CompTIA A+ Exam: Core 1 - 220-1001 & Core 2- 220-1002

CPU and Motherboards

• Form Factor (e.g. ATX / BTX, micro ATX / NLX
• Installing a Motherboard
• Riser Cards
• North Bridge and South Bridge
• Bus slots (e.g. PCI, AGP, PCIe, AMR, and CNR)
• Live Demo: A Motherboard
• DIP Switches and Jumpers
• How CPUs Work
• Bus Structures
• Processors and Chipsets: Third Generation: The 32-Bit 80386
• Summary - Original Processors, Fifth Generation: Pentium Processors, Dual- core
• The Pentium 4, Mobile "Centrino" Technology
• The Core Naming Convention, AMD
• Installing a CPU, CPU Performance, CPU Characteristics

Mobile Devices:

Install and configure laptop hardware and components

• Hardware/device replace: keyboard, Hard drive: SSD Vs hybrid Vs magnetic disk
• Memory, Smart card reader, Optical drive
• wireless card/Bluetooth module, Cellular card
• Video card, Mini PCIe, Screen, DC Jack, battery
• Touchpad, Plastics/frames, speaker, system board, CPU

Install components within the display of a Laptop

• Types: LCD, OLED, Wifi antenna connector/placement
• Webcam, Microphone, Inverter, Digitizer/touchscreen
• Microphone, Inverter, Digitizer/touchscreen

Laptop Features

• Special Function Keys: Dual displays, Wireless (on/off), Cellular (on/off)
• Volume settings, Screen brightness, Bluetooth (on/off), Keyboard backlight
• Touchpad (on/off), Screen orientation, Media options (fast forward/rewind), GPS (on/off)
• Airplane mode, Docking Station, Port replicator
• Laptop Lock and Cable Lock, Rotating/removable screens

Various Types of Mobile Devices

• Tablets, Smartphones
• Wearable technology devices: Smart watches, Fitness monitors, VR/Ar Headsets
• E-readers, GPS

Connect and configure accessories and port of other mobile devices

• Connection types: Wired, Micro-USB/mini-USB/USB-C, Lightning, Tethering, Proprietary vendor specific, ports
• Wireless: NFC, Bluethoot, IR, Hotspot
• Accessories: Headsets, speakers, Game pads, Extra battery pack, Battery chargers
• Protective cover/waterproofing, credit card reader, memory/MicroSD

Mobile Device Network Connectivity and Application Support

• Wireless/Cellular Data network, Hotspot, Airplane Mode, Bluetooth, device pairing, test connectivity
• Corporate and ISP email configuration: POP3, IMAP, Port and SSL Settings, S/MIME
• iCloud, Google/inbox, Exchange Online, Yahoo
• PRI updates/PRL updates/Baseband updates, Radio Firmware, IMEI Vs IMSI, VPN

Mobile Device Synchronization

• Synchronization Method
• Types of data synchronize: Email, Contacts, Applications, Pictures
• Music, Videos, Calendar, bookmarks, Documents, Location Data, Social Media

Networking:

LAN (Local Area Networking)

• Ethernet Cabling
• TCP/IP Networking
• Installing and Configuring a Wired Network
• Troubleshooting Networks

Wireless Networking

• Wireless Networking Components
• Wireless Networking Standards
• Installing and Configuring Wireless Networking
• Troubleshooting Wi-Fi

Internet

• Overview of how Internet Works
• Connecting to the Internet
• Internet Application Protocols
• Internet Troubleshooting

TCP and UDP Ports, Protocols

• Ports and Protocols
• FTP, SSH, Telnet, SMTP, DNS, HTTP, HTTPS, POP3, IMAP, HTTPS, RDP, NETBIOS, SMB/QFS, SLP, AFP, DHCP, LDAP, SNMP
• TCP Vs UDP

Common Networking Hardware Devices

• Routers, Switches, Access points, Cloud-based network controller
• Firewall, Network Interface Card, Repeater, Hub, Cable/DSL Modem, Bridge, Patch Panel, Power Over Ethernet(PoE), Ethernet over power

Install and configure a basic wired/wireless SOHO Network

• Router/switch, Access Point setting, IP Addressing, NIC configuration
• End-user-device Configuration, IoT device configuration, thermostat, light switches, security camera
• Firewall Settings: DMZ, Port forwarding, NAT, PnP, MAC Filtering
• Wireless Setting: Encryption, channels, QoS

Wireless Networking Protocols

• 802.11a, 802.11b
• Channels: 1-11, Bluetooth, NFC, RFID, Zigbee,Z-wave, 3G, 4G, LTE

Networked hosts services

• Server role: Web server, File server, print server, DHCP Server
• DNS server, Proxy server, Mail Server, Authentication server, syslog

Hardware:

Cable types

• Network Cables: Cat 5, cat 5e, cat , shielded twisted pair, unshielded twisted pair, Fiber, Coaxial
• Video Cables:VGA, HDMI, MiniHDMI, Display Port, DVI
• Multipurpose cables: Thunderbolt, USB, USB-C, USB2.0
• Peripheral Cables: Serial
• Hard Drive Cables: SATA, IDE, SCSI
• Adapters: DVI to HDMI, USB to Ethernet, DVI to VGA

Microprocessors

• CPU Core Components
• Memory, Modern CPUs
• Selecting, Installing, and Troubleshooting CPUs
• Single-core, multicore, Virtualization, Hyperthreading, Speed, Overclocking, AMD, Intel

RAM(Random Access Memory)

• Understanding DRAM
• Types of RAM: SDDIMM, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4
• Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel
• Parity Vs non-parity, Troubleshooting RAM

BIOS

• BIOS, CMOS
• Option ROM and Device Drivers
• Power-On Self Test (POST)
• Care and Feeding of BIOS and CMOS, UEFI

Motherboards

• Overview of Motherboards Work
• System Board, Expansion Bus
• Upgrading and Installing Motherboards
• Motherboard form factor: ATX, mATX, ITX, mITX
• Motherboard Connectors: PCI, PCIe, Riser Card, SATA, IDE
• BIOS Settings: Boot Options, Firmware Updates
• Security Settings: Password, Drive encryption
• CMOS battery
• Cooling Mechanism: Fans, Heat Sink, Liquid, Thermal Paste
• Expansion Card: Video Cards, Sound Cards, Network Interface Card, USN Expension, eSATA Card

Power Supplies

• Understanding Electricity, Powering the PC
• Installing and Maintaining Power Supplies
• Troubleshooting Power Supplies

Hard Drive and Storage Device Technologies

• How Hard Drives Work, Parallel and Serial ATA
• SCSI Hard Drive, Protecting Data with RAID
• BIOS Support: Configuring CMOS and Installing Drivers
• Troubleshooting Hard Drive Installation
• Optical Drives: CD-ROM/CD-RW, DVD-ROM/DVD-RW, Blu-ray, BD-R
• Solid State Drives: M2 Drives, NVME, SATA
• Magnetic Hard Drives: 5400rpm, 7200rpm, 10000rpm, 15000rpm
• Flash: SD Card, CompactFlash, MicroSD card, MiniSD Card
• Configuration: RAID 0,1,5,10, Hot Swappable

Implementing Hard Drives

• Hard Drive Partitions, Hard Drive Formatting
• The Partitioning and Formatting Process
• Maintaining and Troubleshooting Hard Drives

Removable Media

• Floppy Drives, Flash Memory
• Optical Drives, Troubleshooting Removable Media

Hardware and Software

• Installing: RAM, PCI Card, PCI Express Card, Power Supply, IDE Hard Drive
• Installing: SATA Hard Drive, SCSI Drive, DVD Drive, Video Card, Laptop Keyboard
• SO-DIMM in a Laptop
• Installing a Laptop Hard Drive, Laptop Optical Drive
• Installing Drivers from the Internet
• Reformatting a Hard Drive Using Windows

Various Peripheral Types

• Printer, Scanner, Barcode Scanner / QR Scanner
• Monitors, VR Headset, Optical Drive, Mouse, Keyword, Touchpad, Signature pad
• Game controllers, Microphone, Camera/Webcam, Speaker
• Projector: Lumens/brightness
• Magnetic reader, NFC/tap pay device, Smart Card Reader

Network Configuration and Concepts

• IP Addressing: Static, Dynamic, APIPA, Link Local
• DNS, DHCP, IPv4 Vs IPv6, Subnet mask, Gateway, VPN, VLAN, NAT

Internet Connection Types, Network Types

• Internet Connection Types: Cable, DSL, Dial-up, fiber, Satellite

Network Tool

• Crimper, Cable Striper, Multimeter, Tone generator and probe
• Cable Tester, Loop back, loopback ping, Punchdown tool, WIFI analyzer

Common Connector Type

• RJ-11, RJ45, RS232, BNC, RG-59, RG-6, USB, Micro-USB, Mini-USB, USB-C, DB-9, SCSI, eSATA, Molex

Multimedia

• Sound, Video Capture
• Overview of TV Tuners
• Multimedia Players
• Bluetooth Technologies

Portable Computing

• Portable Computing Devices
• Expanding Portable Computers
• Managing and Maintaining Portable Computers
• Upgrading and Repairing Laptop Computers
• Troubleshooting Portable Computers

Printers

• Printer Technologies
• Type of Printers: Laser, Inkjet, Thermal, Impact, Virtual, 3D printers
• Virtual Printer: Print to file, Print to PDF, Print to XPS, Print to Image
• The Laser Printing Process
• Installing a Printer in Windows
• Troubleshooting Printers

Virtualization and Cloud Computing

• Common cloud model: IaaS, SaaS, PaaS, Public Vs Private

Scanner

• Scanning Technologies
• Scanner Manufacturers
• Scanning Pictures
• Scanning and Creating PDF documents

PC Configuration to meet Customer specifications

• Graphic/CAD/CAM Design workstation: SSD, High-end Video, Maximum RAM
• Audio/Video editing workstation: Specialized audio and Video card, large, fast hard drive, dual monitors
• Virtualization workstation: Maximum RAM and CPU cores
• Gaming PC: SSD, High-end video, High-definition sound card, High-end cooling
• Network attached storage device: Media Streaming, file sharing, gigabit NIC, RAID array, Hard Drive
• Standard Thick Client: Desktop Applications, meets recommended OS
• Thin Client: Basic application, Meet recommended OS, Network Connectivity

Troubleshooting techniques for operating systems

• Auto-restart errors, Blue screen error, System lock-up
• Device drivers failure (input/output devices),
• Application install, start or load failure, Boot (e.g. invalid boot disk, inaccessible boot device, missing NTLDR)
• Tools to resolve operational problems
• Startup Modes ( safe mode, safe mode with command prompt or networking), Task and Device Manager, Event Viewer, MSCONFIG command , Recovery CD / Recovery partition, Remote Desktop Connection and Assistance, System File Checker(SFC)
• OS related symptoms, Bluescreen, Input/output device, Windows specific printing problems, Hardware related symptoms, Laptop Power conditions, Wireless card issues, maintenance techniques, Drivers, Firmware, OS, Security, Defrag, Scandisk , check disk, startup programs

Operating System Types and Their Purposes

• 32-bit vs. 64-bit
• RAM limitations, Software compatibility
• Workstation operating systems: Microsoft Windows, Apple Macintosh OS, Linux
• Cell phone/tablet operating systems: Microsoft Windows, Android, iOS, Chrome OS
• Vendor-specific limitations, End-of-life
• Compatibility concerns between operating systems

Common operating system types and their purposes

• 32 bit Vs 64bit, RAM Limitations, Software Compatibility
• Workstation Operating Systems, Microsoft Windows, Apple Macintosh OS, Linux
• Cell Phone/tablet operating systems, Microsoft Windows, Android, IOS, Chrome OS
• Update Limitation, Compatibility concerns between Operating System

Microsoft Windows Versions

• Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10
• Corporate and Personal Use, Domain Access, BitLocker, Media Center, BranchCache, EFS
• Desktop Style/User Interface

Operating System Installation Consideration and Upgrade

• Boot Methods
• Optical disc(CD-ROM, DVD, Blu-ray)
• External drive/flash drive (USB/eSATA)
• Network boot (PXE)
• Internal fixed disk (HDD/SSD), Internal hard drive (partition)
• Installation Types, Unattended installation
• Clean install, Repair installation, Multiboot
• Remote network installation, Image deployment, Recovery partition
• Refresh/restore, Partitioning
• Dynamic, Basic, Primary, Extended, Logical
• File system types/formatting: ExFAT, FAT32, NTFS, CDFS, NFS, ext3, ext4, HFS
• Quick Format Vs. Full Format
• Workgroup Vs Domain setup
• Factory Recovery Partition
• Prerequisites/hardware compatibility
• OS compatibility/Upgrade Path

Microsoft Command Line Tools

• Navigation, Dir, cd, ipconfig, ping, tracert, netstat, nslookup, shutdown, dism, sfc, chkdsk, taskkill, gpupdate, gpresult, format, copy, xcopy, robocopy, net use, net user

Microsoft Operating System Features and Tools

• Computer Management, Device Manager, Local Users and Groups
• Local Security Policy, Performance Monitor
• Services, System Configuration, Task Scheduler, Component Services
• Print Management, Windows Memory Diagnostics
• Windows Firewall, Advanced Security, Event Viewer, User Account Management
• MSconfig: General, Boot, Services, Startup
• Task Manager: Applications, Processes, Performance
• Networking, Users, Disk Management: Drive status
• Assigning/changing drive letters
• Adding drives, arrays, storage spaces
• here
• System Utilities: Regedit
• Command, Services.msc, MMC, MSTSC, Msinfo32
• DxDiag, Disk Defragmenter, System Restore, Windows Update

Microsoft Windows Control Panel Utilities

• Internet Options, Display/ Display Settings, Folder Options, Sstem, Windows Firewall, Power Options
• Credential Manager, Programs and Features, HomeGroup, Devices and Printers, Sound, Troubleshotting, Network and Sharing Center, Device Manager, BitLocker, Sync Center

Application installation and Configuration

• System requirements: drive space, ram, Local, CD/USB, Neetwork-based, Local user permissions, security considerations, impact to device, impact to network.

Microsoft Windows Networking

• Client / Desktop computers, Domain Setup, Network share/administrative shares/mapping drives
• Printer mapping, Establish Networking connections, VPN, Dial-ups, Wireless, Wired, Cellular, Proxy Settings, Remote Desktop, Remote Assistance, Home Vs Work Vs Public network settings, Firewall Settings, Exceptions, Configuration, Windows Firewall, IP addressing, subnet mask, DNS, Gateway
• Network Card Properties: Half duplex/full duplex/auto, Speed, Wake-on-LAN, QoS, BIOS (on-board NIC)

Features and Tools of the Mac OS and Linux Client/Desktop OS

• Scheduled backups: Scheduled disk maintenance, System updates/App Store, Patch management
• Driver/firmware updates, Antivirus/Anti-malware updates
• Tools: Backup/Time Machine, Restore/Snapshot, Image recovery
• Disk maintenance utilities, Shell/Terminal, Screen sharing, Force Quit

Multiple desktops/Mission Control

• Key Chain, Spot Light, iCloud, Gestures, Finder, Remote Disc, Dock, Boot Camp

Basic Linux Command

• ls, grep, cd, shutdown, pwd vs. passwd, mv, cp, rm, chmod, chown
• iwconfig/ifconfig, ps, su/sudo, apt-get, vi, dd, kill

Importance of Physical Security Measures

• Mantrap, Badge reader, Smart card, Security guard, Door lock, Biometric locks, hardware tokens
• cable locks, server locks, usb locks, privacy screen, key fobs, entry control roster

Active Directory

• Logical Security Concepts
• Login script, Domain, Group Policy/Updates, Organizational Units, Home Folder, Folder redirection
• Software Tokens, Port Security, MAC address Filtering, Certificates, Antivirus/Anti-malware, Firewalls, User authentication/Strong Passwords, Multifactor authentication, Directory Permissions, VPN, DLP, Access control lists, smart card, email filtering, Trusted/Untrusted Software sources

Wireless security protocols

• Protocols and encryption: WEP, WPA, WPA2, TKIP, AES
• Authentication: Single-factor, Multifactor, RADIUS, TACACS
• Detect, Remove and Prevent malware Tools and Methods
• Malware: Ransomware, Trojan, Keylogger, Rootkit, Virus, Botnet, Worm, Spyware
• Tools and methods: Antivirus, Anti-malware, Recovery console, Backup/restore

Microsoft Windows OS Security Settings

• User and Groups
• NTFS Vs share permissions
• Shared Files and Folders
• System Files and Folders
• Active Directory and its Functionsre
• User Authentication, Single Sign-on
• Run as administrator Vs Standard User
• BitLocker, EFS

Secure Workstation

• Password best practices
• Account management, Active Directory User Management

Securing Mobile Devices

• Screen Locks: Finger Print, Face Lock, Passcode Lock
• Remote wipes, Locator application, remote backup application, failed login attempts restrictions, antivirus/Anti-malware
• Patching OS updates, Authenticator applications, Trusted sources vs untrusted sources

Implement Appropriate Data Destruction and Disposal Methods

• Physical destruction: Shredder, Drill/hammer, incineration, Eletromagnetic
• Recycling or repurposing best practices: Low-Level Format Vs Standard Format
• overwrite, Drive wipe

Configure Security on SOHO wireless and wired networks

• Wireless-Specific: SSID, setting encryption, Disabling SSID broadcast, WPS
• Firewall settings, port forwarding/mapping
• Change default password
• Disabling ports, content filtering, parental controls, update firmware, physical security
• Enable MAC filtering, Assign static IP addresses

Software Troubleshooting Microsoft OS Problems

• Common Symptoms: Slow Performance, limited connectivity, failure to boot, No OS Found, Application crashes, Blue Screen
• Black screens, printing issues, services fail to start, slow bootup, slow profile load
• Common Solutions: Defragment the HD, Reboot, Kill Task, Restart Services, Update Network Settings, reimage/reload OS, Roll Back updates, Roll back device drivers, repair application, update boot order, Disable Services and applications, Disable application startup, Safe boot, Rebuild Windows profiles

Trouble Shoot and resolve PC security issues

• Common Symptoms: Pop-ups, browser redirection, security alerts, slow performance, internet connectivity issues, PC/OS loockup, application crash, os updates failures, rouge antivirus, spam, rename system files, file permission changes, hijacked email, system/application log errors

Malware removal

• identify and research malware symptoms
• Quarantine the infected systems
• Disable System Restore
• Remediate the infected systems: scan and removal techniques, safe mode, pre-installation environment
• schedule scans and run updates
• enable system restore and create

Mobile OS and Application issues

• Common Symptom
• Dim display
• Intermittent wireless, No wireless connectivity, No Bluetooth connectivity
• Cannot broadcast to external monitor
• Touchscreen non-responsive
• Slow performance
• Unable to decrypt email
• Extremely short battery life
• No sound from speakers
• Inaccurate touch screen response

Troubleshoot Mobile OS and Application Security Issues

• Signal drop/weak signal
• Power drain
• Unintended WiFi connection
• Unintended Bluetooth pairing

Practices Associated Types of Documentation

• Network topology Diagrams
• Knowledge base, Incident Documentation
• Regulatory and compliance policy
• Acceptable use policy, Password policy
• Inventory management, asset tags, barcodes

Basic Change Management Best Practices

• Documented business processes
• Risk analysis, Plan for change
• Change board, Blackout plan, Document changes

Disaster Prevention and Recovery Methods

• Backup and recovery, image level, file level, critical application, Backup testing, UPS, Surge protector, Cloud storage Vs Local Storage Backups, Account recovery options

Common Safety Procedures

• Equipment grounding
• Proper component handling and storage
• Toxic waste handling, Personal Safety
• Compliance with government regulations

Use Proper Communication Techniques and Professionalism

• Use proper language and avoid jargon
• Maintain a positive attitude
• Be on time, Avoid distractions
• Dealing with difficult, Customer or situations

Identify the basics of scripting

• Script file types: bat, ps1, vbs, sh, py, js
• Environment variables, comment syntax, basic loops, variables, integers, strings

Use Remote Access Technologies

• RDP, Telnet, SSH, Third-party tools: screen share feature, file share
• Security consideration of each access method