CompTIA A+ Exam > CompTIA A+ Notes > Core 1 > Cheatsheet: Wireless Networking
Cheatsheet: Wireless Networking
1. Wireless Standards (802.11)
1.1 IEEE 802.11 Standards Comparison
| Standard | Max Speed / Frequency / Range |
|---|---|
| 802.11a | 54 Mbps / 5 GHz / 35m indoor, shorter range than 2.4 GHz |
| 802.11b | 11 Mbps / 2.4 GHz / 100m indoor |
| 802.11g | 54 Mbps / 2.4 GHz / 100m indoor, backward compatible with 802.11b |
| 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4) | 600 Mbps / 2.4 GHz and/or 5 GHz / 70m indoor, MIMO support |
| 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) | 6.9 Gbps / 5 GHz only / MU-MIMO, up to 8 spatial streams |
| 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6/6E) | 9.6 Gbps / 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz (6E) / OFDMA, improved efficiency |
1.2 Channel Information
- 2.4 GHz Band: Channels 1-11 (USA), 1-13 (Europe), 1-14 (Japan)
- Non-overlapping channels (2.4 GHz): 1, 6, 11 (USA)
- Channel width (2.4 GHz): 20 MHz or 40 MHz
- 5 GHz Band: 24 non-overlapping channels (UNII-1, UNII-2, UNII-2 Extended, UNII-3)
- Channel width (5 GHz): 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz
- 6 GHz Band (Wi-Fi 6E): Up to 59 channels, less interference
1.3 Frequency Characteristics
| Frequency | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | Longer range, better wall penetration, more interference (microwaves, Bluetooth, cordless phones) |
| 5 GHz | Shorter range, less interference, more channels, faster speeds, poorer obstacle penetration |
| 6 GHz | Wi-Fi 6E only, minimal interference, most channels available |
2. Wireless Encryption and Security
2.1 Encryption Protocols
| Protocol | Details |
|---|---|
| WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) | Obsolete, 64-bit or 128-bit encryption, RC4 algorithm, easily cracked |
| WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) | TKIP encryption, RC4 algorithm, 256-bit key, improvement over WEP |
| WPA2 | AES-CCMP encryption, mandatory since 2006, strongest option before WPA3 |
| WPA3 | SAE (Simultaneous Authentication of Equals), 192-bit encryption (Enterprise), forward secrecy, protects against dictionary attacks |
2.2 Authentication Methods
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Open | No authentication required, no encryption |
| PSK (Pre-Shared Key) | WPA-Personal/WPA2-Personal, shared password for all users |
| Enterprise (802.1X) | WPA-Enterprise/WPA2-Enterprise, RADIUS server authentication, per-user credentials |
| EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) | Framework for authentication: EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, PEAP, EAP-FAST |
2.3 Additional Security Features
- MAC Filtering: Whitelist/blacklist devices by MAC address (can be spoofed)
- SSID Broadcast: Disabling hides network name (security through obscurity)
- Guest Network Isolation: Separate SSID for guests with restricted access
- Captive Portal: Web-based authentication page for guest access
- Geofencing: Location-based access control
3. Wireless Network Configuration
3.1 Operating Modes
| Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| Infrastructure | Devices connect through access point (AP) to wired network |
| Ad-hoc (IBSS) | Peer-to-peer connection between devices without AP |
| Mesh | Multiple APs create self-healing network with multiple paths |
3.2 SSID Configuration
- SSID (Service Set Identifier): Network name, up to 32 characters
- BSSID: MAC address of specific access point
- ESSID: Extended SSID for multiple APs forming one network
- Multiple SSIDs: Single AP can broadcast multiple network names
3.3 Antenna Types
| Type | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Omnidirectional | 360-degree horizontal coverage, standard for most APs |
| Directional (Yagi) | Focused beam in one direction, longer range, point-to-point links |
| Patch/Panel | Semi-directional, wall-mounted, covers specific area |
3.4 Power Settings
- Transmit Power: Measured in mW or dBm, adjustable to control coverage area
- Power over Ethernet (PoE): 802.3af (15.4W), 802.3at/PoE+ (25.5W), 802.3bt/PoE++ (up to 100W)
- QoS (Quality of Service): Prioritizes traffic types (voice, video, data)
4. Wireless Network Hardware
4.1 Access Point Types
- Standalone AP: Configured individually, suitable for small networks
- Controller-based AP: Managed centrally by wireless controller
- Cloud-managed AP: Managed through cloud-based dashboard
- Wireless Router: Combined router, switch, and AP functionality
4.2 Advanced Technologies
| Technology | Description |
|---|---|
| MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) | Multiple antennas for simultaneous data streams, used in 802.11n and later |
| MU-MIMO (Multi-User MIMO) | Simultaneous communication with multiple devices, 802.11ac and later |
| Beamforming | Focuses signal toward specific clients for better performance |
| Channel Bonding | Combines multiple channels for increased bandwidth |
| OFDMA | Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access, 802.11ax efficiency improvement |
4.3 Wireless Range Extenders
- Repeater: Receives and rebroadcasts signal, reduces bandwidth by half
- Wireless Bridge: Connects two wired networks wirelessly
- Mesh Node: Part of mesh system, maintains full bandwidth
5. Troubleshooting Wireless Networks
5.1 Common Issues and Solutions
| Issue | Possible Causes / Solutions |
|---|---|
| Weak Signal | Distance from AP, obstacles, interference; move closer, add AP, adjust antenna |
| Intermittent Connectivity | Channel overlap, interference; change to non-overlapping channel (1, 6, 11) |
| Slow Speeds | Channel congestion, old standard; upgrade to 5 GHz, use 802.11ac/ax |
| Cannot Connect | Wrong password, MAC filtering, hidden SSID; verify credentials, check MAC filter |
| Limited Range | Low transmit power, antenna type; increase power, use directional antenna, add extender |
5.2 Interference Sources
- 2.4 GHz Interference: Microwave ovens, Bluetooth devices, cordless phones, baby monitors, neighboring networks
- Physical Obstacles: Concrete walls, metal surfaces, water, mirrors
- Environmental: Weather conditions (outdoor installations), fluorescent lights
5.3 Diagnostic Tools
- Wi-Fi Analyzer: Shows channel usage, signal strength, identifies interference
- Site Survey: Maps coverage areas and signal strength throughout location
- Heat Map: Visual representation of wireless coverage and dead zones
- Spectrum Analyzer: Identifies non-Wi-Fi interference sources
- ping/ipconfig: Tests connectivity and verifies IP configuration
5.4 Signal Measurements
| Metric | Description |
|---|---|
| RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) | Signal power level, measured in dBm; -30 dBm (excellent) to -90 dBm (unusable) |
| SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) | Signal quality; 40+ dB (excellent), 25-40 dB (good), below 25 dB (poor) |
| dBm | Decibel-milliwatts, power measurement; closer to 0 is stronger |
5.5 Best Practices for Optimization
- Place APs centrally and elevated for better coverage
- Use non-overlapping channels (1, 6, 11 for 2.4 GHz)
- Enable WPA2 or WPA3 encryption minimum
- Update firmware regularly for security and performance
- Perform site surveys before deployment in large areas
- Enable band steering to push dual-band clients to 5 GHz
- Use 20 MHz channels in congested 2.4 GHz environments
- Disable legacy standards (802.11b) to improve overall performance
6. Bluetooth and Personal Area Networks
6.1 Bluetooth Specifications
| Version | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth 1.x/2.x | Up to 1-3 Mbps, basic rate, 10m range (Class 2) |
| Bluetooth 3.0 + HS | High speed up to 24 Mbps using 802.11 for data transfer |
| Bluetooth 4.x | Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), reduced power consumption, IoT devices |
| Bluetooth 5.x | 2x speed (2 Mbps), 4x range (up to 240m outdoor), improved broadcasting |
6.2 Bluetooth Classes and Ranges
- Class 1: 100mW, range up to 100m
- Class 2: 2.5mW, range up to 10m (most common)
- Class 3: 1mW, range up to 1m
- Frequency: 2.4 GHz ISM band, 79 channels (1 MHz each)
6.3 Pairing and Security
- Pairing: One-time authentication process using PIN or passkey
- Bonding: Storing pairing information for automatic reconnection
- Discoverable Mode: Device visible for pairing (should disable after pairing)
- Encryption: 128-bit AES encryption for Bluetooth connections
6.4 Other Wireless Technologies
| Technology | Details |
|---|---|
| NFC (Near Field Communication) | 13.56 MHz, range up to 10cm, contactless payments, data exchange |
| RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) | 125 KHz - 960 MHz, passive/active tags, inventory tracking, access control |
| Zigbee | 2.4 GHz, low power, mesh networking, home automation, IoT |
| Z-Wave | 908 MHz (US), home automation, mesh network, up to 232 devices |
7. Mobile Device Connectivity
7.1 Cellular Technologies
| Generation | Technology and Speed |
|---|---|
| 2G (GSM/CDMA) | Voice and text, up to 50 Kbps |
| 3G (UMTS/HSPA+) | Up to 42 Mbps, mobile data and voice |
| 4G (LTE) | Up to 100 Mbps (300 Mbps LTE-Advanced), all IP-based |
| 5G | Up to 10 Gbps, low latency (1ms), massive device connectivity |
7.2 Mobile Hotspot and Tethering
- Mobile Hotspot: Shares cellular connection via Wi-Fi, supports multiple devices
- USB Tethering: Shares connection via USB cable to single device
- Bluetooth Tethering: Shares connection via Bluetooth, slower than Wi-Fi
- PRL (Preferred Roaming List): Database of radio frequencies for CDMA devices
- PRI (Product Release Instructions): Configuration settings for CDMA devices
7.3 Location Services
- GPS (Global Positioning System): Satellite-based, 24+ satellites, outdoor positioning
- Cell Tower Triangulation: Uses multiple towers to determine location
- Wi-Fi Positioning: Uses known AP locations for indoor positioning
- A-GPS (Assisted GPS): Combines GPS with cellular data for faster lock
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Apr 20, 2026 Last updated
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