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[ 1.0: comptia a+ certification info ]

test info

CompTIA A+ Info

CompTIA A+ Core 1 Objectives

CompTIA A+ Core 2 Objectives

[ 1.1: comptia a+ study guides ]

examcompass - free a+ practice tests

professor messer - CompTIA A+ core 1 videos

practice questions - core 1, 10 total

professor messer - CompTIA A+ core 2 videos

practice questions - core 2, 10 total

archived textbook - study guide Exams 1101-1102 5th edition

ccilearning - comptia a+ sample notes (old)

[ 1.2: comptia a+ core 1 objectives ]

below are the 5 main domains of the test

  • 1: mobile devices 13%
  • 2: networking 23%
  • 3: hardware 25%
  • 4: virtualization and cloud computing 11%
  • 5: hardware and network troubleshooting 28%

[ 1.21: mobile devices ]

[ 1.211 ] given a scenario, monitor mobile device hardware and use appropriate replacement techniques:

[ 1.212 ] compare and contrast accessories and connectivity options for mobile devices:

  • Connection methods
  • Accessories
    • Stylus
    • Headsets
    • Speakers
    • Webcam
  • Docking station
  • Port replicator
  • Trackpad/drawing pad/track points

[ 1.213 ] given a scenario, configure basic mobile device network connectivity and provide application support:

  • Wireless/cellular data
  • network (enable/disable)
    • 3G/4G/5G
    • Hotspot
    • Wi-Fi
    • Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)/eSIM
  • Bluetooth
    • Enable Bluetooth
    • Enable pairing
    • Find a device for pairing
    • Enter the appropriate personal identification number (PIN) code
    • Test connectivity
  • Location services
    • Global positioning system (GPS) services
    • Cellular location services
  • Mobile device management (MDM)
    • Device configurations
      • Corporate
      • Bring your own device (BYOD)
    • Policy enforcement
    • Corporate applications
  • Mobile device synchronization
    • Recognizing data caps
    • Calendar
    • Contacts
    • Business applications
      • Mail
      • Cloud storage

[ 1.22: networking ]

[ 1.221 ] compare and contrast transmission control protocol (TCP) and user datagram protocol (UDP) ports, protocols, and their purposes:

  • Ports and protocols
    • 20-21 – File Transfer Protocol (FTP):
      wiki: File Transfer Protocol
    • 22 – Secure Shell (SSH):
      wiki: Secure Shell
    • 23 – Telnet:
      wiki: Telnet
    • 25 – Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP):
      wiki: Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
    • 53 – Domain Name System (DNS)
    • 67/68 – Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
    • 80 – Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
    • 110 – Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3)
    • 143 – Internet Mail Access Protocol (IMAP)
    • 137-139 Network Basic Input/Output System (NetBIOS)/NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT)
    • 389 – Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)
    • 443 – Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS)
    • 445 – Server Message Block (SMB)/Common Internet File System (CIFS)
    • 3389 – Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)
  • TCP vs. UDP

[ 1.222 ] explain wireless networking technologies:

  • Frequencies
    • 2.4GHz
    • 5GHz
    • 6GHz
  • Channels
    • Regulations
    • Channel selection
      • Widths
      • Frequencies
      • Bands
  • Bluetooth
  • 802.11 standards
  • NFC
  • Radio-frequency identification (RFID)

[ 1.223 ] summarize services provided by networked hosts:

  • Server roles
    • DNS
    • DHCP
    • Fileshare
    • Print servers
    • Mail servers
    • Syslog
    • Web servers
    • Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA)
    • Database servers
    • Network Time Protocol (NTP)
  • Internet appliances
    • Spam gateways
    • Unified threat management (UTM)
    • Load balancers
    • Proxy servers
  • Legacy/embedded systems
    • Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)
  • Internet of Things (IoT) devices
    wiki: Internet of things

[ 1.224 ] Explain common network configuration concepts.

  • DNS
    • A
    • AAAA
    • Canonical Name (CNAME)
    • Mail exchanger (MX)
    • Text (TXT)
      • Spam management
        • DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM)
        • Sender Policy Framework (SPF)
        • Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC)
  • DHCP
    • Leases
    • Reservations
    • Scope
    • Exclusions
  • Virtual LAN [local area network] (VLAN):
    wiki: VLAN
  • Virtual private network (VPN):
    wiki: Virtual private network

[ 1.225 ] compare and contrast common networking hardware devices:

  • Routers:
    wiki: Router (computing)
  • Switches
    • Managed
    • Unmanaged
  • Access points
  • Patch panel
  • Firewall
    wik: Firewall (computing)
  • Power over Ethernet (PoE)
    • Injectors
    • Switch
    • PoE standards
  • Cable modem
  • Digital subscriber line (DSL)
  • Optical network terminal (ONT)
  • Network interface card (NIC)
    • Physical media access control (MAC) address

[ 1.226 ] given a scenario, configure basic wired/wireless small office/home office (SOHO) networks:

  • Internet Protocol (IP) addressing
    • IPv4
      • Private addresses
      • Public addresses
    • IPv6
    • Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA)
    • Static
    • Dynamic
    • Subnet mask
    • Gateway

[ 1.227 ] compare and contrast internet connection types, network types, and their characteristics:

  • Internet connection types
    • Satellite
    • Fiber
    • Cable
    • DSL
    • Cellular
    • Wireless internet service provider (WISP)
  • Network types
    • LAN
    • Wide area network (WAN)
    • Personal area network (PAN)
    • Metropolitan area network (MAN)
    • Storage area network (SAN)
    • Wireless local area network (WLAN)

[ 1.228 ] explain networking tools and their purposes:

  • Crimper
  • Cable stripper
  • Wi-Fi analyzer
  • Toner probe
  • Punchdown tool
  • Cable tester
  • Loopback plug
  • Network tap

[ 1.23: hardware ]

[ 1.231 ] compare and contrast display components and attributes:

  • Types
    • Liquid crystal display (LCD)
      • In-plane switching (IPS)
      • Twisted nematic (TN)
      • Vertical alignment (VA)
    • Organic light-emitting diode (OLED)
    • Mini light-emitting diode (Mini-LED)
  • Touch screen/digitizer
  • Inverter
  • Attributes
    • Pixel density
    • Refresh rates
    • Screen resolution
    • Color gamut

[ 1.232 ] summarize basic cable types and their connectors, features, and purposes:

  • Network cables
    • Copper
      • Categories
        • T568A/T568B standards
      • Coaxial
      • Shielded twisted pair
        • Direct burial
      • Unshielded twisted pair
    • Plenum-rated
    • Optical
      • Single-mode
      • Multimode
  • Peripheral cables
    • USB 2.0
    • USB 3.0
    • Serial
    • Thunderbolt
  • Video cables
    • High-definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
    • DisplayPort
    • Digital Visual Interface (DVI)
    • Video Graphics Array (VGA)
    • USB-C
  • Hard drive cables
    • Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA)
    • External SATA (eSATA)
  • Adapters
  • Connector types
    • RJ11
    • RJ45
    • F-type
    • Straight tip (ST)
    • Subscriber connector (SC)
    • Lucent connector (LC)
    • Punchdown block
    • MicroUSB
    • MiniUSB
    • USB-C
    • Molex
    • Lightning
    • DB9

[ 1.233 ] compare and contrast RAM characteristics:

  • Form factors
    • Small Outline Dual In-line Memory Module (SODIMM)
    • Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM)
  • Double Data Rate (DDR) iterations
  • Error-correcting code (ECC) vs. non-ECC RAM
  • Channel configurations

[ 1.234 ] compare and contrast storage devices:

  • Hard drives
    • Spindle speeds
    • Form factors
      • 2.5-inch
      • 3.5-inch
  • Solid-state drives
    • Communications interfaces
      • Non-volatile Memory Express (NVMe)
      • SATA
      • Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe)
      • Serial Attached SCSI [Small Computer System Interface] (SAS)
    • Form factors
      • M.2
      • Mini-serial Advanced Technology Attachment (mSATA)
  • Drive configurations
    • Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) 0, 1, 5, 6, 10
  • Removable storage
    • Flash drives
    • Memory cards
  • Optical drives

[ 1.235 ] given a scenario, install and configure motherboards, central processing units (CPUs), and add-on cards:

  • Motherboard form factors
    • Advanced Technology Extended (ATX)
    • microATX
    • Information Technology eXtended (ITX)
  • Motherboard connector types
    • Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)
    • PCIe
    • Power connectors
    • SATA
    • eSATA
    • Headers
    • M.2
  • Motherboard compatibility
    • CPU socket types
      • Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD)
      • Intel
    • Multisocket
  • BIOS/Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) settings
    • Boot options
    • USB permissions
    • Trusted Platform Module (TPM) security features
    • Fan considerations
    • Secure Boot
    • Boot password
    • BIOS password
    • Temperature monitoring
  • Virtualization support
  • Encryption
    • TPM
    • Hardware security module (HSM)
  • CPU architecture
    • x86/x64
    • Advanced RISC [Reduced Instruction Set Computer] Machine (ARM)
    • Core configurations
  • Expansion cards
    • Sound card
    • Video card
    • Capture card
    • Network interface card
  • Cooling
    • Fans
    • Heat sink
    • Thermal paste/pads
    • Liquid

[ 1.236 ] given a scenario, install the appropriate power supply:

  • Input 110–120 VAC vs. 220–240 VAC
  • Output 3.3V vs. 5V vs. 12V
  • 20+4 pin motherboard connector
  • Redundant power supply
  • Modular power supply
  • Wattage rating
  • Energy efficiency

[ 1.237 ] given a scenario, deploy and configure multifunction devices/printers and settings:

  • Properly unbox device and consider set-up location
  • Use appropriate drivers for a given operating system
    • Printer Control Language (PCL) vs. postscript
  • Firmware
  • Device connectivity
    • USB
    • Ethernet
    • Wireless
  • Public/shared devices
    • Printer share
    • Print server
  • Configuration settings
    • Duplex
    • Orientation
    • Tray settings
    • Quality
  • Security
    • User authentication
    • Badging
    • Audit logs
    • Secured prints
  • Network scan services
    • Email
    • SMB
    • Cloud services
  • Automatic document feeder (ADF)/flatbed scanner

[ 1.238 ] given a scenario, perform appropriate printer maintenance:

  • Laser
    • Maintenance: Replace toner, apply maintenance kit, calibrate, and clean
  • Inkjet
    • Ink cartridge, printhead, roller, and feeder
    • Maintenance: Clean printheads, replace cartridges, calibrate, and clear jams
  • Thermal
    • Feed assembly
    • Special thermal paper
    • Maintenance: Replace paper, clean heating element, and remove debris
  • Impact
    • Multipart paper
    • Maintenance: Replace ribbon, printhead, and paper

[ 1.24: virtualization and cloud computing ]

[ 1.241 ] explain virtualization concepts:

  • Purpose of virtual machines
    • Sandbox
    • Test development
    • Application virtualization
      • Legacy software/OS
      • Cross-platform virtualization
  • Requirements
    • Security
    • Network
    • Storage
  • Desktop virtualization
    • Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)
  • Containers
  • Hypervisors
    • Type 1
    • Type 2

[ 1.242 ] explain virtualization concepts:

  • Common cloud models
    • Private cloud
    • Public cloud
    • Hybrid cloud
    • Community cloud
    • Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)
    • Software as a service (SaaS)
    • Platform as a service (PaaS)
  • Cloud characteristics
    • Shared resources vs. dedicated resources
    • Metered utilization
      • Ingress/egress
    • Elasticity
    • Availability
    • File synchronization
    • Multitenancy

[ 1.25: hardware and network troubleshooting ]

[ 1.251 ] given a scenario, troubleshoot motherboards, RAM, CPUs, and power:

  • Common symptoms
    • Power-on self-test (POST) beeps
    • Proprietary crash screens
    • Blank screen
    • No power
    • Sluggish performance
    • Overheating
    • Burning smell
    • Random shutdown
    • Application crashes
    • Unusual noise
    • Capacitor swelling
    • Inaccurate system date/time

[ 1.252 ] given a scenario, troubleshoot drive and RAID issues:

  • Common symptoms
    • Light-emitting diode (LED) status indicators
    • Grinding noises
    • Clicking sounds
    • Bootable device not found
    • Data loss/corruption
    • RAID failure
    • Self-monitoring and Reporting Technology (S.M.A.R.T.) failure
    • Extended read/write times
    • Low performance input/output operations per second (IOPS)
    • Missing drives in OS
    • Array missing
    • Audible alarms

[ 1.253 ] given a scenario, troubleshoot video, projector, and display issues:

  • Common symptoms
    • Incorrect input source
    • Physical cabling issues
    • Burnt-out bulb
    • Fuzzy image
    • Display burn-in
    • Dead pixels
    • Flashing screen
    • Incorrect color display
    • Audio issues
    • Dim image
    • Intermittent projector shutdown
    • Sizing issues
    • Distorted image

[ 1.254 ] given a scenario, troubleshoot common mobile device issues:

  • Common symptoms
    • Poor battery health
    • Swollen battery
    • Broken screen
    • Improper charging
    • Poor/no connectivity
    • Liquid damage
    • Overheating
    • Digitizer issues
    • Physically damaged ports
    • Malware
    • Cursor drift/touch calibration
    • Unable to install new applications
    • Stylus does not work
    • Degraded performance

[ 1.255 ] given a scenario, troubleshoot network issues:

  • Common symptoms
    • Intermittent wireless connectivity
    • Slow network speeds
    • Limited connectivity
    • Jitter
    • Poor Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) quality
    • Port flapping
    • High latency
    • External interference
    • Authentication failures
    • Intermittent internet connectivity

[ 1.256 ] given a scenario, troubleshoot printer issues:

  • Lines down the printed pages
  • Garbled print
  • Paper jams
  • Faded prints
  • Paper not feeding
  • Multipage misfeed
  • Multiple prints pending in queue
  • Speckling on printed pages
  • Double/echo images on the print
  • Grinding noise
  • Finishing issues
    • Staple jams
    • Hole punch
  • Incorrect page orientation
  • Tray not recognized
  • Connectivity issues
  • Frozen print queue
[ 1.3: comptia a+ core 1 hardware and software ]

[ 1.31: equipment ]

  • Apple tablet/smartphone
  • Android tablet/smartphone
  • Windows tablet
  • Chromebook
  • Windows laptop/Mac laptop/Linux laptop
  • Windows desktop/Mac desktop/Linux desktop
  • Windows server with Active Directory and Print Manager
  • Monitors
  • Projectors
  • SOHO router/switch
  • Access point
  • VoIP phone
  • Printer
    • Laser/inkjet
    • Wireless
    • 3-D printer
    • Thermal
  • Surge suppressor
  • UPS
  • Smart devices (IoT devices)
  • Server with a hypervisor
  • Punchdown block
  • Patch panel
  • Webcams
  • Speakers
  • Microphones

[ 1.32: hardware ]

  • Motherboards
  • RAM
  • Hard drives
  • Power supplies
  • Video cards
  • Sounds cards
  • Network cards
  • Wireless NICs
  • Fans, cooling devices, heat sinks
  • CPUs
  • Assorted connectors/cables
    • USB
    • HDMI
    • DVI
    • VGA
  • Adapters
    • Bluetooth adapter
  • Network cables
  • Unterminated network cable/connectors
  • AC adapters
  • Optical drives
  • Screws/stand-offs
  • Cases
  • Maintenance kit
  • Mice/keyboards
  • Keyboard-Video-Mouse (KVM)
  • Console cable
  • SSD

[ 1.33: tools ]

  • Screwdrivers
  • Multimeter
  • Wire cutters
  • Punchdown tool
  • Crimper
  • Power supply tester
  • Cable stripper
  • Standard technician toolkit
  • Electrostatic discharge (ESD) strap
  • Thermal paste
  • Cable tester
  • Cable toner
  • Wi-Fi analyzer
  • Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) to USB connectors
  • Operating systems - Linux
[ 2.0: wiki topics ]

Form factor (design)

Linux distribution

[ 3.0: other links ]

raspberrypi - for projects and computing

anki cards - flash card program

[ 4.0: windows commands ]

commands for pc health

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
↳ provides repair files for corrupted system files. run this prior to running the sfc command below

sfc /scannow
↳ system file checker, scans system files for corrupt files and repairs them

[ 5.0: other certifications ]

tba

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