COMPTIA A+ 1101-1102
Core 1
1.0 Mobile Devices
2.0 Networking
3.0 Hardware
4.0 Virtualization and Cloud Computing
5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting
Core 2
1..0 Operating Systems
2.0 Security
3..0 Software Troubleshooting
4.0 Operational Procedur
UpComing Classes
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CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Core 1 Objectives
EXAM NUMBER: CORE 1 (220-1101)
About the Exam
Candidates are encouraged to use this document to help prepare for the CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) certification exam. In order to receive the CompTIA A+ certification, you must pass two exams: Core 1 (220-1101) and Core 2 (220-1102). The CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) and Core 2 (220-1102) certification exams will verify the successful candidate has the knowledge and skills required to:
• Install, configure, and maintain computer equipment, mobile devices, and software for end users
• Service components based on customer requirements
• Understand networking basics and apply basic cybersecurity methods to mitigate threats
• Properly and safely diagnose, resolve, and document common hardware and software issues
• Apply troubleshooting skills and provide customer support using appropriate communication skills
• Understand the basics of scripting, cloud technologies, virtualization, and multi-OS deployments in corporate environments
This is equivalent to 12 months of hands-on experience working in a help desk support technician, desktop support technician, or field service technician job role. These content examples are meant to clarify the test objectives and should not be construed as a comprehensive listing of all the content of this examination.
EXAM ACCREDITATION
The CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) exam is accredited by ANSI to show compliance with the ISO 17024 standard and, as such, undergoes regular reviews and updates to the exam objectives.
EXAM DEVELOPMENT
CompTIA exams result from subject-matter expert workshops and industry-wide survey results regarding the skills and knowledge required of an entry-level IT professional.
CompTIA AUTHORIZED MATERIALS USE POLICY
CompTIA Certifications, LLC is not affiliated with and does not authorize, endorse, or condone utilizing any content provided by unauthorized third-party training sites (aka “brain dumps”). Individuals who utilize such materials in preparation for any CompTIA examination will have their certifications revoked and be suspended from future testing in accordance with the CompTIA Candidate Agreement. In an effort to more clearly communicate CompTIA’s exam policies on use of unauthorized study materials, CompTIA directs all certification candidates to the CompTIA Certification Exam Policies. Please review all CompTIA policies before beginning the study process for any CompTIA exam. Candidates will be required to abide by the CompTIA Candidate Agreement. If a candidate has a question as to whether study materials are considered unauthorized (aka “brain dumps”), he/she should contact CompTIA at examsecurity@comptia.org to confirm.
PLEASE NOTE
The lists of examples provided in bulleted format are not exhaustive lists. Other examples of technologies, processes, or tasks pertaining to each objective may also be included on the exam, although not listed or covered in this objectives document. CompTIA is constantly reviewing the content of our exams and updating test questions to be sure our exams are current, and the security of the questions is protected. When necessary, we will publish updated exams based on existing exam objectives. Please know that all related exam preparation materials will still be valid.
TEST DETAILS
Required exam A+ Core 1 (220-1101)
Number of questions Maximum of 90
Types of questions Multiple-choice and performance-based Length of test 90 minutes
Recommended experience 12 months of hands-on experience in a help
desk support technician, desktop support technician, or field service technician job role
Passing score 675 (on a scale of 100–900)
EXAM OBJECTIVES (DOMAINS)
The table below lists the domains measured by this examination and the extent to which they are represented.
1.0 Mobile Devices 15%
2.0 Networking 20%
3.0 Hardware 25%
4.0 Virtualization and Cloud Computing 11%
5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting 29%
Total 100%
Given a scenario, install and configure laptop hardware and components.
• Hardware/device replacement
- Battery
- Keyboard/keys
- Random-access memory (RAM)
- Hard disk drive (HDD)/solid- state drive (SSD) migration
- HDD/SSD replacement
- Wireless cards
• Physical privacy and security components
- Biometrics
- Near-field scanner features
Compare and contrast the display components of mobile devices.
• Types
- Liquid crystal display (LCD)
M In-plane switching (IPS)
M Twisted nematic (TN)
M Vertical alignment (VA)
- Organic light-emitting diode (OLED)
• Mobile display components
• WiFi antenna connector/ placement
• Camera/webcam
• Microphone
• Touch screen/digitizer
• Inverter
Given a scenario, set up and configure accessories and ports of mobile devices.
• Connection methods
- Universal Serial Bus (USB)/ USB-C/microUSB/miniUSB
- Lightning
- Serial interfaces
- Near-field communication (NFC)
- Bluetooth
- Hotspot
• Accessories
- Touch pens
- Headsets
- Speakers
- Webcam
• Docking station
• Port replicator
• Trackpad/drawing pad
1.0 | Mobile Devices
Given a scenario, configure basic mobile-device network connectivity and application support.
• Wireless/cellular data network (enable/disable)
- 2G/3G/4G/5G
- Hotspot
- Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) vs. code-division multiple access (CDMA)
- Preferred Roaming List (PRL) updates
• Bluetooth
- Enable Bluetooth
- Enable pairing
- Find a device for pairing
- Enter the appropriate PIN code
- Test connectivity
• Location services
- Global Positioning System (GPS) services
- Cellular location services
• Mobile device management (MDM)/mobile application management (MAM)
- Corporate email configuration
- Two-factor authentication
- Corporate applications
• Mobile device synchronization
- Account setup
M Microsoft 365
M Google Workspace
M iCloud
- Data to synchronize
M Mail
M Photos
M Calendar
M Contacts
M Recognizing data caps
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)
- 22 – Secure Shell (SSH)
- 23 – Telnet
- 25 – Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
- 53 – Domain Name System (DNS)
- 67/68 – Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
- 80 – Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
- 110 – Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3)
- 137/139 – Network Basic Input/ Output System (NetBIOS)/ NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT)
- 143 – Internet Mail Access Protocol (IMAP)
- 161/162 – Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
- 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
- Connectionless
M DHCP
M Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP)
- Connection-oriented
M HTTPS
M SSH
Compare and contrast common networking hardware.
• Routers
• Switches
- Managed
- Unmanaged
• Access points
• Patch panel
• Firewall
• Power over Ethernet (PoE)
- Injectors
- Switch
- PoE standards
• Hub
• Cable modem
• Digital subscriber line (DSL)
• Optical network terminal (ONT)
• Network interface card (NIC)
• Software-defined networking (SDN)
Compare and contrast protocols for wireless networking.
• Frequencies
- 2.4GHz
- 5GHz
• Channels
- Regulations
- 2.4GHz vs. 5GHz
• Bluetooth
• 802.11
- a
- b
- g
- n
- ac (WiFi 5)
- ax (WiFi 6)
• Long-range fixed wireless
- Licensed
- Unlicensed
- Power
- Regulatory requirements for wireless power
• NFC
• Radio-frequency identification (RFID)
Summarize services provided by networked hosts.
• Server roles
- DNS
- DHCP
- Fileshare
- Print servers
- Mail servers
- Syslog
- Web servers
- Authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA)
• 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
Given a scenario, install and configure basic wired/wireless small office/home office (SOHO) networks.
• Internet Protocol (IP) addressing
- IPv4
M Private addresses
M Public addresses
- IPv6
- Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA)
- Static
- Dynamic
- Gateway
Compare and contrast common network configuration concepts.
• DNS
- Address
M A
M AAAA
- Mail exchanger (MX)
- Text (TXT)
M Spam management
(i) DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM)
(ii) Sender Policy Framework (SPF)
(iii) Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC)
• DHCP
- Leases
- Reservations
- Scope
• Virtual LAN (VLAN)
• Virtual private network (VPN)
Compare and contrast Internet connection types, network types, and their features.
• Internet connection types
- Satellite
- Fiber
- Cable
- DSL
- Cellular
- Wireless Internet service provider (WISP)
• Network types
- Local area network (LAN)
- Wide area network (WAN)
- Personal area network (PAN)
- Metropolitan area network (MAN)
- Storage area network (SAN)
- Wireless local area network (WLAN)
Given a scenario, use networking tools.
• Crimper
• Cable stripper
• WiFi analyzer
• Toner probe
• Punchdown tool
• Cable tester
• Loopback plug
• Network tap
Explain basic cable types and their connectors, features, and purposes.
• Network cables
- Copper M Cat 5 M Cat 5e M Cat 6 M Cat 6a
M Coaxial
M Shielded twisted pair
(i) Direct burial
M Unshielded twisted pair
- Plenum
- Optical
M Fiber
- T568A/T568B
• 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)
• Hard drive cables
- Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA)
- Small Computer System Interface (SCSI)
- External SATA (eSATA)
- Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE)
• Adapters
• Connector types
- RJ11
- RJ45
- F type
- Straight tip (ST)
- Subscriber connector (SC)
- Lucent connector (LC)
- Punchdown block
- microUSB
- miniUSB
- USB-C
- Molex
- Lightning port
- DB9
Given a scenario, install the appropriate RAM.
• RAM types
- Virtual RAM
- Small outline dual inline memory module (SODIMM)
- Double Data Rate 3 (DDR3)
- Double Data Rate 4 (DDR4)
- Double Data Rate 5 (DDR5)
- Error correction code (ECC) RAM
• Single-channel
• Dual-channel
• Triple-channel
• Quad-channel
Given a scenario, select and install storage devices.
• Hard drives
- Speeds
M 5,400rpm M 7,200rpm M 10,000rpm M 15,000rpm
- Form factor
M 2.5
M 3.5
• SSDs
- Communications interfaces
M Non-volatile Memory Express (NVMe)
M SATA
M Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe)
- Form factors
M M.2
M mSATA
• Drive configurations
- Redundant Array of Independent (or Inexpensive) Disks (RAID) 0, 1, 5, 10
• Removable storage
- Flash drives
- Memory cards
- Optical drives
Given a scenario, install and configure motherboards, central processing units (CPUs), and add-on cards.
• Motherboard form factor
- Advanced Technology eXtended (ATX)
- Information Technology eXtended (ITX)
• Motherboard connector types
- Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)
- PCI Express (PCIe)
- Power connectors
- SATA
- eSATA
- Headers
- M.2
• Motherboard compatibility
- CPU sockets
M Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD)
M Intel
- Server
- Multisocket
- Desktop
- Mobile
• Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)/Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) settings
- Boot options
- USB permissions
- Trusted Platform Module (TPM) security features
- Fan considerations
- Secure Boot
- Boot password
• Encryption
- TPM
- Hardware security module (HSM)
• CPU architecture
- x64/x86
- Advanced RISC Machine (ARM)
- Single-core
- Multicore
- Multithreading
- Virtualization support
• Expansion cards
- Sound card
- Video card
- Capture card
- NIC
• Cooling
- Fans
- Heat sink
- Thermal paste/pads
- Liquid
Given a scenario, install or replace the appropriate power supply.
• Input 110-120 VAC vs. 220-240 VAC
• Output 3.3V vs. 5V vs. 12V
• 20-pin to 24-pin motherboard adapter
• Redundant power supply
• Modular power supply
• Wattage rating
Given a scenario, deploy and configure multifunction devices/ printers and settings.
• Properly unboxing a device – setup location considerations
• Use appropriate drivers for a given OS
- Printer Control Language (PCL) vs. PostScript
• 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
Given a scenario, install and replace printer consumables.
• Laser
- Imaging drum, fuser assembly, transfer belt, transfer roller, pickup rollers, separation pads, duplexing assembly
- Imaging process: processing, charging, exposing, developing, transferring, fusing, and cleaning
- Maintenance: Replace toner, apply maintenance kit, calibrate, clean
• Inkjet
- Ink cartridge, print head, roller, feeder, duplexing assembly, carriage belt
- Calibration
- Maintenance: Clean heads, replace cartridges, calibrate, clear jams
• Thermal
- Feed assembly, heating element
- Special thermal paper
- Maintenance: Replace paper, clean heating element, remove debris
- Heat sensitivity of paper
• Impact
- Print head, ribbon, tractor feed
- Impact paper
- Maintenance: Replace ribbon, replace print head, replace paper
• 3-D printer
- Filament
- Resin
- Print bed
4.0 Virtualization and Cloud Computing
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
- Metered utilization
- Rapid elasticity
- High availability
- File synchronization
• Desktop virtualization
- Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) on premises
- VDI in the cloud
Summarize aspects of client-side virtualization.
• Purpose of virtual machines
- Sandbox
- Test development
- Application virtualization
M Legacy software/OS
M Cross-platform virtualization
• Resource requirements
• Security requirements
5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting
Given a scenario, apply the best practice methodology to resolve problems.
• Always consider corporate policies, procedures, and impacts before implementing changes
1. Identify the problem
- Gather information from the user, identify user changes, and, if applicable, perform backups before making changes
- Inquire regarding environmental or infrastructure changes
2. Establish a theory of probable cause (question the obvious)
- If necessary, conduct external or internal research based on symptoms
3. Test the theory to determine the cause
- Once the theory is confirmed, determine the next steps to resolve the problem
- If the theory is not confirmed, re-establish a new theory or escalate
4. Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and implement the solution
- Refer to the vendor’s instructions for guidance
5. Verify full system functionality and, if applicable, implement preventive measures
6. Document the findings, actions, and outcomes
Given a scenario, troubleshoot problems related to motherboards, RAM, CPU, and power.
• Common symptoms
- Power-on self-test (POST) beeps
- Proprietary crash screens (blue screen of death [BSOD]/ pinwheel)
- Black screen
- No power
- Sluggish performance
- Overheating
- Burning smell
- Intermittent shutdown
- Application crashes
- Grinding noise
- Capacitor swelling
- Inaccurate system date/time
Given a scenario, troubleshoot and diagnose problems with storage drives and RAID arrays.
• Common symptoms
- Light-emitting diode (LED) status indicators
- Grinding noises
- Clicking sounds
- Bootable device not found
- Data loss/corruption
- RAID failure
- Self-monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology
(S.M.A.R.T.) failure
- Extended read/write times
- Input/output operations per second (IOPS)
- Missing drives in OS
Given a scenario, troubleshoot video, projector, and display issues.
• Common symptoms
- Incorrect data source
- Physical cabling issues
- Burned-out bulb
- Fuzzy image
- Display burn-in
- Dead pixels
- Flashing screen
- Incorrect color display
- Audio issues
- Dim image
- Intermittent projector shutdown
Given a scenario, troubleshoot common issues with mobile devices.
• 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
Given a scenario, troubleshoot and resolve printer issues.
• Common symptoms
- Lines down the printed pages
- Garbled print
- Toner not fusing to paper
- Paper jams
- Faded print
- Incorrect paper size
- Paper not feeding
- Multipage misfeed
- Multiple prints pending in queue
- Speckling on printed pages
- Double/echo images on the print
- Incorrect color settings
- Grinding noise
- Finishing issues
M Staple jams
M Hole punch
- Incorrect page orientation
Given a scenario, troubleshoot problems with wired and wireless networks.
• Common symptoms
- Intermittent wireless connectivity
- Slow network speeds
- Limited connectivity
- Jitter
- Poor Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) quality
- Port flapping
- High latency
- External interference
CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) Acronym List
The following is a list of acronyms that appear on the CompTIA A+
Core 1 (220-1101) exam. Candidates are encouraged to review the complete list and attain a working knowledge of all listed acronyms as part of a comprehensive exam preparation program.
Acronym Definition
AAA Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting
AC Alternating Current
ACL Access Control List
ADF Automatic Document Feeder AES Advanced Encryption Standard AP Access Point
APFS Apple File System
APIPA Automatic Private Internet Protocol Addressing
APK Android Package
ARM Advanced RISC [Reduced Instruction Set Computer] Machine
ARP Address Resolution Protocol
ATA Advanced Technology Attachment ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode
ATX Advanced Technology Extended AUP Acceptable Use Policy
BIOS Basic Input/Output System BSOD Blue Screen of Death BYOD Bring Your Own Device CAD Computer-aided Design
CAPTCHA Completely Automated Public Turing Test to Tell Computers and Humans Apart
CD Compact Disc
CDFS Compact Disc File System CDMA Code-Division Multiple Access
CERT Computer Emergency Response Team CIFS Common Internet File System
CMD Command Prompt
CMOS Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor
CPU Central Processing Unit
CRL Certificate Revocation List
DC Direct Current
DDoS Distributed Denial of Service DDR Double Data Rate
DHCP Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
Acronym Definition
DIMM Dual Inline Memory Module DKIM DomainKeys Identified Mail DMA Direct Memory Access
DMARC Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance
DNS Domain Name System
DoS Denial of Service
DRAM Dynamic Random-Access Memory DRM Digital Rights Management
DSL Digital Subscriber Line
DVI Digital Visual Interface
DVI-D Digital Visual Interface-Digital ECC Error Correcting Code
EFS Encrypting File System
EMI Electromagnetic Interference
EOL End-of-Life
eSATA External Serial Advanced Technology Attachment
ESD Electrostatic Discharge EULA End-User License Agreement
exFAT Extensible File Allocation Table ext Extended File System
FAT File Allocation Table FAT12 12-bit File Allocation Table FAT16 16-bit File Allocation Table
FAT32 32-bit File Allocation Table FSB Front-Side Bus
FTP File Transfer Protocol
GFS Grandfather-Father-Son
GPS Global Positioning System
GPT GUID [Globally Unique Identifier] Partition Table
GPU Graphics Processing Unit
GSM Global System for Mobile Communications GUI Graphical User Interface
GUID Globally Unique Identifier HAL Hardware Abstraction Layer
HAV Hardware-assisted Virtualization
Acronym Definition Acronym Definition
HCL Hardware Compatibility List MX Mail Exchange
HDCP High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection NAC Network Access Control
HDD Hard Disk Drive NAT Network Address Translation
HDMI High-Definition Multimedia Interface NDA Non-disclosure Agreement
HSM Hardware Security Module NetBIOS Networked Basic Input/Output System
HTML Hypertext Markup Language NetBT NetBIOS over TCP/IP [Transmission Control
HTTP Hypertext Transfer Protocol Protocol/Internet Protocol]
HTTPS Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure NFC Near-field Communication
I/O Input/Output NFS Network File System
IaaS Infrastructure as a Service NIC Network Interface Card
ICR Intelligent Character Recognition NTFS New Technology File System
IDE Integrated Drive Electronics NVMe Non-volatile Memory Express
IDS Intrusion Detection System OCR Optical Character Recognition
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics OLED Organic Light-emitting Diode
Engineers ONT Optical Network Terminal
IMAP Internet Mail Access Protocol OS Operating System
IOPS Input/Output Operations Per Second PaaS Platform as a Service
IoT Internet of Things PAN Personal Area Network
IP Internet Protocol PC Personal Computer
IPS Intrusion Prevention System PCIe Peripheral Component Interconnect Express
IPS In-plane Switching PCL Printer Command Language
IPSec Internet Protocol Security PE Preinstallation Environment
IR Infrared PII Personally Identifiable Information
IrDA Infrared Data Association PIN Personal Identification Number
IRP Incident Response Plan PKI Public Key Infrastructure
ISO International Organization for PoE Power over Ethernet
Standardization POP3 Post Office Protocol 3
ISP Internet Service Provider POST Power-on Self-Test
ITX Information Technology eXtended PPP Point-to-Point Protocol
KB Knowledge Base PRL Preferred Roaming List
KVM Keyboard-Video-Mouse PSU Power Supply Unit
LAN Local Area Network PXE Preboot Execution Environment
LC Lucent Connector RADIUS Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service
LCD Liquid Crystal Display RAID Redundant Array of Independent (or
LDAP Lightweight Directory Access Protocol Inexpensive) Disks
LED Light-emitting Diode RAM Random-access Memory
MAC Media Access Control/Mandatory Access RDP Remote Desktop Protocol
Control RF Radio Frequency
MAM Mobile Application Management RFI Radio-Frequency Interference
MAN Metropolitan Area Network RFID Radio-Frequency Identification
MBR Master Boot Record RJ11 Registered Jack Function 11
MDM Mobile Device Management RJ45 Registered Jack Function 45
MFA Multifactor Authentication RMM Remote Monitoring and Management
MFD Multifunction Device RTO Recovery Time Objective
MFP Multifunction Printer SaaS Software as a Service
MMC Microsoft Management Console SAN Storage Area Network
MOU Memorandum of Understanding SAS Serial Attached SCSI [Small Computer
MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet System Interface]
MSRA Microsoft Remote Assistance SATA Serial Advanced Technology Attachment
Acronym Definition Acronym Definition
SC Subscriber Connector TLS Transport Layer Security
SCADA Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition TN Twisted Nematic
SCP Secure Copy Protection TPM Trusted Platform Module
SCSI Small Computer System Interface UAC User Account Control
SDN Software-defined Networking UDP User Datagram Protocol
SFTP Secure File Transfer Protocol UEFI Unified Extensible Firmware Interface
SIM Subscriber Identity Module UNC Universal Naming Convention
SIMM Single Inline Memory Module UPnP Universal Plug and Play
S.M.A.R.T. Self-monitoring Analysis and Reporting UPS Uninterruptible Power Supply
Technology USB Universal Serial Bus
SMB Server Message Block UTM Unified Threat Management
SMS Short Message Service UTP Unshielded Twisted Pair
SMTP Simple Mail Transfer Protocol VA Vertical Alignment
SNMP Simple Network Management Protocol VDI Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
SNTP Simple Network Time Protocol VGA Video Graphics Array
SODIMM Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module VLAN Virtual LAN [Local Area Network]
SOHO Small Office/Home Office VM Virtual Machine
SPF Sender Policy Framework VNC Virtual Network Computer
SQL Structured Query Language VoIP Voice over Internet Protocol
SRAM Static Random-access Memory VPN Virtual Private Network
SSD Solid-State Drive VRAM Video Random-access Memory
SSH Secure Shell WAN Wide Area Network
SSID Service Set Identifier WEP Wired Equivalent Privacy
SSL Secure Sockets Layer WISP Wireless Internet Service Provider
SSO Single Sign-on WLAN Wireless LAN [Local Area Network]
ST Straight Tip WMN Wireless Mesh Network
STP Shielded Twisted Pair WPA WiFi Protected Access
TACACS Terminal Access Controller Access-Control WWAN Wireless Wide Area Network
System XSS Cross-site Scripting
TCP Transmission Control Protocol
TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol
TFTP Trivial File Transfer Protocol
TKIP Temporal Key Integrity Protocol
CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101)
Proposed Hardware and Software List
**CompTIA has included this sample list of hardware and software to assist candidates as they prepare for the A+ Core 1 (220-1101) exam. This list may also be helpful for training companies that wish to create a lab component to their training offering. The bulleted lists below each topic are sample lists and are not exhaustive.
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 Management
• Monitors
• Projectors
• SOHO router/switch
• Access point
• VoIP phone
• Printer
- Laser/inkjet
- Wireless
- 3-D printer
- Thermal
• Surge suppressor
• Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
• Smart devices (IoT devices)
• Server with a hypervisor
• Punchdown block
• Patch panel
• Webcams
• Speakers
• Microphones
Spare parts/hardware
• Motherboards
• RAM
• Hard drives
• Power supplies
• Video cards
• Sound cards
• Network cards
• Wireless NICs
• Fans/cooling devices/heat sink
• CPUs
• Assorted connectors/cables
- USB
- HDMI
- DisplayPort
- DVI
- VGA
• Adapters
- Bluetooth adapter
• Network cables
• Unterminated network cable/ connectors
• Alternating current (AC) adapters
• Optical drives
• Screws/standoffs
• Cases
• Maintenance kit
• Mice/keyboards
• Keyboard-video-mouse (KVM)
• Console cable
• SSD
Tools
• Screwdriver
• Multimeter
• Wire cutters
• Punchdown tool
• Crimper
• Power supply tester
• Cable stripper
• Standard technician toolkit
• Electrostatic discharge (ESD) strap
• Thermal paste
• Cable tester
• Cable toner
• WiFi analyzer
• SATA to USB connectors
Software
• Operating systems
- Linux
- Chrome OS
- Microsoft Windows
- macOS
- Android
- iOS
• Preinstallation environment (PE) disk/live compact disc (CD)
• Antivirus software
• Virtualization software
• Anti-malware
• Driver software
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CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Core 2 Objectives
EXAM NUMBER: CORE 1 (220-1102)
About the Exam
Candidates are encouraged to use this document to help prepare for the CompTIA A+ 220-1102 certification exam. In order to receive the CompTIA A+ certification, you must pass two exams: Core 1 (220-1101) and Core 2 (220-1102). The CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) and Core 2 (220-1102) certification exams will verify the successful candidate has the knowledge and skills required to:
• Install, configure, and maintain computer equipment, mobile devices, and software for end users
• Service components based on customer requirements
• Understand networking basics and apply basic cybersecurity methods to mitigate threats
• Properly and safely diagnose, resolve, and document common hardware and software issues
• Apply troubleshooting skills and provide customer support using appropriate communication skills
• Understand the basics of scripting, cloud technologies, virtualization, and multi-OS deployments in corporate environments
This is equivalent to 12 months of hands-on experience working in a help desk support, desktop support technician, or field service technician job role. These content examples are meant to clarify the test objectives and should not be construed as a comprehensive listing of all the content of this examination.
EXAM ACCREDITATION
The CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102) exam is accredited by ANSI to show compliance with the ISO 17024 standard and, as such, undergoes regular reviews and updates to the exam objectives.
EXAM DEVELOPMENT
CompTIA exams result from subject-matter expert workshops and industry-wide survey results regarding the skills and knowledge required of an entry-level IT professional.
CompTIA AUTHORIZED MATERIALS USE POLICY
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PLEASE NOTE
The lists of examples provided in bulleted format are not exhaustive lists. Other examples of technologies, processes, or tasks pertaining to each objective may also be included on the exam, although not listed or covered in this objectives document. CompTIA is constantly reviewing the content of our exams and updating test questions to be sure our exams are current, and the security of the questions is protected. When necessary, we will publish updated exams based on existing exam objectives. Please know that all related exam preparation materials will still be valid.
TEST DETAILS
Required exam A+ Core 2 (220-1102)
Number of questions Maximum of 90
Types of questions Multiple-choice and performance-based Length of test 90 minutes
Recommended experience 12 months of hands-on experience in a help
desk support technician, desktop support technician, or field service technician job role
Passing score 700 (on a scale of 100-900)
EXAM OBJECTIVES (DOMAINS)
The table below lists the domains measured by this examination and the extent to which they are represented.
1.0 Operating Systems 31%
2.0 Security 25%
3.0 Software Troubleshooting 22%
4.0 Operational Procedures 22%
Total 100%
NOTE ON WINDOWS 11
Versions of Microsoft® Windows® that are not end of Mainstream Support (as determined by Microsoft), up to and including Windows 11, are intended content areas of the certification. As such, objectives in which a specific version of Microsoft Windows is not indicated in the main objective title can include content related to Windows 10 and Windows 11, as it relates to the job role.
1.0 Operating Systems
Identify basic features of Microsoft Windows editions.
• Windows 10 editions
- Home
- Pro
- Pro for Workstations
- Enterprise
• Feature differences
- Domain access vs. workgroup
- Desktop styles/user interface
- Availability of Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)
- Random-access memory (RAM) support limitations
- BitLocker
- gpedit.msc
• Upgrade paths
- In-place upgrade
Given a scenario, use the appropriate Microsoft command-line tool.
• Navigation
- cd
- dir
- md
- rmdir
- Drive navigation inputs:
M C: or D: or x:
• Command-line tools
- ipconfig
- ping
- hostname
- netstat
- nslookup
- chkdsk
- net user
- net use
- tracert
- format
- xcopy
- copy
- robocopy
- gpupdate
- gpresult
- shutdown
- sfc
- [command name] /?
- diskpart
- pathping
- winver
Given a scenario, use features and tools of the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system (OS).
• Task Manager
- Services
- Startup
- Performance
- Processes
- Users
• Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in
- Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc)
- Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc)
- Task Scheduler (taskschd.msc)
- Device Manager (devmgmt.msc)
- Certificate Manager (certmgr.msc)
- Local Users and Groups (lusrmgr.msc)
- Performance Monitor (perfmon.msc)
- Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)
• Additional tools
- System Information (msinfo32. exe)
- Resource Monitor (resmon.exe)
- System Configuration (msconfig. exe)
- Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr.exe)
- Disk Defragment (dfrgui.exe)
- Registry Editor (regedit.exe)
Given a scenario, use the appropriate Microsoft Windows 10 Control Panel utility.
• Internet Options
• Devices and Printers
• Programs and Features
• Network and Sharing Center
• System
• Windows Defender Firewall
• Mail
• Sound
• User Accounts
• Device Manager
• Indexing Options
• Administrative Tools
• File Explorer Options
- Show hidden files
- Hide extensions
- General options
- View options
• Power Options
- Hibernate
- Power plans
- Sleep/suspend
- Standby
- Choose what closing the lid does
- Turn on fast startup
- Universal Serial Bus (USB) selective suspend
• Ease of Access
Given a scenario, use the appropriate Windows settings.
• Time and Language
• Update and Security
• Personalization
• Apps
• Privacy
• System
• Devices
• Network and Internet
• Gaming
• Accounts
Given a scenario, configure Microsoft Windows networking features on a client/desktop.
• Workgroup vs. domain setup
- Shared resources
- Printers
- File servers
- Mapped drives
• Local OS firewall settings
- Application restrictions and exceptions
- Configuration
• Client network configuration
- Internet Protocol (IP) addressing scheme
- Domain Name System (DNS) settings
- Subnet mask
- Gateway
- Static vs. dynamic
• Establish network connections
- Virtual private network (VPN)
- Wireless
- Wired
- Wireless wide area network (WWAN)
• Proxy settings
• Public network vs. private network
• File Explorer navigation – network paths
• Metered connections and limitations
Given a scenario, apply application installation and configuration concepts.
• System requirements for applications
- 32-bit vs. 64-bit dependent application requirements
- Dedicated graphics card vs. integrated
- Video random-access memory (VRAM) requirements
- RAM requirements
- Central processing unit (CPU) requirements
- External hardware tokens
- Storage requirements
• OS requirements for applications
- Application to OS compatibility
- 32-bit vs. 64-bit OS
• Distribution methods
- Physical media vs. downloadable
- ISO mountable
• Other considerations for new applications
- Impact to device
- Impact to network
- Impact to operation
- Impact to business
Explain common OS types and their purposes.
• Workstation OSs
- Windows
- Linux
- macOS
- Chrome OS
• Cell phone/tablet OSs
- iPadOS
- iOS
- Android
• Various filesystem types
- New Technology File System (NTFS)
- File Allocation Table 32 (FAT32)
- Third extended filesystem (ext3)
- Fourth extended filesystem (ext4)
- Apple File System (APFS)
- Extensible File Allocation Table (exFAT)
• Vendor life-cycle limitations
- End-of-life (EOL)
- Update limitations
• Compatibility concerns between OSs
Given a scenario, perform OS installations and upgrades in a diverse OS environment.
• Boot methods
- USB
- Optical media
- Network
- Solid-state/flash drives
- Internet-based
- External/hot-swappable drive
- Internal hard drive (partition)
• Types of installations
- Upgrade
- Recovery partition
- Clean install
- Image deployment
- Repair installation
- Remote network installation
- Other considerations
M Third-party drivers
• Partitioning
- GUID [globally unique identifier] Partition Table (GPT)
- Master boot record (MBR)
• Drive format
• Upgrade considerations
- Backup files and user preferences
- Application and driver support/ backward compatibility
- Hardware compatibility
• Feature updates
- Product life cycle
Identify common features and tools of the macOS/desktop OS.
• Installation and uninstallation of applications
- File types
M .dmg M .pkg M .app
- App Store
- Uninstallation process
• Apple ID and corporate restrictions
• Best practices
- Backups
- Antivirus
- Updates/patches
• System Preferences
- Displays
- Networks
- Printers
- Scanners
- Privacy
- Accessibility
- Time Machine
• Features
- Multiple desktops
- Mission Control
- Keychain
- Spotlight
- iCloud
- Gestures
- Finder
- Remote Disc
- Dock
• Disk Utility
• FileVault
• Terminal
• Force Quit
Identify common features and tools of the Linux client/desktop OS.
• Common commands - ip • Best practices
- ls - df - Backups
- pwd - grep - Antivirus
- mv - ps - Updates/patches
- cp - man • Tools
- rm - top - Shell/terminal
- chmod - find - Samba
- chown - dig
- su/sudo - cat
- apt-get - nano
- yum
Summarize various security measures and their purposes.
• Physical security
- Access control vestibule
- Badge reader
- Video surveillance
- Alarm systems
- Motion sensors
- Door locks
- Equipment locks
- Guards
- Bollards
- Fences
• Physical security for staff
- Key fobs
- Smart cards
- Keys
- Biometrics
M Retina scanner
M Fingerprint scanner
M Palmprint scanner
- Lighting
- Magnetometers
• Logical security
- Principle of least privilege
- Access control lists (ACLs)
- Multifactor authentication (MFA)
- Email
- Hard token
- Soft token
- Short message service (SMS)
- Voice call
- Authenticator application
• Mobile device management (MDM)
• Active Directory
- Login script
- Domain
- Group Policy/updates
- Organizational units
- Home folder
- Folder redirection
- Security groups
Compare and contrast wireless security protocols and authentication methods.
• Protocols and encryption
- WiFi Protected Access 2 (WPA2)
- WPA3
- Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP)
- Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)
• Authentication
- Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS)
- Terminal Access Controller Access-Control System (TACACS+)
- Kerberos
- Multifactor
Given a scenario, detect, remove, and prevent malware using the appropriate tools and methods.
• Malware
- Trojan
- Rootkit
- Virus
- Spyware
- Ransomware
- Keylogger
- Boot sector virus
- Cryptominers
• Tools and methods
- Recovery mode
- Antivirus
- Anti-malware
- Software firewalls
- Anti-phishing training
- User education regarding common threats
- OS reinstallation
Explain common social-engineering attacks, threats, and vulnerabilities.
• Social engineering
- Phishing
- Vishing
- Shoulder surfing
- Whaling
- Tailgating
- Impersonation
- Dumpster diving
- Evil twin
• Threats
- Distributed denial of service (DDoS)
- Denial of service (DoS)
- Zero-day attack
- Spoofing
- On-path attack
- Brute-force attack
- Dictionary attack
- Insider threat
- Structured Query Language (SQL) injection
- Cross-site scripting (XSS)
• Vulnerabilities
- Non-compliant systems
- Unpatched systems
- Unprotected systems (missing antivirus/missing firewall)
- EOL OSs
- Bring your own device (BYOD)
Given a scenario, manage and configure basic security settings in the Microsoft Windows OS.
• Defender Antivirus
- Activate/deactivate
- Updated definitions
• Firewall
- Activate/deactivate
- Port security
- Application security
• Users and groups
- Local vs. Microsoft account
- Standard account
- Administrator
- Guest user
- Power user
• Login OS options
- Username and password
- Personal identification number (PIN)
- Fingerprint
- Facial recognition
- Single sign-on (SSO)
• NTFS vs. share permissions
- File and folder attributes
- Inheritance
• Run as administrator vs. standard user
- User Account Control (UAC)
• BitLocker
• BitLocker To Go
• Encrypting File System (EFS)
Given a scenario, configure a workstation to meet best practices for security.
• Data-at-rest encryption
• Password best practices
- Complexity requirements
M Length
M Character types
- Expiration requirements
- Basic input/output system (BIOS)/ Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) passwords
• End-user best practices
- Use screensaver locks
- Log off when not in use
- Secure/protect critical hardware (e.g., laptops)
- Secure personally identifiable information (PII) and passwords
• Account management
- Restrict user permissions
- Restrict login times
- Disable guest account
- Use failed attempts lockout
- Use timeout/screen lock
• Change default administrator’s user account/password
• Disable AutoRun
• Disable AutoPlay
Explain common methods for securing mobile and embedded devices.
• Screen locks
- Facial recognition
- PIN codes
- Fingerprint
- Pattern
- Swipe
• Remote wipes
• Locator applications
• OS updates
• Device encryption
• Remote backup applications
• Failed login attempts restrictions
• Antivirus/anti-malware
• Firewalls
• Policies and procedures
- BYOD vs. corporate owned
- Profile security requirements
• Internet of Things (IoT)
Given a scenario, use common data destruction and disposal methods.
• Physical destruction
- Drilling
- Shredding
- Degaussing
- Incinerating
• Recycling or repurposing best practices
- Erasing/wiping
- Low-level formatting
- Standard formatting
• Outsourcing concepts
- Third-party vendor
- Certification of destruction/ recycling
Given a scenario, configure appropriate security settings on small office/home office (SOHO) wireless and wired networks.
• Home router settings
- Change default passwords
- IP filtering
- Firmware updates
- Content filtering
- Physical placement/secure locations
- Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) reservations
- Static wide-area network (WAN) IP
- Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)
- Screened subnet
• Wireless specific
- Changing the service set identifier (SSID)
- Disabling SSID broadcast
- Encryption settings
- Disabling guest access
- Changing channels
• Firewall settings
- Disabling unused ports
- Port forwarding/mapping
Given a scenario, install and configure browsers and relevant security settings.
• Browser download/installation
- Trusted sources
M Hashing
- Untrusted sources
• Extensions and plug-ins
- Trusted sources
- Untrusted sources
• Password managers
• Secure connections/sites – valid certificates
• Settings
- Pop-up blocker
- Clearing browsing data
- Clearing cache
- Private-browsing mode
- Sign-in/browser data synchronization
- Ad blockers
3.0 Software Troubleshooting
Given a scenario, troubleshoot common Windows OS problems.
• Common symptoms
- Blue screen of death (BSOD)
- Sluggish performance
- Boot problems
- Frequent shutdowns
- Services not starting
- Applications crashing
- Low memory warnings
- USB controller resource warnings
- System instability
- No OS found
- Slow profile load
- Time drift
• Common troubleshooting steps
- Reboot
- Restart services
- Uninstall/reinstall/update applications
- Add resources
- Verify requirements
- System file check
- Repair Windows
- Restore
- Reimage
- Roll back updates
- Rebuild Windows profiles
Given a scenario, troubleshoot common personal computer (PC) security issues.
• Common symptoms
- Unable to access the network
- Desktop alerts
- False alerts regarding antivirus protection
- Altered system or personal files
M Missing/renamed files
- Unwanted notifications within the OS
- OS update failures
• Browser-related symptoms
- Random/frequent pop-ups
- Certificate warnings
- Redirection
3.0 | Software Troubleshooting
Given a scenario, use best practice procedures for malware removal.
1. Investigate and verify malware symptoms
2. Quarantine infected systems
3. Disable System Restore in Windows
4. Remediate infected systems
a. Update anti-malware software
b. Scanning and removal techniques (e.g., safe mode, preinstallation environment)
5. Schedule scans and run updates
6. Enable System Restore and create a restore point in Windows
7. Educate the end user
Given a scenario, troubleshoot common mobile OS and application issues.
• Common symptoms
- Application fails to launch
- Application fails to close/crashes
- Application fails to update
- Slow to respond
- OS fails to update
- Battery life issues
- Randomly reboots
- Connectivity issues
M Bluetooth
M WiFi
M Near-field communication (NFC)
M AirDrop
- Screen does not autorotate
Given a scenario, troubleshoot common mobile OS and application security issues.
• Security concerns
- Android package (APK) source
- Developer mode
- Root access/jailbreak
- Bootleg/malicious application
M Application spoofing
• Common symptoms
- High network traffic
- Sluggish response time
- Data-usage limit notification
- Limited Internet connectivity
- No Internet connectivity
- High number of ads
- Fake security warnings
- Unexpected application behavior
- Leaked personal files/data
4.0 Operational Procedures
Given a scenario, implement best practices associated with documentation and support systems information management.
• Ticketing systems
- User information
- Device information
- Description of problems
- Categories
- Severity
- Escalation levels
- Clear, concise written communication
M Problem description
M Progress notes
M Problem resolution
• Asset management
- Inventory lists
- Database system
- Asset tags and IDs
- Procurement life cycle
- Warranty and licensing
- Assigned users
• Types of documents
- Acceptable use policy (AUP)
- Network topology diagram
- Regulatory compliance requirements
M Splash screens
- Incident reports
- Standard operating procedures
M Procedures for custom installation of software package
- New-user setup checklist
- End-user termination checklist
• Knowledge base/articles
Explain basic change-management best practices.
• Documented business processes
- Rollback plan
- Sandbox testing
- Responsible staff member
• Change management
- Request forms
- Purpose of the change
- Scope of the change
- Date and time of the change
- Affected systems/impact
- Risk analysis
M Risk level
- Change board approvals
- End-user acceptance
Given a scenario, implement workstation backup and recovery methods.
• Backup and recovery
- Full
- Incremental
- Differential
- Synthetic
• Backup testing
- Frequency
• Backup rotation schemes
- On site vs. off site
- Grandfather-father-son (GFS)
- 3-2-1 backup rule
Given a scenario, use common safety procedures.
• Electrostatic discharge (ESD) straps
• ESD mats
• Equipment grounding
• Proper power handling
• Proper component handling and storage
• Antistatic bags
• Compliance with government regulations
• Personal safety
- Disconnect power before repairing PC
- Lifting techniques
- Electrical fire safety
- Safety goggles
- Air filtration mask
Summarize environmental impacts and local environmental controls.
• Material safety data sheet (MSDS)/documentation for handling and disposal
- Proper battery disposal
- Proper toner disposal
- Proper disposal of other devices and assets
• Temperature, humidity-level awareness, and proper ventilation
- Location/equipment placement
- Dust cleanup
- Compressed air/vacuums
• Power surges, under-voltage events, and power failures
- Battery backup
- Surge suppressor
Explain the importance of prohibited content/activity and privacy, licensing, and policy concepts.
• Incident response
- Chain of custody
- Inform management/law enforcement as necessary
- Copy of drive (data integrity and preservation)
- Documentation of incident
• Licensing/digital rights management (DRM)/end-user license agreement (EULA)
- Valid licenses
- Non-expired licenses
- Personal use license vs. corporate use license
- Open-source license
• Regulated data
- Credit card transactions
- Personal government-issued information
- PII
- Healthcare data
- Data retention requirements
Given a scenario, use proper communication techniques and professionalism.
• Professional appearance and attire
- Match the required attire of the given environment
M Formal
M Business casual
• Use proper language and avoid jargon, acronyms, and slang, when applicable
• Maintain a positive attitude/ project confidence
• Actively listen, take notes, and avoid interrupting the customer
• Be culturally sensitive
- Use appropriate professional titles, when applicable
• Be on time (if late, contact the customer)
• Avoid distractions
- Personal calls
- Texting/social media sites
- Personal interruptions
• Dealing with difficult customers or situations
- Do not argue with customers or be defensive
- Avoid dismissing customer problems
- Avoid being judgmental
- Clarify customer statements (ask open-ended questions to narrow the scope of the problem, restate the issue, or question to verify understanding)
- Do not disclose experience via social media outlets
• Set and meet expectations/time line and communicate status with the customer
- Offer repair/replacement options, as needed
- Provide proper documentation on the services provided
- Follow up with customer/user at a later date to verify satisfaction
• Deal appropriately with customers’ confidential and private materials
- Located on a computer, desktop, printer, etc.
Identify the basics of scripting.
• Script file types
- .bat
- .ps1
- .vbs
- .sh
- .js
- .py
• Use cases for scripting
- Basic automation
- Restarting machines
- Remapping network drives
- Installation of applications
- Automated backups
- Gathering of information/data
- Initiating updates
• Other considerations when using scripts
- Unintentionally introducing malware
- Inadvertently changing system settings
- Browser or system crashes due to mishandling of resources
Given a scenario, use remote access technologies.
• Methods/tools
- RDP
- VPN
- Virtual network computer (VNC)
- Secure Shell (SSH)
- Remote monitoring and management (RMM)
- Microsoft Remote Assistance (MSRA)
- Third-party tools
M Screen-sharing software
M Video-conferencing software
M File transfer software
M Desktop management software
• Security considerations of each access method
CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102) Acronym List
The following is a list of acronyms that appear on the CompTIA A+
Core 2 (220-1102) exam. Candidates are encouraged to review the complete list and attain a working knowledge of all listed acronyms as part of a comprehensive exam preparation program.
Acronym Definition Acronym Definition
AAA Authentication, Authorization, and DHCP Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
Accounting DIMM Dual Inline Memory Module
AC Alternating Current DKIM DomainKeys Identified Mail
ACL Access Control List DMA Direct Memory Access
ADF Automatic Document Feeder DMARC Domain-based Message Authentication,
AES Advanced Encryption Standard Reporting, and Conformance
AP Access Point DNS Domain Name System
APFS Apple File System DoS Denial of Service
APIPA Automatic Private Internet Protocol DRAM Dynamic Random-Access Memory
Addressing DRM Digital Rights Management
APK Android Package DSL Digital Subscriber Line
ARM Advanced RISC [Reduced Instruction Set DVI Digital Visual Interface
Computer] Machine DVI-D Digital Visual Interface-Digital
ARP Address Resolution Protocol ECC Error Correcting Code
ATA Advanced Technology Attachment EFS Encrypting File System
ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode EMI Electromagnetic Interference
ATX Advanced Technology Extended EOL End-of-Life
AUP Acceptable Use Policy eSATA External Serial Advanced Technology
BIOS Basic Input/Output System Attachment
BSOD Blue Screen of Death ESD Electrostatic Discharge
BYOD Bring Your Own Device EULA End-User License Agreement
CAPTCHA Completely Automated Public Turing Test exFAT Extensible File Allocation Table
to Tell Computers and Humans Apart ext Extended File System
CD Compact Disc FAT File Allocation Table
CDFS Compact Disc File System FAT12 12-bit File Allocation Table
CDMA Code-Division Multiple Access FAT16 16-bit File Allocation Table
CERT Computer Emergency Response Team FAT32 32-bit File Allocation Table
CIFS Common Internet File System FSB Front-Side Bus
CMD Command Prompt FTP File Transfer Protocol
CMOS Complementary Metal-Oxide GFS Grandfather-Father-Son
Semiconductor GPS Global Positioning System
CPU Central Processing Unit GPT GUID [Globally Unique Identifier] Partition
CRL Certificate Revocation List Table
DC Direct Current GPU Graphics Processing Unit
DDoS Distributed Denial of Service GSM Global System for Mobile Communications
DDR Double Data Rate GUI Graphical User Interface
Acronym Definition Acronym Definition
GUID Globally Unique Identifier MOU Memorandum of Understanding
HAL Hardware Abstraction Layer MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet
HAV Hardware-assisted Virtualization MSRA Microsoft Remote Assistance
HCL Hardware Compatibility List MX Mail Exchange
HDCP High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection NAC Network Access Control
HDD Hard Disk Drive NAT Network Address Translation
HDMI High-Definition Multimedia Interface NDA Non-disclosure Agreement
HSM Hardware Security Module NetBIOS Networked Basic Input/Output System
HTML Hypertext Markup Language NetBT NetBIOS over TCP/IP [Transmission Control
HTTP Hypertext Transfer Protocol Protocol/Internet Protocol]
HTTPS Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure NFC Near-field Communication
I/O Input/Output NFS Network File System
IaaS Infrastructure as a Service NIC Network Interface Card
ICR Intelligent Character Recognition NTFS New Technology File System
IDE Integrated Drive Electronics NVMe Non-volatile Memory Express
IDS Intrusion Detection System OCR Optical Character Recognition
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics OLED Organic Light-emitting Diode
Engineers ONT Optical Network Terminal
IMAP Internet Mail Access Protocol OS Operating System
IOPS Input/Output Operations Per Second PaaS Platform as a Service
IoT Internet of Things PAN Personal Area Network
IP Internet Protocol PC Personal Computer
IPS Intrusion Prevention System PCIe Peripheral Component Interconnect Express
IPS In-plane Switching PCL Printer Command Language
IPSec Internet Protocol Security PE Preinstallation Environment
IR Infrared PII Personally Identifiable Information
IrDA Infrared Data Association PIN Personal Identification Number
IRP Incident Response Plan PKI Public Key Infrastructure
ISO International Organization for PoE Power over Ethernet
Standardization POP3 Post Office Protocol 3
ISP Internet Service Provider POST Power-on Self-Test
ITX Information Technology eXtended PPP Point-to-Point Protocol
KB Knowledge Base PRL Preferred Roaming List
KVM Keyboard-Video-Mouse PSU Power Supply Unit
LAN Local Area Network PXE Preboot Execution Environment
LC Lucent Connector RADIUS Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service
LCD Liquid Crystal Display RAID Redundant Array of Independent (or
LDAP Lightweight Directory Access Protocol Inexpensive) Disks
LED Light-emitting Diode RAM Random-access Memory
MAC Media Access Control/Mandatory Access RDP Remote Desktop Protocol
Control RF Radio Frequency
MAM Mobile Application Management RFI Radio Frequency Interference
MAN Metropolitan Area Network RFID Radio Frequency Identification
MBR Master Boot Record RJ11 Registered Jack Function 11
MDM Mobile Device Management RJ45 Registered Jack Function 45
MFA Multifactor Authentication RMM Remote Monitoring and Management
MFD Multifunction Device RTO Recovery Time Objective
MFP Multifunction Printer SaaS Software as a Service
MMC Microsoft Management Console SAN Storage Area Network
Acronym Definition Acronym Definition
SAS Serial Attached SCSI [Small Computer TFTP Trivial File Transfer Protocol
System Interface] TKIP Temporal Key Integrity Protocol
SATA Serial Advanced Technology Attachment TLS Transport Layer Security
SC Subscriber Connector TN Twisted Nematic
SCADA Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition TPM Trusted Platform Module
SCP Secure Copy Protection UAC User Account Control
SCSI Small Computer System Interface UDP User Datagram Protocol
SDN Software-defined Networking UEFI Unified Extensible Firmware Interface
SFTP Secure File Transfer Protocol UNC Universal Naming Convention
SIM Subscriber Identity Module UPnP Universal Plug and Play
SIMM Single Inline Memory Module UPS Uninterruptible Power Supply
S.M.A.R.T. Self-monitoring Analysis and Reporting USB Universal Serial Bus
Technology UTM Unified Threat Management
SMB Server Message Block UTP Unshielded Twisted Pair
SMS Short Message Service VA Vertical Alignment
SMTP Simple Mail Transfer Protocol VDI Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
SNMP Simple Network Management Protocol VGA Video Graphics Array
SNTP Simple Network Time Protocol VLAN Virtual LAN [Local Area Network]
SODIMM Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module VM Virtual Machine
SOHO Small Office/Home Office VNC Virtual Network Computer
SPF Sender Policy Framework VoIP Voice over Internet Protocol
SQL Structured Query Language VPN Virtual Private Network
SRAM Static Random-access Memory VRAM Video Random-access Memory
SSD Solid-State Drive WAN Wide Area Network
SSH Secure Shell WEP Wired Equivalent Privacy
SSID Service Set Identifier WISP Wireless Internet Service Provider
SSL Secure Sockets Layer WLAN Wireless LAN [Local Area Network]
SSO Single Sign-on WMN Wireless Mesh Network
ST Straight Tip WPA WiFi Protected Access
STP Shielded Twisted Pair WWAN Wireless Wide Area Network
TACACS Terminal Access Controller Access-Control XSS Cross-site Scripting
System
TCP Transmission Control Protocol
TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol
CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102)
Proposed Hardware and Software List
**CompTIA has included this sample list of hardware and software to assist candidates as they prepare for the A+ Core 2 (220-1102) exam. This list may also be helpful for training companies that wish to create a lab component to their training offering. The bulleted lists below each topic are sample lists and are not exhaustive.
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 Management
• Monitors
• Projectors
• SOHO router/switch
• Access point
• Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone
• Printer
- Laser/inkjet
- Wireless
- 3-D printer
- Thermal
• Surge suppressor
• Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
• Smart devices (Internet of Things [IoT] devices)
• Server with a hypervisor
• Punchdown block
• Patch panel
• Webcams
• Speakers
• Microphones
Spare parts/hardware
• Motherboards
• RAM
• Hard drives
• Power supplies
• Video cards
• Sound cards
• Network cards
• Wireless network interface cards (NICs)
• Fans/cooling devices/heat sink
• CPUs
• Assorted connectors/cables
- USB
- High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
- DisplayPort
- Digital visual interface (DVI)
- Video graphics array (VGA)
• Adapters
- Bluetooth adapter
• Network cables
• Unterminated network cable/ connectors
• Alternating current (AC) adapters
• Optical drives
• Screws/standoffs
• Cases
• Maintenance kit
• Mice/keyboards
• Keyboard-video-mouse (KVM)
• Console cable
• Solid-state drive (SSD)
Tools
• Screwdriver
• Multimeter
• Wire cutters
• Punchdown tool
• Crimper
• Power supply tester
• Cable stripper
• Standard technician toolkit
• Electrostatic discharge (ESD) strap
• Thermal paste
• Cable tester
• Cable toner
• WiFi analyzer
• Serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) to USB connectors
Software
• OSs
- Linux
- Chrome OS
- Microsoft Windows
- macOS
- Android
- iOS
• Preinstallation environment (PE) disk/live compact disc (CD)
• Antivirus software
• Virtualization software
• Anti-malware
• Driver software
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