CompTIA A+ 220-801 Objectives The CompTIA A+ 220-801 exam is divided up by domain. Each domain makes up a certain percentage of the test. The five domains of the A+ 220-801 exam and their respective percentages are listed in the following table: Domain Percentage of exam 1.0 PC Hardware 40% 2.0 Networking 27% 3.0 Laptops 11% 4.0 Printers 11% 5.0 Operational Procedures 11% Total 100%
2 CompTIA A+ 220-801 Objectives 1.0 PC Hardware 40% 1.1 Configure and apply BIOS settings. Install firmware upgrades flash BIOS BIOS component information n RAM n Hard drive n Optical drive n CPU BIOS configurations n Boot sequence n Enabling and disabling devices n Date/time n Clock speeds n Virtualization support n BIOS security (passwords, drive encryption: TPM, lo-jack) Use built-in diagnostics Monitoring n Temperature monitoring n Fan speeds n Intrusion detection/notification n Voltage n Clock n Bus speed
1.0 PC Hardware 40% 3 1.2 Differentiate between motherboard components, their purposes, and properties. Sizes n ATX n Micro-ATX n ITX Expansion slots n PCI n PCI-X n PCIe n minipci n CNR n AGP2x, 4x, 8x RAM slots CPU sockets Chipsets n North Bridge n South Bridge n CMOS battery Jumpers Power connections and types Fan connectors Front panel connectors n USB n Audio n Power button
4 CompTIA A+ 220-801 Objectives n Power light n Drive activity lights n Reset button Bus speeds 1.3 Compare and contrast RAM types and features. Types n DDR n DDR2 n DDR3 n SDRAM n SODIMM n RAMBUS n DIMM n Parity vs. non-parity n ECC vs. non-ecc n RAM configurations n Single channel vs. dual channel vs. triple channel n Single sided vs. double sided RAM compatibility and speed 1.4 Install and configure expansion cards. Sound cards Video cards Network cards Serial and parallel cards
1.0 PC Hardware 40% 5 USB cards Firewire cards Storage cards Modem cards Wireless/cellular cards TV tuner cards Video capture cards Riser cards 1.5 Install and configure storage devices and use appropriate media. Optical drives n CD-ROM n DVD-ROM n Blu-Ray Combo drives and burners n CD-RW n DVD-RW n Dual Layer DVD-RW n BD-R n BD-RE Connection types n External n USB n Firewire n esata n Ethernet n Internal SATA, IDE and SCSI
6 CompTIA A+ 220-801 Objectives n IDE configuration and setup (Master, Slave, Cable Select) n SCSI IDs (0 15) n Hot swappable drives Hard drives n Magnetic n 5400 rpm n 7200 rpm n 10,000 rpm n 15,000 rpm Solid state/flash drives n Compact flash n SD n Micro-SD n Mini-SD n xd n SSD RAID types n 0 n 1 n 5 n 10 Floppy drive Tape drive Media capacity n CD n CD-RW n DVD-RW n DVD
1.0 PC Hardware 40% 7 n Blu-Ray n Tape n Floppy n DL DVD 1.6 Differentiate among various CPU types and features and select the appropriate cooling method. Socket types n Intel: LGA, 775, 1155, 1156, 1366 n AMD: 940, AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1, F Characteristics n Speeds n Cores n Cache size/type n Hyperthreading n Virtualization support n Architecture (32-bit vs. 64-bit) n Integrated GPU Cooling n Heat sink n Fans n Thermal paste n Liquid-based
8 CompTIA A+ 220-801 Objectives 1.7 Compare and contrast various connection interfaces and explain their purpose. Physical connections n USB 1.1 vs. 2.0 vs. 3.0 speed and distance characteristics n Connector types: A, B, mini, micro n Firewire 400 vs. Firewire 800 speed and distance characteristics n SATA1 vs. SATA2 vs. SATA3, esata, IDE speeds n Other connector types n Serial n Parallel n VGA n HDMI n DVI n Audio n RJ-45 n RJ-11 n Analog vs. digital transmission n VGA vs. HDMI Speeds, distances and frequencies of wireless device connections n Bluetooth n IR n RF
1.0 PC Hardware 40% 9 1.8 Install an appropriate power supply based on a given scenario. Connector types and their voltages n SATA n Molex n 4/8-pin 12v n PCIe 6/8-pin n 20-pin n 24-pin n Floppy Specifications n Wattage n Size n Number of connectors n ATX n Micro-ATX Dual voltage options 1.9 Evaluate and select appropriate components for a custom configuration, to meet customer specifications or needs. Graphic / CAD / CAM design workstation n Powerful processor n High-end video n Maximum RAM
10 CompTIA A+ 220-801 Objectives Audio/Video editing workstation n Specialized audio and video card n Large fast hard drive n Dual monitors Virtualization workstation n Maximum RAM and CPU cores Gaming PC n Powerful processor n High-end video/specialized GPU n Better sound card n High-end cooling Home Theater PC n Surround sound audio n HDMI output n HTPC compact form factor n TV tuner Standard thick client n Desktop applications n Meets recommended requirements for running Windows Thin client n Basic applications n Meets minimum requirements for running Windows Home Server PC n Media streaming n File sharing n Print sharing n Gigabit NIC n RAID array
1.0 PC Hardware 40% 11 1.10 Given a scenario, evaluate types and features of display devices. Types n CRT n LCD n LED n Plasma n Projector n OLED Refresh rates Resolution Native resolution Brightness/lumens Analog vs. digital Privacy/antiglare filters Multiple displays 1.11 Identify connector types and associated cables. Display connector types n DVI-D n DVI-I n DVI-A n Displayport n RCA n DB-15
12 CompTIA A+ 220-801 Objectives n BNC n minihdmi n RJ-45 n minidin-6 Display cable types n HDMI n DVI n VGA n Component n Composite n S-video n RGB n Coaxial n Ethernet Device connectors and pin arrangements n SATA n esata n PATA n IDE n EIDE n Floppy n USB n IEEE1394 n SCSI n PS/2 n Parallel n Serial n Audio n RJ-45
1.0 PC Hardware 40% 13 Device cable types n SATA n esata n IDE n EIDE n Floppy n USB n IEEE1394 n SCSI n 68pin vs. 50pin vs. 25pin n Parallel n Serial n Ethernet n Phone 1.12 Install and configure various peripheral devices. Input devices n Mouse n Keyboard n Touch screen n Scanner n Barcode reader n KVM n Microphone n Biometric devices n Game pads
14 CompTIA A+ 220-801 Objectives n Joysticks n Digitizer Multimedia devices n Digital cameras n Microphone n Webcam n Camcorder n MIDI enabled devices Output devices n Printers n Speakers n Display devices 2.0 Networking 27% 2.1 Identify types of network cables and connectors. Fiber n Connectors: SC, ST and LC Twisted Pair n Connectors: RJ-11, RJ-45 n Wiring standards: T568A, T568B Coaxial n Connectors: BNC, F-connector
2.0 Networking 27% 15 2.2 Categorize characteristics of connectors and cabling. Fiber n Types (single-mode vs. multi-mode) n Speed and transmission limitations Twisted pair n Types: STP, UTP, CAT3, CAT5, CAT5e, CAT6, plenum, PVC n Speed and transmission limitations Coaxial n Types: RG-6, RG-59 n Speed and transmission limitations 2.3 Explain properties and characteristics of TCP/IP. IP class n Class A n Class B n Class C IPv4 vs. IPv6 Public vs. private vs. APIPA Static vs. dynamic Client-side DNS DHCP Subnet mask Gateway
16 CompTIA A+ 220-801 Objectives 2.4 Explain common TCP and UDP ports, protocols, and their purpose. Ports n 21 FTP n 23 TELNET n 25 SMTP n 53 DNS n 80 HTTP n 110 POP3 n 143 IMAP n 443 HTTPS n 3389 RDP Protocols n DHCP n DNS n LDAP n SNMP n SMB n SSH n SFTP TCP vs. UDP
2.0 Networking 27% 17 2.5 Compare and contrast wireless networking standards and encryption types. Standards n 802.11 a/b/g/n n Speeds, distances and frequencies Encryption types n WEP, WPA, WPA2, TKIP, AES 2.6 Install, configure, and deploy a SOHO wireless/wired router using appropriate settings. MAC filtering Channels (1 11) Port forwarding, port triggering SSID broadcast (on/off) Wireless encryption Firewall DHCP (on/off) DMZ NAT WPS Basic QoS
18 CompTIA A+ 220-801 Objectives 2.7 Compare and contrast Internet connection types and features. Cable DSL Dial-up Fiber Satellite ISDN Cellular (mobile hotspot) Line of sight wireless internet service WiMAX 2.8 Identify various types of networks. LAN WAN PAN MAN Topologies n Mesh n Ring n Bus n Star n Hybrid
2.0 Networking 27% 19 2.9 Compare and contrast network devices their functions and features. Hub Switch Router Access point Bridge Modem NAS Firewall VoIP phones Internet appliance 2.10 Given a scenario, use appropriate networking tools. Crimper Multimeter Toner probe Cable tester Loopback plug Punchdown tool
20 CompTIA A+ 220-801 Objectives 3.0 Laptops 11% 3.1 Install and configure laptop hardware and components. Expansion options n Express card /34 n Express card /54 n PCMCIA n SODIMM n Flash Hardware/device replacement n Keyboard n Hard Drive (2.5 vs. 3.5) n Memory n Optical drive n Wireless card n Mini-PCIe n screen n DC jack n Battery n Touchpad n Plastics n Speaker n System board n CPU
3.0 Laptops 11% 21 3.2 Compare and contrast the components within the display of a laptop. Types n LCD n LED n OLED n Plasma Wi-Fi antenna connector/placement Inverter and its function Backlight 3.3 Compare and contrast laptop features. Special function keys n Dual displays n Wireless (on/off) n Volume settings n Screen brightness n Bluetooth (on/off) n Keyboard backlight Docking station vs. port replicator Physical laptop lock and cable lock
22 CompTIA A+ 220-801 Objectives 4.0 Printers 11% 4.1 Explain the differences between the various printer types and summarize the associated imaging process. Laser n Imaging drum, fuser assembly, transfer belt, transfer roller, pickup rollers, separate pads, duplexing assembly n Imaging process: processing, charging, exposing, developing, transferring, fusing and cleaning Inkjet n Ink cartridge, print head, roller, feeder, duplexing assembly, carriage and belt n Calibration Thermal n Feed assembly, heating element n Special thermal paper Impact n Print head, ribbon, tractor feed n Impact paper
4.0 Printers 11% 23 4.2 Given a scenario, install, and configure printers. Use appropriate printer drivers for a given operating system Print device sharing n Wired n USB n Parallel n Serial n Ethernet n Wireless n Bluetooth n 802.11x n Infrared (IR) n Printer hardware print server Printer sharing n Sharing local/networked printer via Operating System settings 4.3 Given a scenario, perform printer maintenance. Laser n Replacing toner, applying maintenance kit, calibration, cleaning Thermal n Replace paper, clean heating element, remove debris Impact n Replace ribbon, replace print head, replace paper
24 CompTIA A+ 220-801 Objectives 5.0 Operational Procedures 11% 5.1 Given a scenario, use appropriate safety procedures. ESD straps ESD mats Self-grounding Equipment grounding Personal safety n Disconnect power before repairing PC n Remove jewelry n Lifting techniques n Weight limitations n Electrical fire safety n CRT safety proper disposal n Cable management Compliance with local government regulations
5.0 Operational Procedures 11% 25 5.2 Explain environmental impacts and the purpose of environmental controls. MSDS documentation for handling and disposal Temperature, humidity level awareness and proper ventilation Power surges, brownouts, blackouts n Battery backup n Surge suppressor Protection from airborne particles n Enclosures n Air filters Dust and debris n Compressed air n Vacuums Component handling and protection n Antistatic bags Compliance to local government regulations 5.3 Given a scenario, demonstrate proper communication and professionalism. Use proper language avoid jargon, acronyms, slang when applicable Maintain a positive attitude Listen and do not interrupt the customer Be culturally sensitive Be on time (if late contact the customer)
26 CompTIA A+ 220-801 Objectives Avoid distractions n Personal calls n Talking to co-workers while interacting with customers n Personal interruptions Dealing with difficult customer or situation n Avoid arguing with customers and/or being defensive n Do not minimize customer s problems n Avoid being judgmental n Clarify customer statements (ask open ended questions to narrow the scope of the problem, restate the issue or question to verify understanding) Set and meet expectations/timeline and communicate status with the customer n Offer different repair/replacement options if applicable n Provide proper documentation on the services provided n Follow up with customer/user at a later date to verify satisfaction Deal appropriately with customers confidential materials n Located on a computer, desktop, printer, etc 5.4 Explain the fundamentals of dealing with prohibited content/activity. First response n Identify n Report through proper channels n Data/device preservation Use of documentation/documentation changes Chain of custody n Tracking of evidence/documenting process