.
• Cisco Networking Academy CCNA curriculum — netacad.com, particularly the Enterprise Networking, Security, and Automation module containing the wireless content.
• Wireless Access Points and Controllers — Cisco Catalyst 9100 series APs and 9800 series controllers, Aruba Instant APs and AOS-10 controllers, Ruckus R-series APs and SmartZone controllers, or Cisco Meraki and Aruba Instant On cloud-managed APs (institution-dependent).
• Site Survey Software — Ekahau AI Pro (the industry-standard professional tool), AirMagnet Survey Pro (NetAlly), iBwave Wi-Fi, NetSpot (free for educational use), TamoGraph Site Survey.
• Spectrum Analyzers — MetaGeek Chanalyzer + Wi-Spy DBx (the most widely used educational spectrum analyzer), AirMagnet Spectrum XT, professional handheld spectrum analyzers where institutional budgets permit.
• Wireless Test Devices — multiple wireless client devices (Windows laptops, MacBooks, iPads, Android devices) for testing client compatibility and performance.
• Wireless Penetration Testing Tools — for security demonstration only, in an isolated lab environment: aircrack-ng suite (Kali Linux), Wireshark with monitor-mode-capable adapters, Kismet wireless network detector.
• RADIUS Server — FreeRADIUS or Microsoft Network Policy Server (NPS) for 802.1X authentication labs.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) — safety glasses for AP installation work, fall-protection harness for ceiling-mounted AP installation at height, ESD wrist strap.

Career Pathways

CTS0029 supports entry into Florida's wireless networking workforce. Successful completion supports:

• Continued Network Support Services PSAV Program — students complete the program with OCP-G Data Communications Analyst (EEV0317, 150 hours).
• Wireless Network Administrator / Wireless Technician (SOC 15-1244) — entry- and mid-level positions at Florida managed service providers, enterprise IT departments, and wireless integrators. Florida wages typically range from $50,000 to $80,000 annually depending on certifications and experience.
• Florida Healthcare Wireless — AdventHealth, Orlando Health, BayCare, Tampa General, Memorial Healthcare, Jackson Health, Mayo Clinic Florida, and Moffitt Cancer Center operate massive wireless infrastructures supporting clinical mobility, IoMT (Internet of Medical Things), and patient-WiFi access. HIPAA compliance requirements make healthcare wireless a specialized and well-compensated subfield.
• Florida Hospitality and Theme Park Wireless — Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, the major Florida hotel and resort operators, and the cruise industry (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian) operate the largest-scale enterprise wireless deployments in the United States. Disney's WDW MagicBand RFID and guest-Wi-Fi infrastructure spans tens of thousands of access points.
• Florida K-12 and Higher Education — Florida public school districts and community colleges operate massive Wi-Fi networks supporting one-to-one device programs; Florida public universities (UF, FSU, USF, UCF, FIU, FAU) operate enterprise wireless networks at campus scale.
• Florida Aerospace and Defense — Lockheed Martin (Orlando, Pinellas), Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, Boeing, and federal contractors supporting Patrick Space Force Base, MacDill AFB, and U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) maintain extensive wireless infrastructures, often with classified-environment specialized requirements.
• Public Sector and Smart Cities — Florida cities (Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale) operate municipal Wi-Fi, smart-city wireless, and emergency-services wireless infrastructures.
• Articulation to A.S./A.A.S. Degrees — clock hours from PSAV Network Support Services programs articulate (subject to institutional agreement) into Network Systems Technology, Computer Information Technology, and Cybersecurity A.S./A.A.S. degree programs at Florida public colleges, including St. Petersburg College's Computer Networking A.S. and Cybersecurity A.S.

Special Information

Program Type and Credit

CTS0029 is a Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) clock-hour course at 150 contact hours. PSAV courses do not carry college credit hours; credits=0 reflects this, with the real measurement being clock hours.

FLDOE Framework Alignment

This course is OCP-F in the FLDOE Network Support Services curriculum framework (CIP 0511090102), the sixth Occupational Completion Point in the typically 1,050-hour Network Support Services PSAV program. The 150-hour length is established by the FLDOE framework and is consistent across Florida institutions offering this program.

Industry Certifications

The course content prepares students for several industry credentials commonly recognized by Florida and national wireless networking employers:

• Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) — the foundational vendor-neutral wireless networking credential offered by the CWNP program; widely valued by Florida wireless integrators and enterprises.
• CompTIA Network+ — the broader vendor-neutral networking credential with substantial wireless content in current versions.
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) — the foundational Cisco credential covering wireless networking in the Enterprise Networking, Security, and Automation module.
• Aruba Certified Mobility Associate (ACMA) and Aruba Certified Mobility Professional (ACMP) — vendor-specific credentials valued in Aruba-deployed environments.
• Cisco Certified Specialist — Wireless — Cisco's wireless-focused certification track.

Prerequisite Sequence

Students should have completed prior OCPs in the Network Support Services framework — minimally OCP-D (Network Support Administrator) and the routing/switching content of OCP-E (Senior Network Administrator) — or possess equivalent demonstrated competency through prior-learning assessment, industry experience, or military-credit equivalency evaluation.

Articulation and Transfer

As a PSAV clock-hour course, CTS0029 does not automatically transfer between institutions as college credit. Articulation agreements at Florida public colleges typically permit PSAV Network Support Services completion to apply toward Network Systems Technology, Computer Information Technology, and Cybersecurity A.S./A.A.S. degree programs.

Military Credit Equivalency

Students with prior military training in radio frequency systems, satellite communications, network operations, or related Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) classifications may be eligible for military credit equivalency awards toward this course. Particularly relevant MOS classifications include:

• U.S. Army 25S (Satellite Communication Systems Operator-Maintainer), 25Q (Multichannel Transmission Systems Operator-Maintainer), 25B (Information Technology Specialist), 25N (Nodal Network Systems Operator-Maintainer), and 25E (Electromagnetic Spectrum Manager)
• U.S. Navy IT (Information Systems Technician) and CTT (Cryptologic Technician — Technical, with RF/spectrum specialization)
• U.S. Air Force 3D1X2 (Cyber Transport Systems), 3D1X3 (RF Transmission Systems), and the broader 1B4X1 (Cyber Warfare Operations) specialty
• U.S. Marine Corps 0651 (Cyber Network Operator), 0621 (Tactical Radio Operator), and 0627 (Tactical Satellite Specialist)
• U.S. Coast Guard IT (Information Systems Technician)
• U.S. Space Force 5C0X1 (Cyberspace Operations) — particularly relevant given Space Force's RF and satellite-communications mission scope

Military experience involving 802.11 wireless networks, RF spectrum management, satellite communications, or tactical wireless deployment maps particularly closely to CTS0029 content. Documentation through the Joint Services Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript is the basis for evaluation. Daytona State College, Florida State College at Jacksonville, St. Petersburg College, and the Miami-Dade County technical colleges maintain dedicated military-credit equivalency processes for IT PSAV programs.