Tuesday, October 13, 2009

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)
  1. Network types

  • ISDN
  • Infra red
  • VOIP
  1. 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