CWISA-102 CWNP Certified Wireless IoT Solutions Administrator Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

Most Vulnerable In Transit: Sensitive data (passwords, health information, etc.) is most susceptible to interception while being sent over a wireless network. Encryption is crucial at this stage.

Encryption at Rest and in Memory: While also important, these are often handled with different cryptographic techniques depending on the system.

References:

Wireless Security Protocols: Details on encryption standards like WPA2/WPA3, TLS that focus on protecting data during transmission.

Primary Concern: Safety: Building codes and safety regulations are there to prevent injury and accidents. This includes potential harm from improper equipment installation (falling objects, electrical hazards, etc.).

Legal and Ethical Responsibility: Organizations have an obligation to provide a safe workplace for employees and protect the well-being of end-users.

Insurance Considerations: While complying with codes may impact insurance rates, this shouldn't be the primary motivation, as safety itself is paramount.

References:

Occupational Safety and Health (e.g., OSHA in the US): Websites of regulatory bodies outlining guidelines for safe equipment installation in various settings.

Electrical Codes (e.g., National Electrical Code): Standards that address safe practices to prevent fire and shock hazards.

RFID for Livestock: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags are the most widely used technology for livestock tracking and individual identification on large farms.

Benefits:

Unique ID: Each RFID tag has a unique code.

Data Storage: Some tags store information about the animal.

Durability: Tags withstand outdoor conditions.

Automated Reading: Tags can be scanned quickly.

References

RFID (General): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio-frequency_identification

JSON Fundamentals: JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a text-based format for representing data in a structured, yet flexible way. Its key features are:

Key-Value Pairs: Information is organized as "key":"value" pairs, making it human-readable.

Plaintext: JSON is not encrypted, ensuring easy parsing across different systems.

JSON vs. Other Options

Not Encrypted: Security must be handled at a higher layer if needed.

Not Optimized for Databases: While JSON can be stored in databases, it's designed for data exchange, not database structure.

Not Inherently Compressed: Compression can be used with JSON, but it's not a core feature.

References:

JSON Introduction: Clear definitions and examples of its syntax. (e.g., https://www.json.org/json-en.html )

JSON Data Structures: Explanations of how arrays and nested objects are handled within JSON.

Automation for Consistency: Scripts eliminate the potential for human error during repetitive configuration tasks on multiple devices. This ensures uniformity across the wireless solution.

Speed and Efficiency: Scripts can be much faster than manual configuration, particularly in large deployments.

Other Benefits: While scripts might aid signal strength (e.g., optimizing settings) or enhance solution capabilities, their core value in configuration is reducing errors.

References:

Network Automation: Benefits of using scripts for configuration management.

Configuration Management Best Practices: Emphasize the importance of consistency and repeatability.

Wireless Transceiver: A transceiver is a combination of a transmitter and receiver used for wireless communication.

Radio: The radio is the primary component responsible for:

Modulation: Encoding data onto a carrier wave.

Demodulation: Extracting data from a received signal.

Transmission/Reception: Handling the actual sending and receiving of modulated signals over the air.

References

Transceiver: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transceiver

Outsourcing Knowledge Transfer: When outsourcing implementation, the service provider has firsthand knowledge of system setup and configuration. Clear documentation ensures this knowledge remains accessible to you after the project is complete.

Ongoing Support: While paid/free support options influence long-term maintenance, they won't substitute missing documentation about the specific setup.

Reducing Future Vendor Reliance: Detailed documentation helps mitigate over-reliance on the service provider for minor changes and troubleshooting, giving you more long-term autonomy.

Proof of Concept: A POC typically happens before outsourcing, and focuses on validating the solution's feasibility, not ensuring smooth knowledge transfer thereafter.

References:

Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Documentation related to outsourced work may be defined as a deliverable within an SLA.

Knowledge Management Best Practices:

PtMP (Point-to-Multipoint): A single access point (AP) communicates with multiple client devices. This means the AP needs to manage how the available airtime is shared among those clients.

Airtime Fairness: Mechanisms are needed to ensure that:

Each client gets a fair chance to communicate

High-priority traffic isn't starved by low-priority traffic

PtP (Point-to-Point): A dedicated link only has two devices, eliminating the need for complex airtime management.

Considerations in Both: While interference, SINR, and frequency selection are important in both PtMP and PtP systems, the need for airtime management is unique to the multipoint scenario.

References:

Wireless Network Topologies (PtP vs. PtMP): Explanations of the differences in how communication is managed in each scenario.

TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access): A common airtime sharing method used in PtMP systems.

Lab Purpose: Wireless testing labs offer controlled settings to:

Skill Development: Hone practical understanding of wireless technologies without impacting production environments.

Experimentation: Safely test different configurations, compatibility, and potential issues.

Troubleshooting: Isolate problems, test solutions, and understand how equipment behaves in various scenarios.

Other Benefits (While not the primary benefit):

Learning Environment: Ideal for structured training and exploration.

Evaluation: Compare hardware performance before deployment.

References

Benefits of IT Labs: Can be extended from wireless to broader IT experimentation and learning. (Articles on this topic are readily available)

Requirements Drive Decisions: The decision between wired or wireless must align with the solution's overall purpose, performance targets, and operational constraints.

Key Considerations:

Reliability: Does the application require guaranteed connectivity? (Wired may be favored).

Installation Cost: Can extensive cabling be done, or is it prohibitively expensive? (Wireless may be favored).

Flexibility and Scalability: Is node placement likely to change in the future? (Wireless may be favored).

Other Factors are Important, But Secondary: Distance, PoE availability, specific applications all matter, but they are assessed within the context of the overarching business needs.

References:

Wireless vs. Wired Network Design: Comparisons of pros and cons, highlighting how use cases guide the choice.

IoT Solution Planning: Materials on defining requirements before selecting technology.

Coexistence Priority: Frequency coordination is the most critical aspect in ensuring that multiple wireless solutions function without significant interference.

Impact of Interference: Uncoordinated frequencies lead to:

Signal degradation: Reduced network performance and reliability.

Data errors and retransmissions: Inefficient operation and higher battery drain on devices.

OFDM vs. OFDMA:

OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing): Divides a channel into multiple subcarriers for data transmission.

OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access): Extends OFDM by allowing multiple users to share subcarriers simultaneously, improving efficiency and spectral utilization.

References

OFDM: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthogonal_frequency-division_multiplexing

OFDMA: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthogonal_frequency-division_multiple_access

The concept described is Free Space Path Loss (FSPL). FSPL refers to the reduction in power density of an electromagnetic wave as it propagates through a clear, unobstructed path in free space. This weakening of the signal is due to the spreading of the wavefront as it travels, causing the power to be distributed over a larger area. The FSPL can be calculated using the Friis Transmission Equation, which shows that the received power decreases with the square of the distance from the transmitter. This concept is fundamental to understanding the behavior of RF signals in various communication systems, including wireless IoT, where the signal strength at the receiver is a critical factor for reliable data transmission.

References:The information provided aligns with the Friis Transmission Equation, which models how the power of an RF signal decreases with distance1. Additionally, the concept of FSPL is a well-known phenomenon in RF propagation, affecting the design and optimization of wireless communication systems

SBCs (Single Board Computers): Designed as standalone, small-form-factor computers. They often include:

Display Interfaces: HDMI, DisplayPort, etc.

Input Connections: USB for keyboards, mice, etc.

General Purpose Functionality: Can run a full operating system for wider applications.

Controller Boards: Focus on controlling specific hardware or systems.

Limited direct I/O: Limited connectors for displays/input devices.

Specialized tasks: Designed for embedded applications within larger systems.

References

SBC Examples: https://www.raspberrypi.org/ , https://www.beagleboard.org/

Controller Board Examples: https://www.arduino.cc/

Customization and Integrations: The presence of APIs often suggests a system is integrated with other platforms or has custom-built elements.

Understanding Dependencies: Documenting used APIs helps clarify how different parts of the system interact and where potential issues might arise.

Troubleshooting Efficiency: Detailed API documentation aids in resolving problems, allowing staff to assess interconnected systems effectively.

Knowledge transfer: Future support teams won't have to reverse-engineer the system; documentation ensures smooth handover and understanding.

References:

Best practices API documentation: Guides on API documentation formats and the level of detail needed for maintenance. [Example: Swagger, OpenAPI Specification] (https://swagger.io/ )

Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC): Materials emphasizing the importance of documentation during development and support phases.

PoE Splitter: A PoE splitter separates power and data from a PoE-enabled Ethernet cable, allowing the powering of non-PoE devices.

Other PoE Devices:

PoE Injector: Adds power to non-PoE Ethernet cable.

PoE Switch: Provides power directly through its ports.

HTTP's Popularity: HTTP is the foundation of the web, making it widely known and supported. Developers have extensive familiarity with its concepts (methods, headers, status codes, etc.).

REST APIs and Webhooks: These often leverage HTTP for communication, building upon existing knowledge and tools.

Tradeoffs:

Security: HTTP itself is not inherently secure; HTTPS or additional layers address this.

Speed: Protocols optimized for IoT may have lower overhead, but HTTP's simplicity often outweighs minor performance differences.

References:

REST APIs: Overviews of their use of HTTP, demonstrating its prevalence in API development.

Developer Experience with HTTP: Discussions on the familiarity with and availability of HTTP libraries in various programming languages

Key Modulation Differences:

ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying): Digital data is represented by changes in the amplitude (strength) of a carrier wave.

FSK (Frequency Shift Keying): Digital data is represented by changes in the frequency of a carrier wave.

References

ASK: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amplitude-shift_keying

FSK: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frequency-shift_keying

Privilege Creep Defined: Gradual accumulation of excessive permissions over time, often due to users changing roles or access needs not being adjusted accordingly.

Other Terms:

Privilege Escalation: A malicious act of obtaining higher-than-authorized access.

Improper Delegation/Grouping: Faulty permission assignment, but not the gradual accretion aspect.

References:

Principle of Least Privilege: Security best practice emphasizing the need to minimize access to only what's necessary.

Access Control Models: Discussions of how privilege creep can violate security principles.