CompTIA A+ 220-1201 and 220-1202

Hours: 100 / Access Length: 12 Months / Delivery: Online, Mentor Supported
Retail Price: $2,095.00

Course Overview:

This comprehensive CompTIA A+ course prepares you for both the Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) certification exams. Beyond test preparation, the program focuses on building the demonstrable, hands-on skills that today's employers demand for entry-level IT support positions. Upon completion, you will be able to confidently perform essential duties by applying your knowledge across hardware, software, networking, and security.

Through this training, students will learn to:

• Install, configure, and troubleshoot PC hardware, mobile devices, and printers.
• Install, manage, and secure operating systems like Windows, while also supporting other OS and mobile software.
• Configure network hardware and services, support virtualization and cloud concepts, and implement SOHO network security.
• Apply operational procedures for support, data management, and security.

Course Outline:

CompTIA A+ 220-1201 Curriculum:

Lesson 1: What Does an IT Specialist Do?

You have finally secured a position in information technology (IT), and it begins today! Awesome, but what can you expect of your new position, and what work assignments should you expect each day? Answering the question of what your day-to-day "routine" will be is not an easy one, as different companies utilize technology for different purposes

Lesson 2: Installing Motherboards and Connectors

One of the main roles of a CompTIA A+ technician is to install and configure personal computer (PC) hardware. This hands-on part of the job is what draws many people to a career in information technology (IT) support. As an IT professional, you will set up desktop computers and help end users select a system configuration and peripheral devices that are appropriate to their work. You will often have to connect peripheral devices using the correct cables and connectors and install plug-in adapter cards.

To complete these tasks, you must understand how the peripheral devices and internal PC components are connected via the motherboard. As you may encounter many different environments in your work, you must also be able to distinguish and support both modern and legacy connection interfaces.

Lesson 3: Installing System Devices

The market for computer parts is complicated. There are many types of processors, memory modules, disk drives, and power supplies, each with different features. As a CompTIA A+ technician, you need to understand these features and know how they work together to build a computer that fits specific needs. You also need to solve compatibility problems and be confident in installing and removing these often expensive and delicate parts.

Lesson 4: Troubleshooting PC Hardware

You have recently been hired as an IT support specialist for a large corporation. The company has been experiencing a range of hardware-related issues that are affecting employee productivity. Your task is to diagnose and resolve these issues, ensuring that all desktop, laptop, and client devices are functioning optimally. The problems include system firmware settings, power and disk issues, and system and display problems. Your goal is to systematically troubleshoot and fix these issues. Each lesson will have more specific tasks within this scenario that could be solved with the information found within that lesson.

Lesson 5: Comparing Local Networking Hardware

Network support is a great competency for IT technicians at all levels to possess. In today's environment, standalone computing is a rarity. Just about every digital device on the planet today is connected to external resources via a network, whether it is a small office/home office (SOHO) network, a corporate WAN, or to the Internet directly.

The ability to connect, share, and communicate using a network is crucial for running a business and staying connected to everything in the world. As a CompTIA® A+® support technician, if you understand the technologies that underlie both local and global network communications, you can play an important role in ensuring that the organization you support stays connected.

This module will help you understand how different types of networks are categorized and how to compare and contrast network cabling, hardware, and wireless standards.

Lesson 6: Configuring Network Addressing and Internet Connections

You have just been assigned to work together with two colleagues on a project. The team has worked together before on a few projects, but this is the first time that the three of you are not in the same physical location. John is in Austin, Texas, Evan lives in London, and you are visiting Alice Springs, Australia. This remote location dynamic of the team will require time management from all members but also a reliance on technology solutions to facilitate meetings through a collaboration software application. To make this application work, your system needs to use a network address and several communication protocols. These communication protocols allow for a standard "language" to be used between devices across the Internet.

Several new hardware devices are used to make these Internet-wide communications occur. These include modems and radio antennas to connect to an internet service provider (ISP). The network addressing and forwarding function is performed by router devices and the Internet Protocol (IP).

This lesson will help you to compare the technologies that underpin Internet access and configure the main protocols in the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite that enable communications between networks and the Internet.

Lesson 7: Supporting Network Services

Application protocols implement services such as web browsing, email, and file sharing. As well as computer server roles, modern networks use a variety of Internet security appliances and smart devices. Some networks are integrated with embedded system devices that underpin industrial technologies. While you will not have responsibility for configuring the devices and servers that run these applications, being able to summarize the functions and purposes of server roles will help you assist other technicians.

Being able to summarize the function of protocols up the network stack is also a prerequisite for troubleshooting network issues. When you are diagnosing connectivity problems with a host, you need to determine whether the issue is with a cable or adapter that you can resolve or whether there is a wider network or application server issue that you will need to escalate to senior support staff.

Lesson 8: Summarizing Virtualization and Cloud Concepts

You work at a mid-sized law firm that is transitioning to a more virtualized and cloud-based infrastructure. Your role involves managing client devices, supporting desktop and laptop users, and ensuring the smooth operation of virtualized environments and cloud services. The firm is looking to improve its hardware utilization, enhance security, and provide flexible, scalable solutions for its employees.

Lesson 9: Supporting Mobile Devices

This lesson focuses on mobile devices and how they differ from desktop systems in terms of features, upgrade/repair procedures, and troubleshooting. As a certified CompTIA® A+® technician, you will be expected to configure, maintain, and troubleshoot laptops, smartphones, and tablets. With the proper information and the right skills, you will be ready to support these devices as efficiently as you support their desktop counterparts.

Lesson 10: Supporting Print Devices

You work for a graphic design firm that specializes in creating marketing materials, including brochures, posters, and digital content for various clients. The firm relies heavily on a range of print devices, including multifunction printers, laser printers, inkjet printers, and 3-D printers, to produce high-quality outputs for client presentations and proofs. Your task is to ensure that all print devices are functioning optimally, are well-maintained, and that any issues are quickly resolved to minimize downtime and maintain productivity.

CompTIA A+ 220-1202 Curriculum:

Lesson 1: What Does an IT Specialist Do

You have finally secured a position in information technology (IT), and it begins today! Awesome, but what can you expect of your new position, and what work assignments should you expect each day? Answering the question of what your day-to-day "routine" will be is not an easy one, as different companies utilize technology for different purposes.

Lesson 2: Managing Support Procedures

Support for customers and clients provides an interesting dynamic to working as an IT specialist. Every issue is something new to learn and resolve. While the issues change, the process by which we resolve them should not vary much issue to issue. Imagine you have been assigned to resolve an issue with an employee's laptop. This employee works remotely in another time zone, and you will need to rely on email and phone conversations to work through the troubleshooting steps. Ensuring that you communicate efficiently and effectively will be key to handling the issue as a professional.

As you work through the process, you will also need to ensure you are documenting the steps you have taken and the results of any test you have run. In some cases, the problem will not be resolved in the same day and other team members may need to continue to find a solution after your shift ends. Tracking and documentation of steps taken thus far allows them to continue the process rather than starting all over again with the issue. Understanding which application you are working with and ensuring the correct operating system has been identified will be helpful in finding a resolution as well.

Lesson 3: Configuring Windows

The operating system (OS) is the software that provides a user interface to the computer hardware and provides an environment in which to run software applications and create computer networks. As a professional IT support representative or PC service technician, your job will include installing, configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting personal computer (PC) operating systems.

Before you can perform any of these tasks, you need to understand the basics of what an operating system is, including the various versions, features, components, and technical capabilities. With this knowledge, you can provide effective support for all types of system environments.

In this lesson, you will learn how the basic administrative interfaces for Microsoft® Windows 10® and Microsoft® Windows 11® can be used to configure user and system settings.

Lesson 4: Managing Windows

The rapidly growing e-commerce company you work for is expanding its operations and upgrading its IT infrastructure to handle increased online traffic and improve internal processes. Your role is to ensure that all desktop and laptop devices are configured correctly, maintained efficiently, and securely connected to the network, while also providing support for any technical issues that arise during the transition.

Lesson 5: Supporting Windows

Supporting an operating system is a greater challenge than simply being able to use the various configuration utilities, management consoles, and commands. To support an OS, you must be able to plan the deployment of software, train and assist users, and troubleshoot problems. As well as technical challenges, there are operational and business factors to consider when installing operating systems and third-party software. Troubleshooting requires knowledge of common symptoms and probable causes in addition to being able to use tools to recover a system or data files. This lesson will help prepare you to meet these challenges so that you can play an effective support role.

Lesson 6: Securing Windows

As a CompTIA A+ technician, your duties will include setting up and configuring computers so that they can connect to a network. By installing, configuring, and troubleshooting networking capabilities, you will be able to provide users with the connectivity they need to be able to perform their job duties.

Once you have the computer network up and running, you can start to configure it to provide useful services. File and print sharing are key uses of almost every network. When configuring these resources, you must be aware of potential security issues and understand how to set permissions correctly to ensure that data is only accessible to those users who really should have been authorized to see it.

Along with permissions, you will also need to manage user accounts on networks. Windows networks can use local accounts within workgroups or centralized Active Directory accounts on a domain network. In this lesson, you will learn some basic principles for managing users in both types of environments.

Lesson 7: Installing Operating Systems

A mid-sized healthcare clinic is planning to upgrade its office IT infrastructure. The clinic currently uses a mix of outdated Windows editions and hardware. Your task is to ensure a smooth transition to the latest Windows editions, optimize system performance, and implement efficient installation and upgrade processes across all client devices, ensuring compliance with healthcare industry regulations such as HIPAA.

Lesson 8: Supporting Other OS

You work for a mid-sized educational institution, TechEd Academy, which provides both in-person and online courses. The institution uses a diverse range of operating systems across its computer labs, faculty offices, and student devices, including Linux and macOS. Your role involves ensuring seamless operation, security, and support for these systems, enabling faculty and students to focus on teaching and learning without technical interruptions.

Lesson 9: Configuring SOHO Network Security

As a CompTIA A+ technician, you are in a position to identify potential security issues before they become big problems. By identifying security threats and vulnerabilities, as well as some of the controls that can counteract them, you can help keep your organization's computing resources safe from unauthorized access. In this lesson, you will identify security threats and vulnerabilities, plus some of the logical and physical controls used to mitigate them on SOHO networks.

Lesson 10: Managing Security Settings

Firewalls provide a security border around a network, but this secure border is not sufficient to protect against insider threats, advanced malware, or sophisticated threat-actor tactics and techniques. Most organizations deploy defense in depth controls to ensure that each endpoint— computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet— is deployed in a hardened configuration in terms of both the OS and the web browser software.

Despite best efforts to assess risks and deploy countermeasures, most networks will suffer from security incidents. As an IT specialist, you will need to be able to use best practice methods and tools to identify and eliminate malware and other intrusions to minimize the impact of these incidents.

Lesson 11: Supporting Mobile Software

You work for a logistics and transportation company, which relies heavily on mobile devices for tracking shipments, managing logistics, and communicating with drivers on the road. Recently, the company has experienced several issues with mobile device security and performance, impacting operational efficiency. Your task is to ensure that all mobile devices used by the company are secure, perform optimally, and comply with company policies to maintain smooth logistics operations.

Lesson 12: Using Data Security

As a CompTIA A+ technician, you will usually perform support tasks within the context of a company's operational procedures. These procedures include performing data backups and recovery, handling different types of sensitive data, and even integrating artificial intelligence into the organization's applications and workflows.

This lesson will help you to identify the technologies and best practices that underpin these important procedures.

Lesson 13: Implementing Operational Procedures

Documented procedures for employees and clients to follow ensure that a high level of service is maintained and that processes are completed with consistent outcomes. Having the documentation to support your operations, along with understanding the processes to follow should an incident or disaster occur, can ensure your organization can maintain progress as business needs change. Documentation of your organization's infrastructure ensures that you and your team of IT professionals have an awareness of the assets you are all responsible for. When changes are made to those assets, be it an update for the operating systems or a complete reconfiguration of an equipment rack, all changes should be documented so all team members are aware of the change.

All necessary course materials are included.

Certification(s):

This course prepares students to take the CompTIA A+ 220-1201 and 220-1202 national certification exams.

System Requirements:

Internet Connectivity Requirements:

• Cable, Fiber, DSL, or LEO Satellite (i.e. Starlink) internet with speeds of at least 10mb/sec download and 5mb/sec upload are recommended for the best experience.

NOTE: While cellular hotspots may allow access to our courses, users may experience connectivity issues by trying to access our learning management system.  This is due to the potential high download and upload latency of cellular connections.   Therefore, it is not recommended that students use a cellular hotspot as their primary way of accessing their courses.

Hardware Requirements:

• CPU: 1 GHz or higher
• RAM: 4 GB or higher
• Resolution: 1280 x 720 or higher.  1920x1080 resolution is recommended for the best experience.
• Speakers / Headphones
• Microphone for Webinar or Live Online sessions.

Operating System Requirements:

• Windows 7 or higher.
• Mac OSX 10 or higher.
• Latest Chrome OS
• Latest Linux Distributions
  

NOTE: While we understand that our courses can be viewed on Android and iPhone devices, we do not recommend the use of these devices for our courses. The size of these devices do not provide a good learning environment for students taking online or live online based courses.

Web Browser Requirements:

• Latest Google Chrome is recommended for the best experience.
• Latest Mozilla FireFox
• Latest Microsoft Edge
• Latest Apple Safari

Basic Software Requirements (These are recommendations of software to use):

• Office suite software (Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, or LibreOffice)
• PDF reader program (Adobe Reader, FoxIt)
• Courses may require other software that is described in the above course outline.