Become a Help Desk Engineer

CompTIA A+ Certification

The CompTIA Network A+ Certification is a standardized operational examination that gauges the skills relevant to Information Technology. Commonly taken by those who want to pursue the field, this certification holds lasting importance as it serves as an advantage in building a career in the IT infrastructure.

Far from other domain-specific certifications, this exam measures the knowledge andcapability to support any network, whatever type of platform that might be. More importantly, it equips exam takers with the necessary expertise in becoming technicians, making it the only IT certification that has encompassing and broad relevance to IT.

About the Course

This 13-part tutorial provides a series of lessons on operating systems. Throughout the lecture, course takers will understand and contextualize the different OS's nature, traits, functions, and overall navigation. It also covers the most significant points by giving a step-by-step process on configuring, operating, installing, and troubleshooting OS properly. In doing so, course takers will be exam-ready and will be able to acquire the CompTIA A+ Certification.

Who is this course for?

While this course is open to anyone who wants to start an IT-related career, the contents are made specifically for professionals with experience in the laboratory or field. Professions listed below may sign up for this course in preparation for the CompTIA A+ exam.

• Technical Support Analyst
• Data Support Technician
• Service Desk Analyst
• Desktop Support Administrator
• End-user Computing Technician
• Associate Network Engineer

Course Prerequisite and Skills to be developed

The prerequisites in taking this tutorial are not strict, only that it requires course takers to have 9-12 months of field and laboratory experience. Equivalent trainings are of great benefit as the course is purely operational and highly technical. While taking this  tutorial, course takers are also expected to demonstrate relevant skills, including:

• Configuration, installation, and upgrade of different operating systems
• Installation of virtual machines
• The assemblage of computer hardware
• Implementation of cyber-security controls
• Troubleshooting end-user access to applications and data

CompTIA A+ Certification Overview

Fundamentals

The introductory part provides a comprehensive discussion of OS fundamentals, such as display types, input devices, and external devices. This also tackles other relevant topics, including control panels, command lines, and windows security settings.

Best Practices

The next part discusses hardware and software tools that are of great importance in being an A+ technician. This will then take course takers to electrical safety, best practices, control, and professionalism to succeed in the field.

PC Components

Both the hardware and software components are the focus of this discussion, with lectures provided to understand technical properties such as CPU sockets, Cache, Cooling systems, and Selection Factors.

Windows and Environments

This lesson talks about virtualization and other relevant concepts. Parsed in six categories, each installment focuses on one element that holds significance with operating systems. Further discussion includes tutorials on using virtual memory, conducting optimization, configuring data editor, and restoring deleted files.

Working with Operating Systems

This section serves as a correlational study about operating systems. Windows, Linux, and macOS were put under a thorough comparison, necessary for course takers to fully understand network connections and problems.

PC Hardware

This subsequent discussion elaborates the broad components discussed in the fourth lesson (PC components), by focusing on hardware alone. The usage and technicalities of BIOS, motherboards, CPUs, and power supplies are presented while giving tips on how to keep them optimal.

H3- Networking Technologies

The focus of this tutorial is the concept of networks and other related variables such as media, cables, and connectors. The lesson holds an authoritative discussion of their usage while providing insights about cross-machine communications.

Computer Networking

This lesson will take course takers through a series of tutorials about wireless and wired networking. Cables, speed requirements, trending network technologies, and cellular networks are studied to comprehend their trait and general usage.

SOHO, Mobile, and Printers

This section deviates a little from the topic as it contextualizes Small Office Home Office. Essential considerations in building SOHO is enumerated, and this will then take a closer look at other types of SOHO-related equipment, including laptops and mobile devices.

Working with Mobile Devices

This section serves as the continuation of the preceding topic, only that it focuses on mobile devices. Essential concepts were put under thorough discussion, including eReaders, wearables, smartphones, and tablets.

Security

The importance of corporate security, incident reports, and other safety-related measures are comprehensively discussed in this section. In addition to this, proper password formulation and other best practices are presented to improve the overall security of the home network. 

Network Security

Divided into three sub-lessons, this tutorial studies network conditions, safety, and harmful variables, including viruses, Trojans, malware, and worms. It then explores other vulnerabilities while providing toolkits and measures to counter them efficiently.

Troubleshooting

Similar to the CompTIA A+ examination, this section also summarizes the whole tutorial by discussing proper troubleshooting techniques. Tips are provided with an end goal of reducing downtime on a home system and networks.