JNCIA-MistAI study plan

Map the Mist cloud architecture end to end: describe how access points, switches, and clients connect through the cloud, where the management plane sits, and what runs locally versus in the cloud.

Explain the difference between the Mist cloud, the on-premises/edge data path, and the management/telemetry path, and identify which functions stop working during a WAN outage.

Define the core AI/ML vocabulary used across the exam (supervised vs unsupervised learning, training data, model inference, anomaly detection, confidence scoring) in your own words.

Trace how telemetry from APs and switches becomes the data that feeds Mist AI features, and list the data types collected (client events, RF metrics, sleep/roam data, wired statistics).

Sketch the Mist dashboard hierarchy (org, site, inventory, subscriptions) and explain how licensing and subscriptions gate features.

Explain how Marvis and the underlying AI engine use supervised and unsupervised models to detect client, AP, and wired issues, and distinguish rule-based alerts from ML-driven insights.

Describe the role of Mist's SLE (Service Level Expectation) framework: what an SLE measures, how classifiers and thresholds work, and how an SLE score is computed.

Identify the main SLEs (coverage, capacity, roaming, throughput, AP health, wired) and state which client or network conditions degrade each one.

Explain how anomaly detection, baselining, and confidence levels influence whether Mist surfaces an issue or suppresses it as noise.

Describe how Mist uses data from many customers to improve models while keeping tenant data isolated.

List the Wi-Fi standards from 802.11a through Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) and state the band, channel width, and headline PHY rate for each.

Explain OFDM vs OFDMA, MU-MIMO, BSS coloring, and TWT, and state which standard introduced each feature.

Describe the 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands: available channels, regulatory constraints, DFS, and why 6 GHz changes channel planning.

Calculate basic RF relationships: free-space path loss trends, SNR vs RSSI, and how channel width trades throughput for spectral efficiency.

Explain 802.11 frame exchange basics: association, authentication, roaming (802.11k/v/r), and how these affect client experience.

Walk through the full AP onboarding flow: claim by claim code or MAC, assign to a site, apply a device profile, and confirm the AP shows connected in the dashboard.

Configure an AP in a lab or demo org: set the site, apply a WLAN, set radio profiles, and verify the AP broadcasts the SSID.

Explain AP adoption failure modes (wrong org, DHCP/DNS issues, firewall/proxy blocking, certificate problems) and how to diagnose each from the dashboard.

Describe how RF profiles, channel/power settings, and auto-RF interact, and configure a basic RF profile with manual channel and power overrides.

Explain firmware upgrade behavior for APs: staged rollout, maintenance windows, and how to verify the running version.

Configure WLANs end to end: SSID, VLAN/tunnel vs bridge, band steering, client isolation, and rate limiting.

Compare WPA2-PSK, WPA2-Enterprise (802.1X/EAP), WPA3-SAE, and WPA3-Enterprise, and state when each is appropriate.

Describe how Mist integrates with RADIUS, external captive portals, and NAC, and configure a basic 802.1X WLAN with a RADIUS server profile.

Explain guest access options (PSK, captive portal, sponsored access) and configure a guest WLAN with a portal.

Identify common wireless security misconfigurations and how Mist surfaces them (rogue AP detection, WIDS/WIPS settings).

Explain how Mist switches are onboarded and managed: claim, site assignment, templates, and switch configuration models.

Describe the switch configuration hierarchy (org templates, site templates, device overrides) and configure a port profile.

Explain how wired SLEs and switch health metrics are computed, and identify what causes a wired SLE to drop.

Describe how Mist correlates wired and wireless telemetry to diagnose a client issue that spans an AP and a switch.

Configure and verify a basic switch stack or multi-switch site in the demo org, including VLANs and uplink ports.

Describe what Marvis is, how it is invoked (chat, proactive insights, search), and what actions it can take versus what requires admin confirmation.

Practice turning a vague client complaint into a Marvis query and interpret the returned root cause and recommended actions.

Explain Marvis Actions, Marvis Minis, and how proactive monitoring works, including the role of synthetic tests.

Explain how to troubleshoot a client connectivity issue using SLE dashboards, client timeline, and packet captures together.

List the limits of Marvis: what it cannot see, when to escalate, and how to validate an AI recommendation before acting.

Describe Mist monitoring features: alarms, event logs, audit logs, and how to build a useful alert policy.

Explain location services in Mist: virtual BLE, asset visibility, and how location data is used for analytics and engagement.

Review every domain's weak spots from prior weeks and close gaps with targeted re-study rather than full re-reads.

Complete at least two full-length timed practice sets and review every missed question to its underlying concept.

Build a one-page exam-day reference covering SLE names, standards, security modes, and Marvis capabilities.