Edward Tetz

To create and configure a Cisco network, you need to know about routers and switches to develop and manage secure Cisco systems. Become acquainted with Cisco network devices and code listings; and find out how to manage static routing and view routing information.OSI model for Cisco networkingWhile you may not use the OSI model every day, you should be familiar with it, specifically when working with Cisco switches and routers (which operate at Layer 2 and Layer 3, respectively).

CompTIA publishes a six-step process related to the troubleshooting process. You will need to understand what they are on your A+ Exam. The six steps are: Identify the problem. Establish a theory of probable cause. Test the theory to determine cause. Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and implement the solution.

One of the most important skills to have as an A+ Certified Professional is the capability of securing Windows systems and networks. And even if you are not working in a networked environment, you can apply these same skills to your customers with home Internet machines. Harden the operating system: Uninstall any software you are not using and stop any services not being used.

You will need to know types of RAID for the A+ Certification Exam. RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) is a method of implementing redundancy (duplicated information) on your hard drives — if one disk fails, the other disk(s) can provide the missing information. There are many different levels of RAID, but the following are the only RAID levels pertinent to the A+ Exam: RAID 0: Disk striping (striped volume).

Wireless networking is a topic you are sure to be tested on when taking the A+ Exam. You are responsible for knowing the wireless standards and the common security steps you should take to help secure a wireless network. Wireless standards Standard Description 802.11a Runs at the 5 GHz frequency range and has a speed of 54 Mbps.

With the massive amount of information you’re required to know for the A+ Exam, there are bound to be a few things that might slip past you. Here’s a quick list of some things you’ll need to know for the A+ Exam that you might have easily forgotten or overlooked: Contrast ratio: A value measuring the brightness of different colors such as white versus black.

When problems arise on a Windows network, you can use the following utilities to do your troubleshooting. Having a clear understanding of all of them will help you on the A+ Exam. ipconfig: Display basic TCP/IP configuration, such as IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway. ipconfig /all: Display TCP/IP settings, including your Media Access Control (MAC) address, domain name system (DNS) server, and lease information.

One of the hardest tasks to perform when troubleshooting a system is fixing a system that will not boot. The A+ Certification exams expect you to be comfortable with the different recovery tools available in Windows. This table reviews popular recovery tools and specifies where you can find the recovery tool — be sure to know these for the A+ Exam.