CompTIA A+ 220 1201-1202 LABS ONLY Don't Just be a PaperCert

Download and install VMware Player, first virtualization tool, with links for Windows, Linux, and Mac; use the latest version that supports Windows Server 2025, may require uninstalling versions and restart.

download the Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 ISO files, selecting 64-bit editions in English United States, using free trial downloads, and save them to a desktop ISO folder.

Learn how to set up and run Windows Server 2025 with two Windows 11 clients in VMware Player, configure hardware, install VMware Tools, and troubleshoot common VM issues.

Explore virtualization with Oracle VirtualBox, install and launch VirtualBox manager, create Windows 11 and Windows 2025 virtual machines, and download VirtualBox from Oracle for Windows or Mac hosts.

Install Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 in VirtualBox by creating VMs, mounting ISO files, configuring memory and processors, and installing guest editions.

Learn to enable Hyper-V on a Windows system via control panel, noting it requires Windows Pro and not available on home edition, then access the Hyper-V console after restart.

Learn to install Windows Server 2025 and Windows 11 using Hyper-V, create and configure virtual machines with dynamic memory, enable TPM, mount ISOs, and troubleshoot product key and installation issues.

Download and install Cisco Packet Tracer, register for a free account, and launch the application. Use it to simulate DHCP labs ahead of Windows Server 2022 tasks.

Cover tcp/ip classes and how binary and decimal work. Explore ip addresses across ipv4 and ipv6, and how hosts on lan and wan become 32-bit ipv4 addresses with four octets.

Understand tcp/ip classes a, b, and c with ranges (a:1–127, b:128–191, c:192–223) and cidr /8,/16,/24 plus loopback 127.0.0.1 and unicast, multicast, broadcast.

Explain class C IPv4 addressing, including the 192 to 223 range, 255.255.255.0 slash 24, and how the first three octets form the network while the last is the host.

Explain class B addressing: first two octets form the network, last two form hosts with a /16 mask; first host 172.6.0.1 and last host 172.6.255.254.

Understand class A addressing, where the first octet is the network and the last three are hosts, using a /8 cidr with 255.0.0.0 and examples like 10.0.0.1.

Explore class d multicast versus class e research addresses, including pay-per-view and Netflix examples, and how routing protocols like RIP and OSPF use multicast to update neighbors.

Explore how tcp and udp differ, how sockets use source and destination ports, and private vs system ports, with well-known ports like http 80, https 443, ftp 21, dns 53.

Explore how TCP and UDP port numbers are observed with netstat on Windows, including 445, 3389, and Kerberos ports 88 and 464.

Explore the difference between private and public networks, memorize common private ranges (10.x, 172.16–172.31, 192.168.x), APIPA 169.254, DHCP roles, and how NAT maps private to public IPs.

Learn binary, decimal, and hexadecimal numbering and convert between them, understand IP version four's 32-bit and IP version six's 128-bit addresses, and see how MAC addresses use hexadecimal.

Simplify ipv6 addresses by removing leading zeros and using a double colon at the beginning, noting ipv6 is 128-bit with eight hex quartets and slash 64.

Explore IPv6 global addresses, public IPs from ISPs, that start with 2, with a 64-bit network portion and a 64-bit host portion, using /48 and /64 prefixes.

Explain unique local (site local) IPv6 addresses, a private non-routable internal range starting with fd, used for lab testing and QA, distinct from public internet routes.

Explore IPv6 link-local addresses (starts with f zero) auto-configured via slaac, enabling neighbor discovery with ndp, and mac-based 64-bit host IDs via eui-64 with bit-flip for global uniqueness.

Explore IPv6 multicast concepts, including ff00::/8 addresses used by RIP, OSPF, and others, and implement stateless address autoconfiguration with ICMP RS/RA, EUI-64, and neighbor solicitation.

Explore anycast addresses, global IPv6 addresses starting with 2, that replace IPv4 broadcast, enabling load balancing and fault tolerance by routing to the nearest router sharing the same address.

Learn how to test your own NIC using the IPv6 loopback address ::1, the equivalent of 127.0.0.1 in IPv4, and verify local network interface connectivity.

Explore configuring static IPv6 addresses on a shared network, assigning global and link-local addresses for laptops, desktops, and servers, and testing connectivity with ping and ICMP in Packet Tracer.

Configure static IPv6 addresses across multiple networks using /64 subnets and ensure the first four hex digits match so devices can communicate; mismatched networks block pings.

Compare hubs and switches, explore collision domains and broadcast domains, and learn how VLANs and multilayer switches enable segmentation and routing in a local network.

Explore the purpose and differences of routers and switches, from port types and models like 1941 to multilayer switches, and how they connect networks and local area networks.

Understand switches and multilayer switches, with Cisco models like 2960 and 3650, and learn about IP routing and power over Ethernet.

Discover how a Soho router combines router, switch, access point, and firewall for small offices or homes, connecting to a cable modem via a wan port and distributing Wi-Fi.

Explore how access points extend wireless networks, powered by power over Ethernet and connected to a switch, and how a wireless LAN controller manages multiple APs for secure, centralized configuration.

Learn how firewalls block or permit traffic by ports and how next-generation firewalls with an intrusion prevention system differ from traditional ones, using Cisco ASA and Firepower as examples.

Identify UTP unshielded twisted pair cable types—straight-through, crossover, and rollover. Learn how to use console cables for initial router or switch configuration via the console port.

Learn copper cabling basics—utp vs stp, emi, and category ratings for gigabit speeds—plus fiber optics basics, single-mode vs multi-mode, and distance limits affecting can, lan, and wan.

Learn what a local area network is, using switches within a single location, and how enabling IP routing on a multilayer switch turns it into a router for internet access.

Explore how wide area networks connect remote locations, distinguish the internet from site-to-site VPN, and use routers or multilayer switches with IP routing to reach the internet.

Define a metropolitan area network as a network linking the same company across different locations in the same city, such as bank branches and headquarters.

Explore campus area networks (CAN) as multiple buildings on the same avenue connected by multi-mode fiber optic cables up to 550m, and distinguish them from metropolitan area networks.

Define personal area networks (PAN) as networks for individual devices, such as Bluetooth headphones, speakers, cars, mice, and keyboards, emphasizing PANs are for the user and not shared.

Explore what a storage area network is and how data centers host servers in remote locations, including cloud providers and the concept of data residing in these centers.

Set up a SOHO wifi network by configuring the router, choosing 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, using WPA2 personal with a pre-shared key, and enabling guest networks and MAC filtering.

Set up an enterprise wifi network with four PoE-powered access points managed by a local area network controller via capwap. Configure the Udemy SSID using WPA2 PSK and enable roaming.