Unfortunately, though, certification alone isn't a guarantee of the skills needed to plan, install, configure, manage, troubleshoot and otherwise maintain a wireless LAN. The biggest problem with certification alone is that such can only provide the basics -- real-world, hands-on experience with specific hardware and software is also required.

How good a specific individual is at that can be very tough to gauge, especially as products and even fundamental WLAN technologies continue to evolve. But certification can be a differentiator here, and I expect that CWNP and others in the field will continue to see growth and progress this year and into the near future.

Longer term, though, the requirement for such training and certification begs an important question: Why is this stuff still so hard, and does it really need to be? As I've noted before, management systems will become the key differentiator in WLAN system products, rolling up an ever-increasing array of functionality. But vendors also need to add ease-of-use features as well. Sadly, some products require an advanced (not just working) knowledge of not only wireless, but networking overall.

We have today (beyond the site survey), automated configuration and reconfiguration, and object-oriented configuration. The automated handling of interference conditions is also becoming available. But if we're going to require ever-expanding knowledge of these topics on the part of planners and operations staff, well, that's a bit like requiring expertise in advanced thermodynamics to operate a motor vehicle.

We can gain the productivity and thus the operating-expense advantages we need if we throw more system-level technology at the problem, and I believe vendors will continue to do so. In the meantime, though, have a look at what CWNP has to offer. If productivity depends upon knowledge, certification is a good place for those new to the field to start.