CompTIA A+ (220-1001 and 220-1002) year 2021 Certification

Explore desktop hardware components, from the case and power supply to the motherboard, CPU, graphics card, RAM, and storage, plus expansion cards, ports, and video outputs.

Explore how modern CPU architecture drives performance through clock speed, multicore designs, and caching, including brands, manufacturing processes, overclocking, and energy considerations.

Explore 32-bit and 64-bit CPU and OS evolution from Windows 2000 to seven, memory limits like four gigs, and virtualization basics with VMware Workstation and hypervisor.

Trace the evolution of optical drives from CD-ROM to Blu-ray, noting read-only and rewritable formats, then compare HDD and SSD storage, NTFS and FAT32 file systems.

Explore hybrid drives with solid-state cache to speed frequently accessed data. Compare raid zero, raid one, raid five, and raid ten for performance and redundancy, including hot swapping in servers.

Explore sd and micro sd cards, compact flash, and other storage media, noting read speeds up to 170 MB/s, write speeds over 100 MB/s, 4k video compatibility, and power supply units.

Explore printers, scanners, and multifunction devices, and learn how monitor resolution and pixel density across LCD, IPS, LED, and OLED technologies affect image quality.

Explore common computer peripherals, including microphones, speakers, headsets, projectors, external storage, NAS/SAN, KVM switches, and NFC smart cards, and learn selection criteria like input/output, power, and connection types.

Explore legacy and modern video cables, including VGA, HDMI, TVI, and DisplayPort, then cover USB, Thunderbolt, and the evolution of USB generations and type C with adapters.

Explore legacy serial and modern cabling, plenum-rated cables, and the plenum space between ceilings, emphasizing fire retardant PVC or FPP to slow fire spread.

Explore common connector types and cables, including RJ-11 and RJ-45, Ethernet and serial standards, BNC and coax for video, and Molex and ATX power connectors.

Explore various configurations for corporations, from graphic CAD workstations to virtualization and gaming rigs, highlighting RAM, solid-state drives, multiple monitors, and dedicated audio and video cards for editing and processing.

Trace Windows evolution from XP to Windows 10, noting stability and performance gains. Explore boot with hibernation, USB 3.0, ISO mounting, Continuum, Edge, DirectX 12, Cortana, and desktops.

Explore enterprise domain concepts, Active Directory policies, and domain users, then demonstrate TPM-based encryption and Encrypting File System with RSA keys and certificate-based access.

Understand branch cache in enterprise networks: use distributed cache mode on clients or host cache mode on servers to reduce WAN traffic and cache data locally across branch offices.

Learn OS deployment and installation strategies, including golden image workflows, pixie deployment, unattended zero-touch installations, and in-place upgrades using Windows ADK and pre installation environment.

Explore how to access and switch between Microsoft Windows 10 virtual desktops using the Windows key and the tab key to create separate desktops and boost productivity without extra monitors.

Learn to troubleshoot date and time issues in a domain environment by verifying server time sync, adjusting time settings, and manually configuring date and time.

Explore basic and dynamic disks, partition styles, and how primary, extended, and logical partitions with file systems support operating systems, boot data, and raid configurations.

Discover Windows 10 minimum hardware and software requirements, upgrade paths from Windows 7 SP1 or 8.1, and key control panel settings such as resolution, refresh rate, hidden files, and extensions.

Explore how to modify folder options to reveal hidden files, display file extensions, and adjust attributes in Windows, using both quick actions and the control panel.

Explore how the paging file boosts performance by temporarily storing less frequently used data, a Windows Millennium 2000 concept still used for certain processes.

Configure Windows Defender firewall across public and private networks, manage inbound/outbound rules, allow apps, test by temporarily disabling the firewall, and optimize performance with paging file and visual effects.

Explore Windows performance settings, including automatic paging file management and visual effects, and learn how to optimize for older hardware by enabling best performance.

Learn to manage stored credentials on Windows, including Microsoft account, Office, Skype, and Wi-Fi; remove and re-log in after password changes, and troubleshoot with programs and features like Lightroom.

Explore troubleshooting tools to diagnose and fix common device issues, including keyboard, audio, printing, Bluetooth, and network problems, using settings, control panel, and the network and sharing center.

Explore the computer management console and its tools, including device manager, local users and groups, performance monitor, event viewer, and task scheduler; review system and security logs, services, and msconfig.

Demonstrates Windows OS tools and demos, including editing the registry with backups, using the command prompt, managing services, enabling remote desktop, and creating batch scripts.

Explore Windows OS tools such as Explorer and the Task Manager to monitor processes and hardware; use DirectX diagnostics, OpenGL, defrag, and System Restore with restore points for troubleshooting.

Examine how Windows shares work by creating a network share, compare access to a remote C$ share versus local drive access, and note security implications of admin shares.

From a Windows operating system view, learn dial-up remote access and inbound connections. Explore enterprise VPN types—client-to-site and site-to-site—plus encryption and security posture, with cloud migration notes.

Explore wireless and wired network configurations, from wifi direct and router-based connections to proxy settings, remote desktop options like Quick Assist, TeamViewer, and IoT device connectivity.

Explore how Windows network profiles set to home, work, or public influence firewall behavior, and how IP addressing, DHCP, subnet masks, gateways, and DNS resolve and route traffic.

Explore full duplex and half duplex modes, and how packets and frames travel between devices at speed. Note wake on LAN magic packets and QoS, plus onboard vs PCI NICs.

Learn essential Windows command-line tools for deployment and maintenance, including dism, sfc, chkdsk, diskpart, format, and robust file and user management with xcopy, robocopy, gpresult, and net user.

Learn os command line basics: use /? after commands for help, list directories with drive, attributes, separators and sizes, and run commands as administrator when required for privileged tasks.

Explore how macOS and Linux compare to Windows, and examine backups with Time Machine and Time Shift, disk maintenance, and updates across Ubuntu, Red Hat, Fedora, and Kali.

Explore macOS and Linux features like screen sharing, remote management, terminal, mission control, keychain, spotlight, finder, iCloud, and boot camp for dual-boot Windows.

Master the Linux terminal foundations with core commands like ls, cd, mv, cp, rm, grep, and chmod for file management and permissions; learn IP basics, apt-get, vi, and symbolic links.

Explore laptop hardware components and how space constraints drive modular drives, integrated vs dedicated video cards, and key repair tasks. Learn about keyboards, touchpads, displays, power, batteries, and wireless connectivity.

Explain display components such as lcd and leds, the touch-screen digitizer with resistive or capacitive tech, and how function keys plus windows key + p enable external displays.

Learn modern mobile connectivity, including USB-C as a universal standard, USB tethering, NFC pairing, Bluetooth file sharing, infrared legacy use, and wifi hotspot tethering.

Explore how smtp, imap, and pop3 enable sending, retrieving, and offline reading via cloud-based email clients like Outlook, Gmail, and Thunderbird, with ssl, tls, and s/mime security.

Learn how synchronization and cloud backups enable cross-device data access via single sign-on, with automatic or manual syncing. Understand mobile accessories and memory storage options.

Explore how enterprise and home networks operate, from IP addresses and ports to the OSI seven-layer model. Understand TCP/UDP, port ranges, and how data moves from physical to application layers.

Discover how the domain name system translates domain names to IP addresses, caches records, and routes queries through registrars, top-level domains, subdomains, and start-of-authority records.

Learn how dynamic host configuration protocol automatically assigns IP addresses and configures default gateway, DNS, and subnet mask, and how the four-step process (discover, offer, request, acknowledgement) manages leases.

Explore how HTTP enables client–server web page requests, HTML documents, and hyperlinks. Understand stateless HTTP, cookies for stateful sessions, load balancing, and HTTP/2 multiplexing.

Explore how SNMP exchanges management information between network devices via an SNMP manager, agents, and the management information base (MIB), enabling centralized real-time monitoring, alerts, and logs.

Learn how LDAP and directory services enable data discovery and authentication in domain environments, with a focus on port 389, Kerberos, HTTPS, SMB, and remote desktop protocols.

Discover how routers act as gateway devices that route data across LANs and WANs via ISPs, secure networks with firewall, MAC filtering, and DMZ, and differentiate modems from routers.

Explore network firewalls as hardware and software security devices that enforce explicit and implicit denies, block traffic, and integrate features like VPN, proxy, application layer filtering, and next-generation intrusion prevention.

Understand how network interface cards enable wired and Wi-Fi connections, Mac addresses and spoofing risks, and the roles of hubs, switches, repeaters, and fiber to the premises.

Configure firewall settings and DMZ concepts to separate internet-facing servers (web, mail, DNS, proxy) from the internal network, enhancing security and containment.

Learn how DMZ security, access controls, and monitoring protect networks; configure port forwarding, NAT, and private IP ranges, and apply QoS, traffic classification, and bandwidth management to optimize performance.

Discover how bluetooth creates a personal area network by linking devices via inquiry, pairing, and connection. Review profiles like sbp, hid, and a2dp, and note bluetooth 5’s IoT focus.

Explore near-field communication and RFID standards, including tags, readers, and data flow to databases. Compare Zigbee and Z-Wave IoT protocols, mesh topologies, hop limits, and aes-128 encryption.

Trace the evolution from 1G to 5G, covering digital encryption, SMS, MMS, data speeds, and video calling; note LTE as advanced 4G and regional frequency differences.

This lecture explains network hosts as machines that provide services over the network, including web servers hosting pages and DNS resolution, file servers, cloud storage, and printer servers.

Learn how DHCP assigns IP addresses and gateways and how DNS resolves domain names to IPs, caches results, and uses records like A, CNAME, MX, TXT, SRV, and PTR.

Explain how IP addresses use 32 bits, with subnet masks and slash notation, and introduce classful versus classless addressing and variable length subnet masking.

Configure IP addresses with dynamic DHCP or static assignments for servers. Use DNS for name resolution, and NAT with port forwarding and NAT overload to share the Internet.

Explore IPv6 addressing, including global unicast, unique local, link local, and lookback addresses, and learn how dual stack, tunneling, and 6to4 enable IPv4 and IPv6 coexist.

Configure VLANs on switches to create logical separation, assign ports to specific VLANs, and use trunk links to extend VLANs across switches, with access ports for hosts.

Explore how internet service providers transmit data using cable, dsl, isdn, fiber, satellite, and cellular networks, with line-of-sight concepts and tethering options.

Explore networks by size, from personal area networks to local area networks, campus area networks, metropolitan area networks, and contrast wireless mesh networks with wired connectivity and encrypted branch-office links.

Master essential network tools: crimpers, cable strippers, multimeters, tone generators, and probes for diagnosing, repairing, and testing Ethernet, DSL, fiber, and Wi-Fi channels with testers, lookback plugs, and punch-down tools.

Explore physical security measures used in enterprises to protect networking and mobile devices, from mantraps and badge readers to mutual authentication and hardware tokens.

Discover how Active Directory logon scripts automate tasks at login, mapping drives, opening pages, and enforcing updates by placing scripts in the domain scripts folder and assigning them to users.

Explore Windows server account management, including domain vs local logins, first dot last naming, domain joined machines, password policies, login hours, and Kerberos in active directory.

Learn Windows Server basics for security, covering Active Directory, Group Policy management and objects, domain and forest concepts, and password policies in hybrid Azure joined setups.

Covers roaming profiles, home folders, and folder redirection in a domain, showing how user data is stored on a server and accessed from any computer.

Explore wireless authentication evolution from wep to wpa2, compare tkip and aes encryption, and examine enterprise vs psk modes with radius and tacacs+ authentication servers.

Explore malware types, including viruses, spyware, trojans, worms, and ransomware, and learn effective defenses like user training, antivirus, cloud endpoint security, backups, and secure dns.

Explore attack types including denial of service and distributed denial of service, botnet, zero day vulnerabilities, man in the middle, spoofing, brute force, dictionary, rainbow table, and noncompliant systems.

Explore operating system security through user permissions and account types: administrator, power user, standard, and guest. Understand NTFS and share permissions, inheritance, and administrative shares to control access.

Learn to view and manage administrative shares in Windows, including the C drive share, default admin shares, and accessing them via a network path on a local network.

Explore how Windows secures access with authentication, certificates, and single sign-on, and use run as administrator for privileged tasks, while BitLocker and EFS protect data on drives and files.

Enforce security best practices across environments with complex passwords and expiration, plus screen lock and login restrictions. Manage accounts with guest and lockout policies, data encryption, and careful patching.

Explore mobile security basics: iOS encryption, Apple account linkage, and multi-factor authentication with authenticator apps or texts, plus Intune baselines for BYOD and corporate devices.

Discover secure data disposal methods (shredding, degassing, incineration) and essential home network hardening—changing defaults, encryption, MAC filtering, and firmware updates.

Troubleshoot Windows operating system issues by rebooting, safe mode, and system restore or update rollback, then use task manager and troubleshooting tools to fix Explorer, drivers, malware, and startup problems.

Learn to troubleshoot security issues by inspecting cookies, temporary files, and adware indicators; use task manager, safe mode, and checks for legitimate URLs to remove threats.

Identify malware symptoms, quarantine and remediate infected systems, disable restore points, and use safe mode and scans to remove threats; also troubleshoot mobile issues like wifi, bluetooth, and unresponsive touchscreens.

Learn practical mobile troubleshooting from handling encrypted email issues and key imports to diagnosing battery drain, overheating, sound and touch screen problems, app permissions, data connection, and malware checks.

Learn to build a knowledge base and incident documentation, enforce regulatory compliance and acceptable use policies, and manage change requests with risk analysis, approvals, backups, and inventory controls.

Learn to disconnect power safely, lift with form within weight limits, use correct fire extinguishers, wear safety goggles, manage cables, and follow regulatory, DLP, MSDS, and data center HVAC guidelines.

Examine incident response team roles, data preservation and chain of custody to identify breaches and report via out-of-band channels, while exploring licensing, data privacy regulations, and security best practices.

Develop professional communication and customer service skills, including active listening, escalation, and setting expectations, while handling confidential data and device issues. Also cover scripting basics and environment variables for tasks.

Explore remote access technologies and security, noting telnet's insecurity, the use of encrypted connections and SSH in Linux/Unix, and RDP for cloud or network access with proper sign-out.

Learn a structured hardware troubleshooting process, from policy considerations and identifying the problem to testing theories, implementing actions, verifying results, and documenting outcomes, with hardware symptoms and tool-based diagnostics.

Identify overheating causes such as a fan that isn't spinning, dust buildup, and overclocking; assess hard drive noises, read/write failures, and use logs and smart checks to decide on replacements.

Explore common network issues from limited connectivity to no internet, diagnose with ipconfig, DNS fixes, router checks, ISP status, and permissions for network shares.

Discover cloud computing, its types and services from infrastructure as a service to platform as a service to software as a service, enabled by virtualization.

Identify cloud service models as SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS with Gmail as an example. Explain deployment models: public, private, hybrid, and community clouds, emphasizing on-demand scalability, lower cost, and security.

Explore cloud computing benefits and models, including rapid elasticity, on-demand provisioning, resource pooling, and measured services, plus security for internal or external infrastructure, email, storage, and virtual desktops.