Revised A+ Practice Tests With New Exam Engine

The practice tests for A+ Certification have been updated at SimulationExams.com. The practice tests consist of A+ Essentials 220-701 and A+ Practical Application 220-702. The new exam engine has the following features:
1. Integrated Exam Environment - All the available practice tests from SimulationExams.com will have a parent document within the program. One will be able see the test modules installed as well as the test modules that available for download and installation as can be seen from the figure above.
2. It is possible to check for any available updates pro grammatically, and install the latest version of the tests. Note that it is not required to check for updates manually as it is the case with other exam engines of other vendors.
3. Un-install: It is possible to uninstall any test module or the entire exam engine. Note that if you want to uninstall the entire exam engine, you will have the option to uninstall the individual test modules or not to.
4. Inline question feed-back: Candidates will be able to provide feedback on any individual question(s) without leaving the exam environment.
5. Several types of questions: Just as in the real cert exam, several types of question formats are supported: Multiple choice, Simlets, Testlets, Router Simulations, and Exhibit based questions

The demo version is limited to about 30 questions where as the full version will have 300+ questions. Demo version may be activated in to full version after ordering the same.

Download Demo versions:

A+ Essentials Practice Tests 220-701

A+ Practical Applications Practice Tests 220-702

A+ Certification 220-601 (2006 Objectives) and 220-701 (2009 Objectives) Compared

1. Networking

Basic networking concepts

• Basics of workgroups and domains
• Hub, switch and router
• Common ports: HTTP, FTP, POP, SMTP, TELNET, HTTPS
• Identify Virtual Private Networks (VPN)
• Basics class identification

Network types

• Broadband : fiber
• Wireless : WEP, WPA, SSID, MAC filtering, DHCP Settings

2. Security

Basics of data sensitivity and data security

• Compliance
• Classifications
• Social engineering

Security features (BIOS Security)

• Drive lock
• Passwords
• Intrusion detection
• TPM

Biometrics

• Fingerprint scanner
• Data wiping / hard drive destruction / hard drive recycling

3. Operating Systems

Additional OS:Windows Vista Home, Home Premium, Business and Ultimate

Compare and contrast the different Windows Operating Systems and their features

• Windows 2000, Windows XP 32bit vs. 64bit, Windows Vista 32 bit vs. 64bit
• Side bar, Aero, UAC, minimum system requirements, system limits
• Windows 2000 and newer – upgrade paths and requirements
• Terminology (32bit vs. 64bit – x86 vs. x64)
• Application compatibility, installed program locations (32bit vs. 64bit),
• Windows compatibility mode
• User interface, start bar layout

Command prompt utilities

• telnet
• ping
• ipconfig

Run line utilities

• msconfig
• msinfo32
• Dxdiag
• Cmd

Installation methods

• Recover CD
• Factory recovery partition

Install and configure windows OS

• User data migration – User State Migration Tool (USMT)
• Virtual memory

Configure power management

• Suspend
• Wake on LAN
• Sleep timers
• Hibernate
• Standby

Demonstrate safe removal of peripherals

4. Hardware or Personal Computer components

Blu-Ray optical drive

Removable Storage: Hot swappable devices and non-hot swappable devices

Motherboard characteristics

I/O interfaces : USB 1.1 and 2.0,PS/2

Memory slots

• SODIMM
• SIMM

Bus slots

• PCMCIA

Contrast RAID (levels 0, 1, 5)

Power supplies types

• Voltage selector switch
• Pins (20, 24)

CPU characteristics

• Multicore , Triple and Quad core
• Onchip Cache : L1 and L2

Memory Types

Single channel vs. dual channel

Speed

• PC100
• PC133
• PC2700
• PC3200
• DDR3-1600
• DDR2-667

Input devices

KVM switch

5. Troubleshooting, Repair and Maintenance

Common hardware and operating system symptoms and their causes

Hardware related symptoms

• Excessive heat
• Noise
• Odors
• Status light indicators
• Alerts
• Visible damage (e.g. cable, plastic)

Use documentation and resources

• User / installation manuals
• Internet / web based
• Training materials

6. Communication and Professionalism

Set and meet expectations / timeline and communicate status with the customer

• Offer different repair / replacement options if applicable
• Provide proper documentation on the services provided
• Follow up with customer / user at a later date to verify satisfaction

7.Safety and Environmental Procedures

EMI

• Network interference
• Magnets

RFI

• Cordless phone interference
• Microwaves

Electrical safety

• CRT
• Power supply
• Inverter
• Laser printers
• Matching power requirements of equipment with power distribution and UPSs

Cable management

• Avoiding trip hazards
• Physical safety
• Heavy devices
• Hot components

Topics Removed

1. Networking Removed topics

1. Basic networking concepts

• Cabling
• Protocols (all other than TCP/IP, NetBIOS)
• Connectors (all other than RJ45 and RJ11)

2. Network types

• ISDN
• Infra red
• VOIP

3. All topics under these subheadings

i. Install, configure, optimize and upgrade networks

ii. Identify tools, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques for networks

2. Security Removed topics

• Access points
• Describe importance and process of incident reporting
• Recognize and respond appropriately to social engineering situations
• Perform preventive maintenance for computer security

3.OS Removed topics

• Identify names, purposes and characteristics of the primary operating system components including registry, virtual memory and file system
• Identify the names, locations, purposes and characteristics of operating system files for

example:

BOOT.INI

NTLDR

NTDETECT.COM

NTBOOTDD.SYS

Registry data files

4. Laptops and Portable Devices

Identifyand distinguish between mobile and desktop motherboards and processors including throttling, power management and WiFi

5.Printers

• Solid Ink
• Interfaces used by printers and scanners
• Basic concepts of installing, configuring, optimizing and upgrading printers and scanners
• Tools, basic diagnostic procedures for printers and scanners

A+ IT Practice Questions

1. When replacing an LCD in a laptop with Wi-Fi capabilities, which of the following cables should be disconnected? (Choose 2 best answers).

a. Main VGA to Primary Controller Board
b. Speaker
c. Keyboard
d. Panel
e. Wi-Fi

Ans: a,e

2. Which of the following measurement of a digital multimeter is typically done on a device in power-off state?

a. Voltage
b. Power
c. Current
d. Resistance

Ans: d

3. You find that the laser printer is slow in printing. Which of the following is most likely to increase the printing speed of a laser printer?

a. Update firmware
b. Update driver
c. Add more physical memory
d. Change paper
e. Change toner

ans: c

4. A Windows XP computer is connected to a peer-to-peer network. You suspect that the system is being hacked without any visible traces of being compromised. The computer has one user account and an administrative password set. Which of the following will create a higher level of
security?

a. Change Operating System to Windows 2000
b. Disable Guest account
c. Use complex password
d. Choose a different computer name

ans: b

5. To automatically update the accessories of a network printer, both the printer and the computer must support:

a. LPR/LPD
b. SNMP
c. HTTP
d. SSL

ans: b

6. What should a technician do FIRST to fix a problem on a Windows XP computer that displays an “Error loading operating system” or “Missing operating system” error message?

a. Re-install Windows XP from CD
b. From the Recovery Console run the FIXMBR command
c. Run Notton Anti Virus
d. Delete registry file

ans: b

A+ Essentials Exam - Revised (New Objectives)

SimulationExams.com recently revised A+ Certification practice exams engine. One need to pass A+ Essentials along with one of the three available optionals, viz. A+ IT Technician, A+ Remote Support Technician, or A+ Depot Technician exams.

Details are available as below:
A+ Essentials
A+ IT Technican
A+ Remote Support
A+ Depot Technician

A+ Certification, awarded by CompTIA is vendor neutral. CompTIA certifications do not expire, though CompTIA recommends updating the certification to the most recent one offered by CompTIA.

A+ IT Technician Practice Tests

SimulationExams.com, a leading practice tests provider has recently released A+ IT Technician practice tests. The said exam is an optional part of the 2-part A+ Certification. To achieve A+ Certification, one needs to pass A+ Essentials exam and one of the following 3 optional exams:
a. A+ IT Technician, or
b. A+ Remote Support Technician, or
c. A+ Depot Technician

Among the 3 optional exams, A+ IT Technician is the most widely chosen optional exam for obtaining A+ Certification. CompTIA has discontinued earlier A+ Core Hardware, and A+ Operating Systems exams, and the candidates will no longer be able to register for these exams.

CompTIA certifications are valid for life, though the organization recommend for re-certification to keep abreast of changing technologies. A+ Certification is vendor neutral.

VLAN Port Assignments

VLAN Port Assignments

• VLANs are assigned to individual switch ports.

• Ports can be statically assigned to a single VLAN or dynamically assigned to a single VLAN.

• All ports are assigned to VLAN 1 by default

• Ports are active only if they are assigned to VLANs that exist on the switch.

• Static port assignments are performed by the administrator and do not change unless modified by the administrator, whether the VLAN exists on the switch or not.

• Dynamic VLANs are assigned to a port based on the MAC address of the device plugged into a port.

• Dynamic VLAN configuration requires a VLAN Membership Policy Server (VMPS) client, server, and database to operate properly.

CCENT Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician

Cisco has recently introduced CCENT (Cisco Certified Entry-level Networking Technician) exam. The exam topic are provided below for reference:

Exam Number:		640-822 ICND1
Associated Certifications:		CCENT and CCNA
Duration:		90 Minutes (50-60 questions)
Available Languages:		English

Describe the operation of data networks.

• Describe the purpose and functions of various network devices
• Select the components required to meet a given network specification
• Use the OSI and TCP/IP models and their associated protocols to explain how data flows in a network
• Describe common networking applications including web applications
• Describe the purpose and basic operation of the protocols in the OSI and TCP models
• Describe the impact of applications (Voice Over IP and Video Over IP) on a network
• Interpret network diagrams
• Determine the path between two hosts across a network
• Describe the components required for network and Internet communications
• Identify and correct common network problems at layers 1, 2, 3 and 7 using a layered model approach
• Differentiate between LAN/WAN operation and features

Implement a small switched network

• Select the appropriate media, cables, ports, and connectors to connect switches to other network devices and hosts
• Explain the technology and media access control method for Ethernet technologies
• Explain network segmentation and basic traffic management concepts
• Explain the operation of Cisco switches and basic switching concepts
• Perform, save and verify initial switch configuration tasks including remote access management
• Verify network status and switch operation using basic utilities (including: ping, traceroute,telnet,SSH,arp, ipconfig), SHOW & DEBUG commands
• Implement and verify basic security for a switch (port security, deactivate ports)
• Identify, prescribe, and resolve common switched network media issues, configuration issues, autonegotiation, and switch hardware failures

Implement an IP addressing scheme and IP services to meet network requirements for a small branch office

• Describe the need and role of addressing in a network
" Create and apply an addressing scheme to a network
• Assign and verify valid IP addresses to hosts, servers, and networking devices in a LAN environment
• Explain the basic uses and operation of NAT in a small network connecting to one ISP
• Describe and verify DNS operation
• Describe the operation and benefits of using private and public IP addressing
• Enable NAT for a small network with a single ISP and connection using SDM and verify operation using CLI and ping
• Configure, verify and troubleshoot DHCP and DNS operation on a router.(including: CLI/SDM)
• Implement static and dynamic addressing services for hosts in a LAN environment
• Identify and correct IP addressing issues

Implement a small routed network

• Describe basic routing concepts (including: packet forwarding, router lookup process)
• Describe the operation of Cisco routers (including: router bootup process, POST, router components)
• Select the appropriate media, cables, ports, and connectors to connect routers to other network devices and hosts
• Configure, verify, and troubleshoot RIPv2
• Access and utilize the router CLI to set basic parameters
• Connect, configure, and verify operation status of a device interface
• Verify device configuration and network connectivity using ping, traceroute, telnet, SSH or other utilities
• Perform and verify routing configuration tasks for a static or default route given specific routing requirements
• Manage IOS configuration files (including: save, edit, upgrade, restore)
• Manage Cisco IOS
• Implement password and physical security
• Verify network status and router operation using basic utilities (including: ping, traceroute,telnet,SSH,arp, ipconfig), SHOW & DEBUG commands

Explain and select the appropriate administrative tasks required for a WLAN

• Describe standards associated with wireless media (including: IEEE WI-FI Alliance, ITU/FCC)
• Identify and describe the purpose of the components in a small wireless network. (including: SSID, BSS, ESS)
• Identify the basic parameters to configure on a wireless network to ensure that devices connect to the correct access point
• Compare and contrast wireless security features and capabilities of WPA security (including: open, WEP, WPA-1/2)
• Identify common issues with implementing wireless networks

Identify security threats to a network and describe general methods to mitigate those threats

• Explain today's increasing network security threats and the need to implement a comprehensive security policy to mitigate the threats
• Explain general methods to mitigate common security threats to network devices, hosts, and applications
• Describe the functions of common security appliances and applications
• Describe security recommended practices including initial steps to secure network devices

Implement and verify WAN links

• Describe different methods for connecting to a WAN
• Configure and verify a basic WAN serial connection

http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/current_exams/640-822.html