Course Overview:
The CompTIA Server+ (SK0-005) certification is designed for IT professionals who want to validate their knowledge and skills in server hardware, software, storage, best practices, disaster recovery, and troubleshooting in a data center or server environment. Unlike many vendor-specific certifications, Server+ covers a broad range of server technologies, making it highly versatile for careers in IT infrastructure, systems administration, and server management.
Why We Need It:
Servers are the backbone of modern IT environments, powering businesses, websites, applications, and cloud services. Server+ ensures that IT professionals can effectively manage, maintain, and troubleshoot server systems, reducing downtime and improving operational efficiency. Organizations benefit from certified staff who understand hardware, virtualization, security, and disaster recovery.
How It Is Useful:
- Validates skills in server architecture, installation, configuration, and maintenance.
- Covers network storage, security, disaster recovery, and virtualization concepts.
- Prepares professionals to handle troubleshooting and performance optimization.
- Enhances career opportunities for roles like Server Administrator, Systems Administrator, IT Technician, and Data Center Technician.
Course Benefits:
- Gain hands-on experience with server technologies.
- Learn best practices for installation, upgrades, and maintenance.
- Understand security and disaster recovery protocols for server environments.
- Boost credibility with employers through a globally recognized certification.
Certification Details:
- Exam Code: SK0-005
- Format: Multiple choice and performance-based questions
- Recommended Experience: 18–24 months of IT experience, including server support and administration
- Renewal: CompTIA certifications typically require renewal every 3 years through continuing education (CE) or retesting.
Who Should Take This Course:
This course is ideal for IT professionals working with servers, aspiring system administrators, network engineers, or anyone who wants to gain in-depth knowledge of server technologies.
Key Skills Covered:
- Server architecture and hardware components
- Installation, configuration, and troubleshooting
- Storage, virtualization, and cloud concepts
- Security and disaster recovery
- Best practices for maintenance and operations
EXAM DOMAINS AND WEIGHTS
| Domain | % of Exam |
|---|---|
| 1.0 Server Hardware Installation and Management | 18% |
| 2.0 Server Administration | 30% |
| 3.0 Security and Disaster Recovery | 24% |
| 4.0 Troubleshooting | 28% |
| Total | 100% |
1.0 Server Hardware Installation and Management (18%)
1.1 Install Physical Hardware
- Racking
- Power cabling
- Network cabling
- Server chassis types: tower, rack mount, blade
- Components: CPU, GPU, memory, expansion cards, buses
- Hardware Compatibility List (HCL)
1.2 Deploy and Manage Storage
- RAID levels: 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, JBOD
- Hardware vs. software RAID
- Hard drives: SSD (read/write intensive), HDD (RPMs), hybrid
- Interfaces: SAS, SATA, PCI, eSATA, USB, SD
- Shared storage: NAS (NFS/CIFS), SAN (iSCSI, FC, FCoE)
- Capacity planning
1.3 Perform Server Hardware Maintenance
- Out-of-band management: remote drive/console, IP KVM
- Local admin: KVM, crash cart, serial console
- Component maintenance: firmware upgrades, hot-swappable drives/cards/fans/power
- BIOS/UEFI configuration
1.4 Install Server Operating Systems
- Minimum OS requirements, HCL checks
- Install types: GUI, Core, bare-metal, virtualized, remote, unattended/slipstream
- Partitioning: GPT vs. MBR, dynamic disks, LVM
- File systems: NTFS, ext4, VMFS, ReFS, ZFS
- Network infrastructure services: IP config, VLANs, gateways, DNS, DHCP, firewall
2.0 Server Administration (30%)
2.1 Configure and Maintain Server Functions
- Server roles: print, database, file, web, app, messaging
- Storage management: formatting, partitioning, deduplication, quotas
- Monitoring: CPU, memory, disk, IOPS, network, event logs
- Data migration: robocopy, SCP, fast copy
- Admin interfaces: console, RDP, SSH, web
2.2 High Availability Concepts
- Clustering: active-active/passive, failover/failback, heartbeat
- Fault tolerance: component vs. server redundancy
- Redundant network infrastructure: NIC teaming, load balancing (round robin, MRU)
2.3 Virtualization
- Host vs. guest
- Virtual networking: bridged, NAT, vNICs, virtual switches
- Resource allocation: CPU, memory, disk, NIC
- Overprovisioning, scalability
- Cloud models: public, private, hybrid
2.4 Scripting Basics
- Script types: Bash, PowerShell, Batch, VBS
- Loops, variables, conditionals, arrays
- Admin tasks: startup/shutdown, service management, account creation
2.5 Asset Management and Documentation
- Asset tracking: labeling, warranties, life-cycle, inventory
- Documentation: architecture, baselines, workflows, server configurations
- Recovery and SLA documentation
2.6 Licensing Concepts
- Models: per-instance, per-core, site-based, node-locked, virtual vs. physical
- Open source, subscription, volume licensing
- Version compatibility and validation
3.0 Security and Disaster Recovery (24%)
3.1 Data Security Concepts
- Encryption: data at rest vs. in transit
- Retention policies
- BIOS/UEFI and bootloader passwords
- Business impact analysis, lifecycle, cost vs. risk
3.2 Physical Security Concepts
- Physical access: bollards, fencing, guards, cameras, biometric/RFID locks
- Environmental controls: HVAC, fire suppression, sensors
3.3 Identity and Access Management
- User accounts/groups, permissions
- MFA, SSO, auditing of activity
- Role-based, rule-based, and scope-based access
3.4 Server Hardening
- OS/app hardening: disable unused services, apply patches, close ports
- Host security: antivirus, HIDS/HIPS
- Hardware hardening: disable unused ports/devices, BIOS password
- Patching: testing, deployment, change management
3.5 Data Security Risk Mitigation
- Risks: hardware failure, malware, insider threats, theft, data loss
- Mitigation: monitoring, SIEM, two-person integrity, regulatory compliance
3.6 Server Decommissioning
- Removal procedures, media destruction (wiping, degaussing, shredding, crushing)
- Cable remediation, electronics recycling
3.7 Backups and Restores
- Backup types: full, synthetic full, incremental, differential, snapshot
- Media: tape, cloud, disk
- Restore methods and validation
3.8 Disaster Recovery
- Site types: hot, cold, warm, cloud, geographic separation
- Replication: synchronous/asynchronous, mirroring
- Testing: tabletops, live, simulated, production vs. non-production
4.0 Troubleshooting (28%)
4.1 Troubleshooting Methodology
- Identify problem and scope, replicate if possible
- Establish theory, test, plan action
- Implement solution, verify functionality, document findings
4.2 Hardware Troubleshooting
- Common problems: memory, system crash, POST errors, CMOS failure, lockups
- Causes: power, cooling, backplane, overheating, firmware incompatibility
- Tools: event logs, hardware diagnostics, reseating, ESD precautions
4.3 Storage Troubleshooting
- Problems: failed drives, read/write errors, slow I/O, restore failure
- Causes: RAID misconfig, disk failure, controller/HBA issues, bad sectors
- Tools: partition/disk management, RAID tools, logs, monitoring
4.4 OS and Software Troubleshooting
- Problems: login failures, resource/file access, system hangs, patch failures
- Causes: driver incompatibility, missing updates, improper permissions
- Tools: patching, package management, recovery, privileges, configuration management (SCCM, Puppet, GPO)
4.5 Network Troubleshooting
- Problems: connectivity loss, DHCP/DNS issues, unreachable hosts
- Causes: IP misconfig, VLAN misconfig, firewall, NIC, cable issues
- Tools: ping, traceroute, nslookup, netstat, ipconfig/ifconfig, telnet, nc, route
4.6 Security Troubleshooting
- Problems: privilege escalation, access issues, malware infection
- Causes: open ports, misconfigured services, anti-malware, DLP
- Tools: port scanners, sniffers, file integrity monitoring, access controls
