CompTIA A+ (220-1201) Core 1 - Learn Tech From Zero

Course Description:
The CompTIA A+ 220-1201 is part of the globally recognized CompTIA A+ certification, which is designed for entry-level IT professionals. This course focuses on the 220-1201 exam objectives, covering essential topics such as hardware, networking, mobile devices, virtualization, and cloud computing.

Why We Need It:
In today’s technology-driven world, IT professionals need a strong foundation in computer hardware, software, and troubleshooting. The CompTIA A+ certification validates that students have the skills necessary to support modern IT environments. It is widely recognized by employers, making it a valuable credential for launching an IT career.

How It Is Useful:

Equips students with hands-on skills to troubleshoot and maintain computers, networks, and mobile devices.
Prepares students for real-world IT support roles, including help desk technician, technical support specialist, and IT support administrator.
Serves as a stepping stone to more advanced certifications, such as CompTIA Network+ or Security+.

Course Benefits:

Understanding the latest hardware and software technologies.
Learning effective troubleshooting techniques.
Gaining practical knowledge on networking, security, and cloud concepts.
Enhancing employability in IT support and technical roles.

Certification Validity & Renewal:

The CompTIA A+ certification is valid for three years from the date of passing.
Renewal can be done through Continuing Education (CE) activities, such as taking higher-level certifications, earning CompTIA-approved credits, or participating in professional development.

Summary:
The CompTIA A+ 220-1201 course is essential for anyone starting a career in IT support. It provides foundational knowledge and practical skills to troubleshoot devices, manage networks, and adapt to evolving technology trends, all while preparing students to pass the official certification exam.

CompTIA A 220-1201 Exam Objectives (3.0)Download

Exam Objectives (Version 3.0)

1.0 Mobile Devices (13%)

1.1 Given a scenario, monitor mobile device hardware and use appropriate replacement
techniques.

1.2 Compare and contrast accessories and connectivity options for mobile devices

Connection methods
Docking stations
Port replicators
Trackpad/drawing pad/track points
Accessories
- Stylus
- Headsets
- Speakers
- Webcam

1.3 Given a scenario, configure basic mobile device network connectivity and provide
application support.

Wireless/cellular data networks (enable/disable)
− 3G/4G/5G
− Hotspot
− Wi-Fi
− Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)/eSIM

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

Bluetooth
− Enable Bluetooth
− Enable pairing
− Find a device for pairing
− Enter the appropriate personal identification number (PIN) code
− Test connectivity

Mobile device synchronization
− Recognizing data caps
− Calendar
− Contacts
− Business applications
◦ Mail
◦ Cloud storage

2.0 Networking (23%)

2.1 Compare and contrast Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol
(UDP) ports, protocols, and their purposes.

2.2 Explain wireless networking technologies

2.3 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

2.4 Explain common network configuration concepts

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

2.5 Compare and contrast common networking hardware devices.

Routers
Switches
- Managed
- Unmanaged
Cable modem
Digital subscriber line (DSL)
Optical network terminal (ONT)
Network interface card (NIC)
− Physical media access control (MAC) address
Access points
Patch panels
Firewalls
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
- Injectors
- Switch
- PoE standards

2.6 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

2.7 Compare and contrast internet connection types, network types, and their
characteristics.

Internet connections 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)

2.8 Explain networking tools and their purposes.

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

3.0 Hardware (25%)

3.1 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)
Touchscreen/digitizer
Inverter
Attributes
- Pixel density
- Refresh rates
- Screen resolution
- Color gamut

3.2 Summarize basic cable types and their connectors, features, and purposes.

Network cables
- Copper Categories
  ը T568A/T568B standards
  ◦ Coaxial
  ◦ Shielded twisted pair
  ը 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

3.3 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

3.4 Compare and contrast storage devices.

HDDs
- Spindle speed
- 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 achment (mSATA)
Drive configurations
− Redundant Array of Independent
Disks (RAID) 0, 1, 5, 6, 10
− Flash drive
− Memory cards
Optical drives

3.5 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

3.6 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

3.7 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

3.8 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

4.0 Virtualization and Cloud Computing (11%)

4.1 Explain virtualization concepts

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

4.2 Summarize cloud computing 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

5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (28%)

5.1 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

5.2 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

5.3 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

5.4 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

5.5 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

5.6 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