CompTIA A+ (A Plus - Core 1) Exam Syllabus

A+ Core 1 PDF, 220-1001 Dumps, 220-1001 PDF, A+ Core 1 VCE, 220-1001 Questions PDF, CompTIA 220-1001 VCE, CompTIA A Plus (Core 1) Dumps, CompTIA A Plus (Core 1) PDFUse this quick start guide to collect all the information about CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1001) Certification exam. This study guide provides a list of objectives and resources that will help you prepare for items on the 220-1001 CompTIA A+ (Core 1) exam. The Sample Questions will help you identify the type and difficulty level of the questions and the Practice Exams will make you familiar with the format and environment of an exam. You should refer this guide carefully before attempting your actual CompTIA A Plus (Core 1) certification exam.

The CompTIA A+ Core 1 certification is mainly targeted to those candidates who want to build their career in Core domain. The CompTIA A+ exam verifies that the candidate possesses the fundamental knowledge and proven skills in the area of CompTIA A Plus (Core 1).

CompTIA A+ Core 1 Exam Summary:

Exam Name CompTIA A+
Exam Code 220-1001
Exam Price $246 (USD)
Duration 90 mins
Number of Questions 90
Passing Score 675 / 900
Books / Training CertMaster Learn for A+
Schedule Exam CompTIA Marketplace
Pearson VUE
Sample Questions CompTIA A+ Core 1 Sample Questions
Practice Exam CompTIA 220-1001 Certification Practice Exam

CompTIA 220-1001 Exam Syllabus Topics:

Topic Details

Mobile Devices - 14%

Given a scenario, install and configure laptop hardware and components. 1. Hardware/device replacement
  • Keyboard
  • Hard drive
    - SSD vs. hybrid vs. magnetic disk

    - 1.8in vs. 2.5in
  • Memory
  • Smart card reader
  • Optical drive
  • Wireless card/Bluetooth module
  • Cellular card
  • Video card
  • Mini PCIe
  • Screen
  • DC jack
  • Battery
  • Touchpad
  • Plastics/frames
  • Speaker
  • System board
  • CPU
Given a scenario, install components within the display of a laptop. 1. Types
  • LCD
  • OLED

2. WiFi antenna connector/placement
3. Webcam
4. Microphone
5. Inverter
6. Digitizer/touchscreen

Given a scenario, use appropriate laptop features. 1. Special function keys
  • Dual displays
  • Wireless (on/off)
  • Cellular (on/off)
  • Volume settings
  • Screen brightness
  • Bluetooth (on/off)
  • Keyboard backlight
  • Touchpad (on/off)
  • Screen orientation
  • Media options (fast forward/rewind)
  • GPS (on/off)
  • Airplane mode

2. Docking station
3. Port replicator
4. Physical laptop lock and cable lock
5. Rotating/removable screens

Compare and contrast characteristics of various types of other mobile devices. 1. Tablets
2. Smartphones
3. Wearable technology devices
  • Smart watches
  • Fitness monitors
  • VR/AR headsets

4. E-readers
5. GPS

Given a scenario, connect and configure accessories and ports of other mobile devices. 1. Connection types
  • Wired
    - Micro-USB/Mini-USB/USB-C
    - Lightning
    - Tethering

    - Proprietary vendor-specific ports (communication/power)
  • Wireless
    - NFC
    - Bluetooth
    - IR
    - Hotspot

2. Accessories

  • Headsets
  • Speakers
  • Game pads
  • Extra battery packs/battery chargers
  • Protective covers/waterproofing
  • Credit card readers
  • Memory/MicroSD
Given a scenario, configure basic mobile device network connectivity and application support. 1. Wireless/cellular data network (enable/disable)
  • Hotspot
  • Tethering
  • Airplane mode

2. Bluetooth

  • Enable Bluetooth
  • Enable pairing
  • Find a device for pairing
  • Enter the appropriate pin code
  • Test connectivity

3. Corporate and ISP email configuration

  • POP3
  • IMAP
  • Port and SSL settings
  • S/MIME

4. Integrated commercial provider email configuration

  • iCloud
  • Google/Inbox
  • Exchange Online
  • Yahoo

5. PRI updates/PRL updates/ baseband updates
6. Radio firmware
7. IMEI vs. IMSI
8. VPN

Given a scenario, use methods to perform mobile device synchronization. 1. Synchronization methods
  • Synchronize to the cloud
  • Synchronize to the desktop
  • Synchronize to the automobile

2. Types of data to synchronize

  • Contacts
  • Applications
  • Email
  • Pictures
  • Music
  • Videos
  • Calendar
  • Bookmarks
  • Documents
  • Location data
  • Social media data
  • E-books
  • Passwords

3. Mutual authentication for multiple services (SSO)
4. Software requirements to install the application on the PC
5. Connection types to enable synchronization

Networking - 20%

Compare and contrast TCP and UDP ports, protocols, and their purposes. 1. Ports and protocols
  • 21 – FTP
  • 22 – SSH
  • 23 – Telnet
  • 25 – SMTP
  • 53 – DNS
  • 80 – HTTP
  • 110 – POP3
  • 143 – IMAP
  • 443 – HTTPS
  • 3389 – RDP
  • 137-139 – NetBIOS/NetBT
  • 445 – SMB/CIFS
  • 427 – SLP
  • 548 – AFP
  • 67/68 – DHCP
  • 389 – LDAP
  • 161/162 – SNMP

2. TCP vs. UDP

Compare and contrast common networking hardware devices. 1. Routers
2. Switches
  • Managed
  • Unmanaged

3. Access points
4. Cloud-based network controller
5. Firewall
6. Network interface card
7. Repeater
8. Hub
9. Cable/DSL modem
10. Bridge
11. Patch panel

12. Power over Ethernet (PoE)

  • Injectors
  • Switch

13. Ethernet over Power

Given a scenario, install and configure a basic wired/wireless SOHO network. 1. Router/switch functionality
2. Access point settings
3. IP addressing
4. NIC configuration
  • Wired
  • Wireless

5. End-user device configuration
6. IoT device configuration

  • Thermostat
  • Light switches
  • Security cameras
  • Door locks
  • Voice-enabled, smart speaker/digital assistant

7. Cable/DSL modem configuration
8. Firewall settings

  • Screened subnet (previously known as demilitarized zone)
  • Port forwarding
  • NAT
  • UPnP
  • Allow list/deny list
  • MAC filtering

9. QoS
10. Wireless settings

  • Encryption
  • Channels
Compare and contrast wireless networking protocols. 1. 802.11a
2. 802.11b
3. 802.11g
4. 802.11n
5. 802.11ac
6. Frequencies
  • 2.4Ghz
  • 5Ghz

7. Channels

  • 1–11

8. Bluetooth
9. NFC
10. RFID
11. Zigbee
12. Z-Wave
13. 3G
14. 4G
15. 5G
16. LTE

Summarize the properties and purposes of services provided by networked hosts. 1. Server roles
  • Web server
  • File server
  • Print server
  • DHCP server
  • DNS server
  • Proxy server
  • Mail server
  • Authentication server
  • syslog

2. Internet appliance

  • UTM
  • IDS
  • IPS
  • End-point management server

3. Legacy/embedded systems

Explain common network configuration concepts. 1. IP addressing
  • Static
  • Dynamic
  • APIPA
  • Link local

2. DNS
3. DHCP

  • Reservations

4. IPv4 vs. IPv6
5. Subnet mask
6. Gateway
7. VPN
8. VLAN
9. NAT

Compare and contrast Internet connection types, network types, and their features. 1. Internet connection types
  • Cable
  • DSL
  • Dial-up
  • Fiber
  • Satellite
  • ISDN
  • Cellular
    - Tethering
    - Mobile hotspot
  • Line-of-sight wireless Internet service

2. Network types

  • LAN
  • WAN
  • PAN
  • MAN
  • WMN
Given a scenario, use appropriate networking tools. 1. Crimper
2. Cable stripper
3. Multimeter
4.
Tone generator and probe
5. Cable tester
6. Loopback plug
7. Punchdown tool
8. WiFi analyzer

Hardware - 27%

Explain basic cable types, features, and their purposes. 1. Network cables
  • Ethernet
    - Cat 5
    - Cat 5e
    - Cat 6
    - Plenum
    - Shielded twisted pair
    - Unshielded twisted pair
    - 568A/B
  • Fiber
  • Coaxial
  • Speed and transmission limitations

2. Video cables

  • VGA
  • HDMI
  • Mini-HDMI
  • DisplayPort
  • DVI (DVI-D/DVI-I)

3. Multipurpose cables

  • Lightning
  • Thunderbolt
  • USB
  • USB-C
  • USB 2.0
  • USB 3.0

4. Peripheral cables

  • Serial

5. Hard drive cables

  • SATA
  • IDE
  • SCSI

6. Adapters

  • DVI to HDMI
  • USB to Ethernet
  • DVI to VGA
Identify common connector types. 1. RJ-11
2. RJ-45
3. RS-232
4. BNC
5. RG-59
6. RG-6
7. USB
8. Micro-USB
9. Mini-USB
10. USB-C
11. DB-9
12. Lightning
13. SCSI
14. eSATA
15. Molex
Given a scenario, install RAM types. 1. RAM types
  • SODIMM
  • DDR2
  • DDR3
  • DDR4

2. Single channel
3. Dual channel
4. Triple channel
5. Error correcting
6. Parity vs. non-parity

Given a scenario, select, install and configure storage devices. 1. Optical drives
  • CD-ROM/CD-RW
  • DVD-ROM/DVD-RW/DVD-RW DL
  • Blu-ray
  • BD-R
  • BD-RE

2. Solid-state drives

  • M2 drives
  • NVME
  • SATA 2.5

3. Magnetic hard drives

  • 5,400rpm
  • 7,200rpm
  • 10,000rpm
  • 15,000rpm
  • Sizes:
    - 2.5
    - 3.5

4. Hybrid drives
5. Flash

  • SD card
  • CompactFlash
  • Micro-SD card
  • Mini-SD card
  • xD

6. Configurations

  • RAID 0, 1, 5, 10
  • Hot swappable
Given a scenario, install and configure motherboards, CPUs, and add-on cards. 1. Motherboard form factor
  • ATX
  • mATX
  • ITX
  • mITX

2. Motherboard connectors types

  • PCI
  • PCIe
  • Riser card
  • Socket types
  • SATA
  • IDE
  • Front panel connector
  • Internal USB connector

3. BIOS/UEFI settings

  • Boot options
  • Firmware updates
  • Security settings
  • Interface configurations
  • Security
    1. Passwords
    2. Drive encryption
    - TPM
    - LoJack
    - Secure boot

4. CMOS battery
5. CPU features

  • Single-core
  • Multicore
  • Virtualization
  • Hyperthreading
  • Speeds
  • Overclocking
  • Integrated GPU

6. Compatibility

  • AMD
  • Intel

7. Cooling mechanism

  • Fans
  • Heat sink
  • Liquid
  • Thermal paste

8. Expansion cards

  • Video cards
    - Onboard
    - Add-on card
  • Sound cards
  • Network interface card
  • USB expansion card
  • eSATA card
Explain the purposes and uses of various peripheral types. 1. Printer
2. ADF/flatbed scanner
3. Barcode scanner/QR scanner
4. Monitors
5. VR headset
6. Optical drive types
7. Mouse
8. Keyboard
9. Touchpad
10. Signature pad
11. Game controllers
12. Camera/webcam
13. Microphone
14. Speakers
15. Headset
16. Projector
  • Lumens/brightness

17. External storage drives
18. KVM
19. Magnetic reader/chip reader
20. NFC/tap pay device
21. Smart card reader

Summarize power supply types and features. 1. Input 115V vs. 220V
2. Output 5V vs. 12V
3. 24-pin motherboard adapter
4. Wattage rating
5. Number of devices/types of devices to be powered
Given a scenario, select and configure appropriate components for a custom PC configuration to meet customer specifications or needs. 1. Graphic/CAD/CAM design workstation
  • SSD
  • High-end video
  • Maximum RAM

2. Audio/video editing workstation

  • Specialized audio and video card
  • Large, fast hard drive
  • Dual monitors

3. Virtualization workstation

  • Maximum RAM and CPU cores

4. Gaming PC

  • SSD
  • High-end video/specialized GPU
  • High-definition sound card
  • High-end cooling

5. Network attached storage device

  • Media streaming
  • File sharing
  • Gigabit NIC
  • RAID array
  • Hard drive

6. Standard thick client

  • Desktop applications
  • Meets recommended requirements for selected OS

7. Thin client

  • Basic applications
  • Meets minimum requirements for selected OS
  • Network connectivity
Given a scenario, install and configure common devices. 1. Desktop
  • Thin client
  • Thick client
  • Account setup/settings

2. Laptop/common mobile devices

  • Touchpad configuration
  • Touchscreen configuration
  • Application installations/configurations
  • Synchronization settings
  • Account setup/settings
  • Wireless settings
Given a scenario, configure SOHO multifunction devices/printers and settings. 1. Use appropriate drivers for a given operating system
  1. Configuration settings
    - Duplex
    - Collate
    - Orientation
    - Quality

2. Device sharing

  • Wired
    - USB
    - Serial
    - Ethernet
  • Wireless
    - Bluetooth
    - 802.11(a, b, g, n, ac)
    - Infrastructure vs. ad hoc
  • Integrated print server (hardware)
  • Cloud printing/remote printing

3. Public/shared devices

  • Sharing local/networked device via operating system settings
    - TCP/Bonjour/AirPrint
  • Data privacy
    - User authentication on the device
    - Hard drive caching
Given a scenario, install and maintain various print technologies. 1. Laser
  • Imaging drum, fuser assembly, transfer belt, transfer roller, pickup rollers, separate pads, duplexing assembly
  • Imaging process: processing, charging, exposing, developing, transferring, fusing, and cleaning
  • Maintenance: Replace toner, apply maintenance kit, calibrate, clean

2. Inkjet

  • Ink cartridge, print head, roller, feeder, duplexing assembly, carriage, and belt
  • Calibrate
  • Maintenance: Clean heads, replace cartridges, calibrate, clear jams

3. Thermal

  • Feed assembly, heating element
  • Special thermal paper
  • Maintenance: Replace paper, clean heating element, remove debris

4. Impact

  • Print head, ribbon, tractor feed
  • Impact paper
  • Maintenance: Replace ribbon, replace print head, replace paper

5. Virtual

  • Print to file
  • Print to PDF
  • Print to XPS
  • Print to image

6. 3D printers

  • Plastic filament

Virtualization and Cloud Computing - 12%

Compare and contrast cloud computing concepts. 1. Common cloud models
  • IaaS
  • SaaS
  • PaaS
  • Public vs. private vs. hybrid vs. community

2. Shared resources

  • Internal vs. external

3. Rapid elasticity
4. On-demand
5. Resource pooling
6. Measured service
7. Metered
8. Off-site email applications
9. Cloud file storage services

  • Synchronization apps

10. Virtual application streaming/cloud-based applications

  • Applications for cell phones/tablets
  • Applications for laptops/desktops

11. Virtual desktop

  • Virtual NIC
Given a scenario, set up and configure client-side virtualization. 1. Purpose of virtual machines
2. Resource requirements
3. Emulator requirements
4. Security requirements
5. Network requirements
6. Hypervisor

Hardware and Network Troubleshooting - 27%

Given a scenario, use the best practice methodology to resolve problems. - Always consider corporate policies, procedures, and impacts before implementing changes
1. Identify the problem
  • Question the user and identify user changes to computer and perform backups before making changes
  • Inquire regarding environmental or infrastructure changes
  • Review system and application logs

2. Establish a theory of probable cause (question the obvious)

  • If necessary, conduct external or internal research based on symptoms

3. Test the theory to determine cause

  • Once the theory is confirmed, determine the next steps to resolve problem
  • If theory is not confirmed re-establish new theory or escalate

4. Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and implement the solution
5. Verify full system functionality and, if applicable, implement preventive measures
6. Document findings, actions, and outcomes

Given a scenario, troubleshoot problems related to motherboards, RAM, CPUs, and power. 1. Common symptoms
  • Unexpected shutdowns
  • System lockups
  • POST code beeps
  • Blank screen on bootup
  • BIOS time and setting resets
  • Attempts to boot to incorrect device
  • Continuous reboots
  • No power
  • Overheating
  • Loud noise
  • Intermittent device failure
  • Fans spin – no power to other devices
  • Indicator lights
  • Smoke
  • Burning smell
  • Proprietary crash screens (BSOD/pin wheel)
  • Distended capacitors
  • Log entries and error messages
Given a scenario, troubleshoot hard drives and RAID arrays. 1. Common symptoms
  • Read/write failure
  • Slow performance
  • Loud clicking noise
  • Failure to boot
  • Drive not recognized
  • OS not found
  • RAID not found
  • RAID stops working
  • Proprietary crash screens (BSOD/pin wheel)
  • S.M.A.R.T. errors
Given a scenario, troubleshoot video, projector, and display issues. 1. Common symptoms
  • VGA mode
  • No image on screen
  • Overheat shutdown
  • Dead pixels
  • Artifacts
  • Incorrect color patterns
  • Dim image
  • Flickering image
  • Distorted image
  • Distorted geometry
  • Burn-in
  • Oversized images and icons
Given a scenario, troubleshoot common mobile device issues while adhering to the appropriate procedures. 1. Common symptoms
  • No display
  • Dim display
  • Flickering display
  • Sticking keys
  • Intermittent wireless
  • Battery not charging
  • Ghost cursor/pointer drift
  • No power
  • Num lock indicator lights
  • No wireless connectivity
  • No Bluetooth connectivity
  • Cannot display to external monitor
  • Touchscreen non-responsive
  • Apps not loading
  • Slow performance
  • Unable to decrypt email
  • Extremely short battery life
  • Overheating
  • Frozen system
  • No sound from speakers
  • GPS not functioning
  • Swollen battery

2. Disassembling processes for proper reassembly

  • Document and label cable and screw locations
  • Organize parts
  • Refer to manufacturer resources
  • Use appropriate hand tools
Given a scenario, troubleshoot printers. 1. Common symptoms
  • Streaks
  • Faded prints
  • Ghost images
  • Toner not fused to the paper
  • Creased paper
  • Paper not feeding
  • Paper jam
  • No connectivity
  • Garbled characters on paper
  • Vertical lines on page
  • Backed-up print queue
  • Low memory errors
  • Access denied
  • Printer will not print
  • Color prints in wrong print color
  • Unable to install printer
  • Printing blank pages
  • No image on printer display
  • Multiple failed jobs in logs
Given a scenario, troubleshoot common wired and wireless network problems. 1. Common symptoms
  • Limited connectivity
  • Unavailable resources
    1. Internet
    2. Local resources
    - Shares
    - Printers
    - Email
  • No connectivity
  • APIPA/link local address
  • Intermittent connectivity
  • IP conflict
  • Slow transfer speeds
  • Low RF signal
  • SSID not found

To ensure success in CompTIA A Plus (Core 1) certification exam, we recommend authorized training course, practice test and hands-on experience to prepare for CompTIA A+ (Core 1) (220-1001) exam.

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