CompTIA A+

CompTIA A+ courses are intended for students wishing to qualify with CompTIA A+ Certification. A+ certification is designed to help students become entry-level IT technicians.

A+ Certification is internationally endorsed and recognized as the only benchmark vendor-neutral qualification for PC support and troubleshooting.

Course Prerequisites

It is recommended that students have the following skills and knowledge before starting this course:

• Use a keyboard and mouse.

• Recognize the main components of a PC and different data media such as USB drives and DVD.

• Start the computer and navigate the desktop.

• Use Windows Explorer to create directories and subdirectories and manage files.

• Use Internet Explorer to view websites

CompTIA A+ (220-1001)

Motherboards, Processors, and Memory

• Identifying Components of Motherboards

• System Board Form Factors / Components

• Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Processors

• Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Memory

• Important Memory Terms

• Types of Memory / Memory Packaging

• Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Cooling Systems

• Fans / Memory Cooling /Hard Drive Cooling / Chipset Cooling /CPU Cooling

Storage Devices and Power Supplies

• Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Storage Devices

• Hard Disk Drive Systems / Solid-State Drives

• Optical Storage Drives / Drive Interfaces and RAID

• Removable Storage and Media

• Installing, Removing, and Configuring Storage Devices

• Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Power Supplies

• Dual-Rail Architecture

• Power and Voltage Ratings / Connectors

• Replacing Power Supplies / AC Adapters as Power Supplies

Peripherals and Expansion

• Installing and Configuring Expansion Cards

• Video / Multimedia / I/O

• Communications

• Adapter Configuration

• Identifying Characteristics of Connectors and Cables

• Device Connector Types

• Common Peripheral Cables and Their Interfaces

• Video Display Cables and Connectors

• Input Devices / Mouse /Touchpad /Keyboard /Scanner /Barcode Reader

• Digitizer / Biometric Devices

• Gamepads and Joysticks

• Motion Sensor /Smart Card Reader

• Multimedia Input Devices

• Output Devices /Printers /Speakers /Display Devices

• Input and Output Devices /Touchscreens /KVM Switch /Smart TV /Set-Top Box

Display Devices

• Understanding Display Types and Settings

• Video Display Types /Adjusting Display Settings

• Understanding Video Standards and Technologies

• Advanced Video Resolutions and Concepts

Custom Configurations

• Standard Thick Clients

• Graphic and CAD/CAM Design Workstations

• CPU Enhancements

• Video Enhancements

• Maximized RAM

• Audio/Video Editing Workstations

• Video Enhancements

• Specialized Audio /Specialized Hard Drives

• Virtualization Workstations

• CPU Enhancements /Maximized RAM

• Gaming PCs

• CPU Enhancements /Video Enhancements

• Specialized Audio /Enhanced Cooling

• Home Theater PCs /Video Enhancements

• Specialized Audio /Special Chassis and TV Tuner

• Thin Clients /Home Server PCs

• Media Streaming Capabilities

• File and Print Sharing Services

• Gigabit NIC /RAID Array

Networking Fundamentals

• Understanding Networking Principles

• Understanding Networking Fundamentals

• Identifying Common Network Hardware

• Network Interface Cards (NICs)

• Cables and Connectors

• Networking Components

Introduction to TCP/IP

• Understanding TCP/IP

• TCP/IP Structure

• Understanding IP Addressing

Installing Wireless and SOHO Networks

• Understanding Wireless Networking

• 802.11 Networking Standards / Devices

• Wireless Encryption Methods

• Installing and Configuring SOHO Networks

• Choosing Connection Types

• Installing the Network

• Configuring a Wireless Router

Understanding Laptops

• Understanding Laptop Architecture

• Laptops vs. Desktops

• Laptop Case /Motherboards and Processors

• Memory /Storage

• Input Devices / Expansion Buses and Ports

• Docking Stations /Power Systems

• Laptop Displays /Cable Locks

• Disassembling and Reassembling Laptops

• Using the Right Tools

• Replacing Laptop Components

Understanding Mobile Devices

• Understanding Mobile Devices

• Characteristics of Mobile Devices

• Tablets /Smartphones /Phablets /e-Readers

• GPS /Smart Cameras

• Wearable Technology Devices

• Connection Types

• Mobile Device Accessories

Installing and Configuring Printers

• Understanding Print Technologies and Imaging Processes

• Impact Printers /Inkjet /Laser Printers /Thermal Printers

• Virtual Printers /Installing and Configuring Printers

• Installing and Sharing Local Printers

• Installing and Sharing Networked Printers

• Performing Printer Maintenance and Upgrades

• Performing Printer Maintenance

• Installing Printer Upgrades

Hardware and Network Troubleshooting

• Troubleshooting Core Hardware Issues

• Troubleshooting Motherboards, CPUs, RAM, and Power Problems

• Troubleshooting Storage Device Problems

• Troubleshooting Video Issues /Mobile Devices, Printers, and Networking

• Troubleshooting Common Mobile Device Issues

• Troubleshooting Printer Problems / Networking Problems

Operating System Basics

• Understanding Operating Systems

• Operating System Terms and Concepts

• Minimum System Requirements

• The Windows Interface

• Updating Windows

• Creating Restore Points

• File Management

• Going Virtual

Operating System Administration

• Interacting with Operating Systems

• Control Panel

• The Command Prompt

• Virtual Memory

• Administrative Tools

• Task Manager /MMC

• Computer Management /Services

• Performance Monitor /Task Scheduler

• Windows System Configuration Tools

• Power Management /Disk Management

• Getting Disks Ready to Store Files and Programs

• Backing Up the Data on Your Drives

• Checking the Health of Hard Disks and Optimizing Their Performance

• User Authentication

Working with Windows 8/8.1

• Windows Editions /Installing Windows 8

• Unattended Installation/Image Deployment

• Remote Network Installation /Multiboot Installation

• Repair Installation/Refresh/Restore

• Recovery Partition /Windows 8 Boot Methods

• Internal Hard Drive (Partition)

• External/Hot Swappable Drive /Flash Drives

• Solid-State Drives /Netboot

Working with Windows 7

• Windows 7 Editions /Installing / Upgrading Editions

• Installation/Upgrade Boot Options

• The Windows 7 Boot Sequences

• Key Boot Files / Windows 7 Features

• Tools in Windows 7

• Windows 7 Administrative Tools

• Local Users and Groups

• Local Security Policy / System Configuration

• Component Services /Data Sources

• Print Management /Windows Memory Diagnostics

• Unique Control Panel Utilities /HomeGroup

• RemoteApp and Desktop Connections

• Troubleshooting /Networking and Windows 7

• Configuring an Alternative IP Address in Windows

• Network Card Properties /Configuring Windows Networking

• Windows 7 System Performance and Optimization

Working with Windows Vista

• Windows Vista Editions /Installing Windows Vista

• Clean Install /Upgrading to Windows Vista

• Transferring to Windows Vista

• The Windows Vista Boot Sequences

• Key Boot Files /Windows Vista Features

• Tools in Windows Vista /Windows Vista Administrative Tools

• Users and Groups /Local Security Policy

• System Configuration /Component Services

• Data Sources /Print Management

• Windows Memory Diagnostics /Distinctive Utilities

• Tablet PC Settings /Pen and Input Devices

• Offline Files /Problem Reports and Solutions

• Printers /Networking and Windows Vista

• Vista System Performance and Optimization

• Aero /User Account Control /Indexing /Sidebar

Working with Mac OS and Linux

• Best Practices /Scheduled Backups

• Scheduled Disk Maintenance /System Updates/App Store

• Patch Management /Driver/Firmware Updates

• Antivirus/Antimalware Updates

• Tools /Features

• Basic Linux Commands

• Understanding the Syntax of Shell Commands

• Discovering and Using Linux Commands

• Becoming root (Superuser)

• Managing Processes /Directory Navigation /Directory Listings

• Changing Permissions and Ownership /Working with Files

• Working with Directories /Networking Utilities

Security

• Common Prevention Methods

• Physical Security /Digital Security

• User Education/AUP /Principle of Least Privilege

• Email Filtering /Virtual Private Networks

• Common Security Threats /Social Engineering

• Password Attacks /Malware /Man-in-the-Middle Attacks

• Rootkits /Phishing /Shoulder Surfing /Spyware /Viruses

• Worms /Trojans /Ransomware /Spoofing /Zero-Day Attack

• Zombie/Botnet /Non-Complaint Systems

• Workstation Security Best Practices

• Setting Strong Passwords /Requiring Passwords and Expiration

• Account Management /Restricting User Permissions

• Add Login Time Restrictions /Act on Failed Login Attempts

• Changing Default Usernames /Disabling the Guest Account

• Screensaver Required Password /Disable Autorun

• Data Loss Prevention /Working with Windows OS Security Settings

• Users and Groups /NTFS vs. Share Permissions

• Shared Files and Folders /System Files and Folders

• User Authentication /BitLocker and BitLocker To Go

• EFS /Mobile Device Security

• Screen Locks /Remote Wipes and Locator Applications

• Remote Backup /Operating System Update

• Destruction and Disposal Methods

• Recycling or Repurposing Best Practices

• Low-Level Format vs. Standard Format

• Hard Drive Sanitation and Sanitation Methods

• Physical Destruction /Securing a SOHO Network (Wireless)

• Change Default Usernames and Passwords

• Changing the SSID /Setting Encryption

• Disabling SSID Broadcast /Enable MAC Filtering

• Antenna and Access Point Placement /Radio Power Levels

• Assign Static IP Addresses /WPS /Securing a SOHO Network (Wired)

• Change Default Usernames and Passwords /Assign Static IP Addresses

• Disabling Ports /Physical Security

Network Services, Cloud Computing, and Virtualization

• Understanding Network Services /Server Roles

• Internet Appliances /Legacy and Embedded Systems

• Understanding Cloud Computing and Virtualization

• Concepts of Cloud Computing /Understanding Virtualization

Mobile Operating Systems and Connectivity

• Understanding Mobile Operating Systems

• Comparing Mobile Operating Systems

• Understanding Sensors and Calibration

• Using Additional Mobile Operating System Features

• Network Connectivity and Email

• Understanding Cellular Data Connections

• Establishing Wi-Fi Connectivity

• Establishing Bluetooth Connectivity

• Configuring Email Accounts

• Mobile Device Synchronization

• Syncing Apple iOS Devices

• Syncing Android Devices

• Software Installation Requirements

Troubleshooting Theory, OSs, and Security

• Understanding Troubleshooting Theory

• Identifying the Problem

• Establishing a Theory

• Testing Solutions

• Establishing a Plan of Action

• Verifying Functionality

• Documenting the Work

• Troubleshooting Operating Systems

• Common Symptoms

• Operating System Tools

• Troubleshooting Security Issues

• Common Symptoms

• Security Tools

• Best Practices for Malware Removal

• Troubleshooting Mobile Issues

• Troubleshooting Mobile Security Issues

Understanding Operational Procedures

• Understanding Safety Procedures

• Identifying Potential Safety Hazards

• Creating a Safe Workplace

• Understanding Environmental Controls

• Managing the Physical Environment

• Handling and Disposing of Computer Equipment

• Understanding Policies, Licensing, and Privacy

• Managing Software Licenses

• Managing Sensitive Information

• Demonstrating Professionalism

• Communicating with Customers

• Using Appropriate Behavior

• Putting It All in Perspective