A+ Core 1 (220-1101)
Articles covering CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) exam objectives. These guides focus on mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization, and cloud computing topics essential for the first part of your A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 1.1: Mobile Device Hardware Monitoring and Replacement
Comprehensive guide to monitoring and replacing mobile device hardware components including batteries, keyboards, RAM, storage, wireless cards, biometrics, and more for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 1.2: Mobile Device Accessories and Connectivity
Extremely detailed guide to mobile device connection methods (USB-C, Lightning, NFC, Bluetooth, tethering) and accessories (stylus, headsets, speakers, webcams, docking stations) with technical specifications and troubleshooting procedures.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 1.3: Mobile Device Network Connectivity and Application Support
Comprehensive guide to configuring mobile device network connectivity including wireless/cellular data networks, Bluetooth, location services, MDM, and mobile device synchronization for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 2.1: TCP and UDP Ports, Protocols, and Their Purposes
Comprehensive guide to TCP and UDP protocols, essential network ports (FTP, SSH, SMTP, DNS, DHCP, HTTP, POP3, IMAP, NetBIOS, LDAP, HTTPS, SMB, RDP), and their purposes for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 2.2: Wireless Networking Technologies
Comprehensive guide to wireless networking technologies including frequency bands (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz), channel management, Bluetooth, 802.11 standards, NFC, and RFID for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 2.3: Services Provided by Networked Hosts
Comprehensive guide to networked host services including server roles (DNS, DHCP, file sharing, print servers, mail servers, web servers, AAA, database servers, NTP), internet appliances (spam gateways, UTM, load balancers, proxy servers), and legacy/embedded systems (SCADA, IoT devices) for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 2.4: Explain Common Network Configuration Concepts
Comprehensive guide to network configuration concepts including DNS record types (A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT), email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), DHCP configuration (leases, reservations, scopes, exclusions), VLANs, and VPNs for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 2.5: Compare and Contrast Common Networking Hardware Devices
Comprehensive guide to networking hardware devices including routers, switches (managed/unmanaged), access points, patch panels, firewalls, PoE devices (injectors, switches, standards), internet connection devices (cable modems, DSL, ONT), and NICs with MAC addresses for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 2.6: Configure Basic Wired/Wireless SOHO Networks
Comprehensive guide to configuring SOHO networks with focus on IP addressing concepts including IPv4 (private/public addresses), IPv6, APIPA, static/dynamic addressing, subnet masks, and network configuration best practices for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 2.7: Compare and Contrast Internet Connection Types, Network Types, and Their Characteristics
Comprehensive guide to internet connection types (satellite, fiber, cable, DSL, cellular, WISP) and network types (LAN, WAN, PAN, MAN, SAN, WLAN) with detailed comparisons of characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, and use cases for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 2.8: Explain Networking Tools and Their Purposes
Comprehensive guide to essential networking tools including crimpers, cable strippers, Wi-Fi analyzers, toner probes, punchdown tools, cable testers, and loopback plugs with detailed explanations of purposes, usage, and best practices for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 3.1: Compare and Contrast Display Components and Attributes
Comprehensive guide to display technologies including LCD types (IPS, TN, VA), OLED, Mini-LED, touch screen/digitizer components, inverters, and display attributes like pixel density, refresh rates, and screen resolution for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 3.2: Summarize Basic Cable Types and Their Connectors, Features, and Purposes
Comprehensive guide to cable types including network cables (copper categories, coaxial, twisted pair, optical), peripheral cables (USB, serial, Thunderbolt), video cables (HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, VGA, USB-C), hard drive cables (SATA, eSATA), and connector types (RJ11, RJ45, F-type, fiber connectors, etc.) for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 3.3: Compare and Contrast RAM Characteristics
Comprehensive guide to RAM characteristics including form factors (SODIMM vs DIMM), Double Data Rate (DDR) iterations (DDR through DDR5), Error-correcting code (ECC) vs non-ECC RAM, and channel configurations (single, dual, quad channel) for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 3.4: Compare and Contrast Storage Devices
Comprehensive guide to storage devices including hard drives (spindle speeds, form factors), solid-state drives (NVMe, SATA, PCIe, SAS interfaces and M.2, mSATA form factors), drive configurations (RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10), and removable storage (flash drives, memory cards, optical drives) for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 3.5: Install and Configure Motherboards, CPUs, and Add-on Cards
Comprehensive guide to motherboard form factors (ATX, microATX, ITX), connector types (PCI, PCIe, SATA, M.2), CPU socket types (AMD, Intel), BIOS/UEFI settings, virtualization support, encryption features, CPU architectures (x86/x64, ARM), expansion cards, and cooling solutions for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 3.6: Install the Appropriate Power Supply
Comprehensive guide to power supply selection and installation including input voltage requirements (110-120 VAC vs 220-240 VAC), output voltages (3.3V, 5V, 12V), motherboard connectors (20+4 pin), redundant power supplies, modular power supplies, wattage ratings, and energy efficiency standards for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 3.7: Deploy and Configure Multifunction Devices/Printers and Settings
Comprehensive guide to multifunction device and printer deployment including proper unboxing and setup, driver selection (PCL vs PostScript), firmware management, connectivity options (USB, Ethernet, Wireless), public/shared device configuration, print settings, security features, network scan services, and scanner types for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 3.8: Perform Appropriate Printer Maintenance
Comprehensive guide to printer maintenance procedures for different printer types including laser printers (toner replacement, maintenance kits, calibration, cleaning), inkjet printers (cartridge replacement, printhead maintenance, roller/feeder care, jam clearing), thermal printers (feed assembly, thermal paper, heating element maintenance), and impact printers (multipart paper, ribbon/printhead replacement) for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 4.1: Explain Virtualization Concepts
Comprehensive guide to virtualization concepts including the purpose of virtual machines (sandbox, test development, application virtualization), requirements (security, network, storage), desktop virtualization (VDI), containers, and hypervisors (Type 1 and Type 2) for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 4.2: Summarize Cloud Computing Concepts
Comprehensive guide to cloud computing concepts including common cloud models (private, public, hybrid, community clouds and IaaS, SaaS, PaaS), and cloud characteristics (shared vs dedicated resources, metered utilization, elasticity, availability, file synchronization, multitenancy) for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 5.1: Troubleshoot Motherboards, RAM, CPUs, and Power
Comprehensive guide to hardware troubleshooting including POST beeps, proprietary crash screens, blank screens, power problems, performance issues, overheating, burning smells, random shutdowns, application crashes, unusual noises, capacitor swelling, and system date/time inaccuracies for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 5.2: Given a Scenario, Troubleshoot Drive and RAID Issues
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting drive and RAID issues including LED status indicators, grinding noises, clicking sounds, bootable device not found, data loss/corruption, RAID failure, S.M.A.R.T. failure, extended read/write times, low performance IOPS, missing drives in OS, array missing, and audible alarms for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 5.3: Given a Scenario, Troubleshoot Video, Projector, and Display Issues
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting video, projector, and display issues including incorrect input source, physical cabling issues, burnt-out bulb, fuzzy image, display burn-in, dead pixels, flashing screen, incorrect color display, audio issues, dim image, intermittent projector shutdown, sizing issues, and distorted image for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 5.4: Given a Scenario, Troubleshoot Common Mobile Device Issues
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting common mobile device issues including poor battery health, swollen battery, broken screen, improper charging, poor/no connectivity, liquid damage, overheating, digitizer issues, physically damaged ports, malware, cursor drift/touch calibration, unable to install new applications, stylus does not work, and degraded performance for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 5.5: Given a Scenario, Troubleshoot Network Issues
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting network issues including intermittent wireless connectivity, slow network speeds, limited connectivity, jitter, poor VoIP quality, port flapping, high latency, external interference, authentication failures, and intermittent internet connectivity for CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA A+ 1201 Objective 5.6: Given a Scenario, Troubleshoot Printer Issues
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting printer issues including lines down printed pages, garbled print, paper jams, faded prints, paper not feeding, multipage misfeed, multiple prints pending in queue, speckling on printed pages, double/echo images, grinding noise, finishing issues (staple jams, hole punch), incorrect page orientation, tray not recognized, connectivity issues, and frozen print queue for CompTIA A+ certification.