ITS 103 - Device Configuration and Management

Compare and contrast HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, DVI, and USB connection types, noting how adapters may lose audio and features, and how device manager helps install dedicated drivers for full functionality.

Explore virtual machines and hypervisors, using VirtualBox to run Linux or Windows locally or in the cloud, with dynamic storage allocation and booting from an image.

Describe and configure file sharing and permissions with hands-on demos of sharing a folder on a network, setting NTFS permissions, and troubleshooting firewall and static IP issues.

Master file sharing and permissions in Windows 10 and Windows 11 by setting read-only shares, mapping network drives, and managing ownership, inheritance, and effective access.

Learn to compare full, differential, and incremental backups, optimize backup time, and review Windows options like OneDrive cloud backups and legacy backup and restore snapshots.

Describe data access and retention policies, including memoranda of understanding, acceptable use policies, legal holds, ownership of and access to data and history, and remote wipe under device management (MDM).

Identify viruses, trojans, worms, spyware, adware, ransomware, and keyloggers, verify downloads, use antivirus and updates, and recognize phishing, social engineering, and tailgating to protect systems.

Understand user account control (uac) settings, levels from never notify to always notify, and how the shield icon prompts administrator access to mitigate malware, introduced with Windows Vista.

This final chapter covers performing troubleshooting tasks across Windows operating system and applications, using tools like Event Viewer, Performance Monitor, and commands such as ip config, ping, and trace art.

Learn Windows troubleshooting for OS and applications, including recovery options, resets, advanced startup, safe mode, command prompt, and system image recovery.

Explore local and group policies in Windows 10, using the local group policy editor and server-backed Active Directory to apply password rules and desktop settings across devices.

Identify and fix device issues by using Windows troubleshooting tools such as Event Viewer and Performance Monitor, and master commands like ipconfig, ping, tracert, and nslookup.

Diagnose wired and wireless connections by examining IP address, DHCP leasing, and static versus automatic settings, and identify missing default gateways that hinder network and domain access.

Troubleshoot peripheral device connections in Windows by checking drivers and services, managing printers and storage, using device manager and disk management, and limiting camera and microphone access.

Explore Windows 10 apps for file management, security, and productivity, including 7-zip with encryption and password protection, Notepad++ for coding, a PDF viewer, and KeePass offline password management.