A+ Certification: Hardware, Operating System and Network Fundamentals

A+ Certification: Hardware Fundamentals
Unit 1: Computer Fundamentals
Basic Concepts
Common Terms and Concepts
Practice

Unit 2: Component Overview
Objectives
System Overview
System Modules
Boot Process
Practice

Unit 3: System Power
Objectives
Power Supply
Power and Voltage Concerns
Safety Concerns
Practice

Unit 4: Motherboard
Objectives
Overview
Microprocessors
Memory
System Configuration
Practice

Unit 5: Installation and Configuration
Objectives
IRQ, DMA, I/O Addresses and ROM BIOS
Bus Structures
Adapter Board Installation and Configuration
Practice

Unit 6: Disk Drives
Objectives
Introduction to Data Storage
Floppy Disk Drives
Hard Disk Drive Fundamentals
IDE and EIDE Disk Drives
Small System Computer Interface (SCSI)
Portable System Storage
Other Storage Devices
Practice

Unit 7: Peripherals
Objectives
Introduction to Peripherals
Ports, Connectors and Cables
Common Input Devices
Monitors
Printers
Modems
Portable Systems
Other Peripherals
Practice

Unit 8: System Upgrades
Objectives
Basic Concepts
Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)
Microprocessor (CPU) Upgrade
Memory Upgrade
Hard Disk Drive Upgrade
Upgrading Portable Systems
Practice

Unit 9: Networking
Objectives
Networking Concepts
Communication Path
Network Access Methods
Network Implementation
Network Software
Network Support Issues
Practice

Unit 10: System Maintenance
Objectives
Preventive Maintenance
Desktop Removal and Replacement
Portable Removal and Replacement
Practice

Unit 11: Troubleshooting
Objectives
Troubleshooting Fundamentals
Role of Information
Practical Troubleshooting
Power On Self Test (POST)
Common System Errors
Practice

Operating System Fundamentals
Unit 1: Operating System Overview
Objectives
Operating System Introduction
Windows 9x/Windows 2000
Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2
Desktop Navigation
Practice

Unit 2: Installation and Upgrade
Objectives
General Installation Procedures
Windows 9x Installation
Windows 2000 Installation
Practice

Unit 3: Operating System Fundamentals
Objectives
Working with Operating Systems
Legacy Operating System Files
Windows 9x
Windows 2000
Management Fundamentals
Practice

Unit 4: Device Management
Objectives
Introduction to Device Management
Device
Device Configuration
Printer Management
Windows 2000 Printer Installation
Practice

Unit 5: Disk Management
Objectives
Disk Management Overview
Disk Fundamentals
Disk Partitioning
File Systems
Fragmentation
Windows 9x Disk Management
Windows 2000 Disk Management
Practice

Unit 6: File, Directory and Application Management
Objectives
Management Overview
File and Folder Management
Application Management
Practice

Unit 7: Networking
Objectives
Networking Overview
Communication Protocols
Hardware Configuration
Windows 9x Networking
Windows 2000 Networking
Practice

Unit 8: Internet Access
Objectives
Introduction to the Internet
Internet Technologies
Internet Access Configuration
Internet Browsers
Practice

Unit 9: Troubleshooting
Objectives
Software Troubleshooting
Common Operating System Errors
Operational Errors
Management and Maintenance Utilities
Practice

Network Plus Certification
Unit 1: Overview of the Internet
Internet Basics 
Evolution of the Internet 
How the Internet Works 
Client/Server Model on the Internet 
Connecting to the Internet 
Internet Protocols 
Domain Name System (DNS) 
The Business of Domain Names 
Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) 
Intranets and Extranets
 
Unit 2: Introduction to Networking
Networking Overview 
Networking Evolution 
Mainframes 
Client/Server Model 
Web-based Networking 
Networking Categories 
Network Topologies 
Network Operating Systems 
Novell NetWare 
Microsoft Windows NT and Windows 2000 
UNIX
 
Unit 3: Networking Protocols
Basics of Networking Protocols 
OSI/RM 
Packets 
Application, Transport and Network Protocols 
Major Networking Protocols 
TCP/IP 
IPX/SPX 
NetBEUI 
AppleTalk 
Data Link Control (DLC) 
Systems Network Architecture (SNA) 
Choosing and Combining Protocols
Directory Services
 
Unit 4: Network Devices
Networking Systems Overview 
Local Area Networks 
Wide Area Networks 
Network Access Points (NAP) 
Common Network Componentry 
Common Peripheral Ports 
Transmission Media 
Environmental Factors

Unit 5: Connecting Your Network
Overview of Network Standards 
Transmission Types 
IEEE LAN Standards 
Additional LAN Standards 
Configuring Your Network Interface Card 
Interrupt Requests (IRQ), I/O Address, and DMA 
WAN Methods 
T-Carrier System 
E-Carrier System 
SONET/SDH
 
Unit 6: TCP/IP Architecture
Overview of TCP/IP 
TCP/IP and Interoperability 
The Internet Architecture 
Requests for Comments (RFCs) 
Internet Protocols 
De-multiplexing
Port Numbers
 
Unit 7: Internet Addressing
Basics of Internet Addressing 
Internet Addressing 
Internet Address Classes 
IP Addressing Rules 
Reserved IP Addressing 
Subnetworks 
Custom Subnet Masks 
IP Address Conservation
Normal TCP/IP Configuration Parameters
 
Unit 8: Routing
Routing Overview 
Introduction to Routing 
Routing Process 
Static vs. Dynamic Routing 
Routing and Packets 
Routing Protocols 
Routing Information Protocol (RIP) 
Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) 
Exterior Gateway Protocol (EGP) 
Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) 
Classless Interdomain Routing (CIDR)

Unit 9: TCP/IP Utilities
Overview of TCP/IP Utilities 
Useful Network Files 
Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) 
General Network Commands
Name and Address Commands

Unit 10: Internetworking Servers
Overview of Network Services 
Internetworking Servers 
File and Print Servers 
HTTP Server Essentials 
Proxy Servers 
Mail Servers 
Mailing List Servers 
Media Servers 
DNS Servers 
FTP Servers 
News Servers 
Certificate Servers 
Directory Servers 
Catalog Servers 
Transaction Servers 
The Internet Daemon: inetd 
Choosing the Ideal Server 
Determining Company Needs and Abilities 
Determining Product Advantages and Disadvantages 
Popular Server Products
 
Unit 11: Name Resolution
Overview of Name Resolution 
Hosts File 
Domain Name System (DNS) 
DNS Server Types 
DNS Hierarchy Example 
DNS Records 
Berkeley Internet Name Domain (BIND) 
Implementing DNS
Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS)

Unit 12: Address and Parameter Allocation for TCP/IP HOSTS
Address and Parameter Allocation 
BOOTstrap Protocol 
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
DHCP Implementation
 
Unit 13: Remote Connectivity
Basics of Remote Connectivity 
Types of Remote Connectivity 
Remote Access Servers 
Dial-up Protocols
Common Methods for Accessing a Remote Access Server
Remote Access Server Software
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

Unit 14: User Management
Overview of User Communication
Security Models and Authentication
Peer-level Access
User-level Access
Creating User Accounts
Permissions
Universal Permissions
Windows 2000, UNIX and Novell Permissions
Additional Logon Account Terms
Administrative Privilege
Standard Password Practices
Network Security Policies
Standard Operating Procedures

Unit 15: Network Printing
Overview of Network Printing
Network Printing
Flow of a Print Task
Configuring a Network Printer
Client Configuration
Using Forms
Separator Pages
Printing Pools
Printer Administration

Unit 16: Data Protection
Importance of Data Protection
Establishing a Baseline
Fault Tolerance
Other Types of Data Protection
Planning a Backup Strategy
Disaster Recovery

Unit 17: Network Security Essentials
Importance of Security
Defining Security
Defining Assets
Security Threats
Types of Attacks
Viruses
The Robert Morris Internet Worm
The Hacker Process
Defeating Attacks
Security Standards
Key Security Organizations
Auditing Phases
Securing a Server

Unit 18: Enterprise Network Security-Encryption and Firewalls
Overview of Secure Communication
The Internet: An Open Network
Encryption
Country-Specific Encryption Standards
Applied Encryption
Network-level Protocols and Encryption
Creating an SSL Session: The Server-Side View 
Firewalls
Packet Filters
Proxy Servers
Network Address Translation (NAT)
Firewall Topology
Firewall Summary

Unit 19: Maintaining Your Network
Maintenance Overview
Version Control
Moving or Changing Equipment
Patches and Fixes
Supporting Your Network

Unit 20: Troubleshooting the Network and Diagnostic Tools
Troubleshooting Overview
Analyzing the Scope of the Problem
Applying Troubleshooting Methods
Troubleshooting Name Resolution
Using Troubleshooting Indicators
Using Troubleshooting Tools