A+ Core Operating System Technologies Exam
This test needs to be updated with The New exam specifications and standards being implemented.
Below is a summary of the 2003 A+ Operating System Technologies Exam objectives:
Domain 2 Installation, Configuration and Upgrading
2.1 Identify the procedures for installing Windows 9x/Me, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows XP, and bringing the operating system to a basic operational level. Content may include the following:
- Verify hardware compatibility and minimum requirements
- Determine OS installation options
- Installation type (typical, custom, other)
- Network configuration
- File system type
- Dual Boot Support
- Disk preparation order (conceptual disk preparation)
- Start the installation
- Partition
- Format drive
- Run appropriate set up utility
- Setup
- Winnt
- Installation methods
- Bootable CD
- Boot floppy
- Network installation
- Drive Imaging
- Device Driver Configuration
- Load default drivers
- Find updated drivers
- Restore user data files (if applicable)
- Identify common symptoms and problems
2.2 Identify steps to perform an operating system upgrade from Windows 9.x/ME, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows XP. Given an upgrade scenario, choose the appropriate next steps. Content may include the following:
- Upgrade paths available
- Determine correct upgrade startup utility (e.g. WINNT32 vs WINNT)
- Verify hardware compatibility and minimum requirements
- Verify application compatibility
- Apply OS service packs, patches, and updates
- Install additional Windows components
2.3 Identify the basic system boot sequences and boot methods, including the steps to create an emergency boot disk with utilities installed for Windows 9x/Me, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows XP. Content may include the following:
- Boot Sequence
- Files required to boot
- Boot steps (9.x, NT-based)
- Alternative Boot Methods
- Using a Startup disk
- Safe/VGA-only mode
- Last Known Good configuration
- Command Prompt mode
- Booting to a system restore point
- Recovery Console
- Boot.ini switches
- Dual Boot
- Creating Emergency Disks with OS Utilities
- Creating emergency repair disk (ERD)
2.4 Identify procedures for installing/adding a device, including loading, adding, and configuring device drivers, and required software. Content may include the following:
- Device Driver Installation
- Plug and Play (PNP) and non-PNP devices
- Install and configure device drivers
- Install different device drivers
- Manually install a device driver
- Search the Internet for updated device drivers
- Using unsigned drivers (driver signing)
- Install Additional Windows components
- Determine if permissions are adequate for performing the task
2.5 Identify procedures necessary to optimize the operating system and major operating system subsystems. Content may include the following:
- Virtual Memory Management
- Disk Defragmentation
- Files and Buffers
- Caches
- Temporary file management
Domain 4 Networks
4.1 Identify the networking capabilities of Windows. Given configuration parameters, configure the operating system to connect to a network. Content may include the following:
- Configure protocols
- TCP/IP
- Gateway
- Subnet mask
- DNS (and domain suffix)
- WINS
- Static address assignment
- Automatic address assignment (APIPA, DHCP)
- IPX/SPX (NWLink)
- Appletalk
- NetBEUI/ NetBIOS
- Configure Client options
- Microsoft
- Novell
- Verify the configuration
- Understand the use of the following tools
- IPCONFIG.EXE
- WINIPCFG.EXE
- PING
- TRACERT.EXE
- NSLOOKUP.EXE
- Share resources (Understand the capabilities/limitations with each OS version)
- Setting permissions to shared resources
- Network type and network card
4.2 Identify the basic Internet protocols and terminologies. Identify procedures for establishing Internet connectivity. In a given scenario, configure the operating system to connect to and use Internet resources. Content may include the following:
- Protocols and terminologies
- ISP
- TCP/IP
- E-mail (POP, SMTP, IMAP)
- HTML
- HTTP
- HTTPS
- SSL
- Telnet
- FTP
- DNS
- Connectivity technologies
- Dial-up networking
- DSL networking
- ISDN networking
- Cable
- Satellite
- Wireless
- LAN
- Installing and Configuring browsers
- Enable/disable script support
- Configure Proxy Settings
- Configure security settings
- Firewall protection under Windows XP
See also
- A+ Core Hardware Exam