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