CompTIA IT Fundamentals Certification Boot Camp (FC0-U61)

What’s included?

• Authorized Courseware
• Intensive Hands on Skills Development with an Experienced Subject Matter Expert
• Hands-on practice on real Servers and extended lab support 1.800.482.3172
• Examination Vouchers & Onsite Certification Testing- (excluding Adobe and PMP Boot Camps)
• Academy Code of Honor: Test Pass Guarantee
• Optional: Package for Hotel Accommodations, Lunch and Transportation

Curriculum

1.0 IT Concepts and Terminology

1.1 Compare and contrast notational systems.

• Binary
• Hexadecimal
• Decimal
• Data representation
– ASCII
– Unicode

1.2 Compare and contrast fundamental data types and their characteristics.

• Char
• Strings
• Numbers
– Integers
– Floats
• Boolean

1.3 Illustrate the basics of computing and processing.

• Input
• Processing
• Output
• Storage

1.4 Explain the value of data and information. 

• Data and information as assets
• Importance of investing in security
• Relationship of data to creating information
• Intellectual property
– Trademarks
– Copyright
– Patents
• Digital products
• Data-driven business decisions
– Data capture and collection
– Data correlation
– Meaningful reporting

1.5 Compare and contrast common units of measure.

• Storage unit
– Bit
– Byte
– KB
– MB
– GB
– TB
– PB
• Throughput unit
– bps
– Kbps
– Mbps
– Gbps
– Tbps
• Processing speed
– MHz
– GHz

1.6 Explain the troubleshooting methodology.

• Identify the problem
– Gather information
– Duplicate the problem, if possible
– Question users
– Identify symptoms
– Determine if anything has changed
– Approach multiple problems individually
• Research knowledge base/Internet, if applicable
• Establish a theory of probable cause
– Question the obvious
– Consider multiple approaches
– Divide and conquer
• Test the theory to determine the cause
– Once the theory is confirmed (confirmed root cause), determine the next steps to resolve the problem
– If the theory is not confirmed, establish a new theory or escalate
• Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and identify potential effects
• Implement the solution or escalate as necessary
• Verify full system functionality and, if applicable, implement preventive measures
• Document findings/lessons learned, actions, and outcomes

2.0 Infrastructure

2.1 Classify common types of input/output device interfaces.

• Networking
– Wired
– Telephone connector (RJ-11)
– Ethernet connector (RJ-45)
– Wireless
– Bluetooth
– NFC
• Peripheral device
– USB
– FireWire
– Thunderbolt
– Bluetooth
– RF
• Graphic device
– VGA
– HDMI
– DVI
– DisplayPort
– Mini DisplayPort

2.2 Given a scenario, set up and install common peripheral devices to a laptop/PC.

•Devices
– Printer
– Scanner
– Keyboard
– Mouse
– Camera
– External hard drive
– Speakers
– Display
• Installation types
– Plug-and-play vs. driver installation
– Other required steps
– IP-based peripherals
– Web-based configuration steps

2.3 Explain the purpose of common internal computing components.

• Motherboard/system board
• Firmware/BIOS
• RAM
• CPU
– ARM
– Mobile phone
– Tablet
– 32-bit
– Laptop
– Workstation
– Server
– 64-bit
– Laptop
– Workstation
– Server
• Storage
– Hard drive
– SSD
• GPU
• Cooling
• NIC
– Wired vs. wireless
– On-board vs. add-on card

2.4 Compare and contrast common Internet service types.

• Fiber optic
• Cable
• DSL
• Wireless
– Radio frequency
– Satellite
– Cellular

2.5 Compare and contrast storage types.

• Volatile vs. non-volatile
• Local storage types
– RAM
– Hard drive
– Solid state vs. spinning disk
– Optical
– Flash drive
• Local network storage types
– NAS
– File server
• Cloud storage service

2.6 Compare and contrast common computing devices and their purposes.

• Mobile phones
• Tablets
• Laptops
• Workstations
• Servers
• Gaming consoles
• IoT
– Home appliances
– Home automation devices
– Thermostats
– Security systems
– Modern cars
– IP cameras
– Streaming media devices
– Medical devices

2.7 Explain basic networking concepts.

• Basics of network communication
– Basics of packet transmission
– DNS
– URL-to-IP translation
– LAN vs. WAN
• Device addresses
– IP address
– MAC address
• Basic protocols
– HTTP/S
– POP3
– IMAP
– SMTP
• Devices
– Modem
– Router
– Switch
– Access point
– Firewall

2.8 Given a scenario, install, configure and secure a basic wireless network.

• 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
– Older vs. newer standards
– Speed limitations
– Interference and attenuation factors
• Best practices
– Change SSID
– Change default password
– Encrypted vs. unencrypted
– Open
– Captive portal
– WEP
– WPA
– WPA2

3.0 Applications and Software

3.1 Explain the purpose of operating systems.

• Interface between applications and hardware
• Disk management
• Process management/scheduling
– Kill process/end task
• Application management
• Memory management
• Device management
• Access control/protection
• Types of OS
– Mobile device OS
– Workstation OS
– Server OS
– Embedded OS
– Firmware
– Hypervisor (Type 1)

3.2 Compare and contrast components of an operating system.

• File systems and features
– File systems
– NTFS
– FAT32
– HFS
– Ext4
• Features
– Compression
– Encryption
– Permissions
– Journaling
– Limitations
– Naming rules
• File management
– Folders/directories
– File types and extensions
– Permissions
• Services
• Processes
• Drivers
• Utilities
– Task scheduling
• Interfaces
– Console/command line
– GUI

3.3 Explain the purpose and proper use of software. 

• Productivity software
– Word processing software
– Spreadsheet software
– Presentation software
– Web browser
– Visual diagramming software
• Collaboration software
– Email client
– Conferencing software
– Instant messaging software
– Online workspace
– Document sharing
• Business software
– Database software
– Project management software
– Business-specific applications
– Accounting software

3.4 Explain methods of application architecture and delivery models.

• Application delivery methods
– Locally installed
– Network not required
– Application exists locally
– Files saved locally
– Local network hosted
– Network required
– Internet access not required
– Cloud hosted
– Internet access required
– Service required
– Files saved in the cloud
• Application architecture models
– One tier
– Two tier
– Three tier
– n-tier

3.5 Given a scenario, configure and use web browsers.

• Caching/clearing cache
• Deactivate client-side scripting
• Browser add-ons/extensions
– Add
– Remove
– Enable/disable
• Private browsing
• Proxy settings
• Certificates
– Valid
– Invalid
• Popup blockers
• Script blockers
• Compatible browser for application(s)

3.6 Compare and contrast general application concepts and uses.

• Single-platform software
• Cross-platform software
– Compatibility concerns
• Licensing
– Single use
– Group use/site license
– Concurrent license
– Open source vs. proprietary
– Subscription vs. one-time purchase
– Product keys and serial numbers
• Software installation best practices
– Reading instructions
– Reading agreements
– Advanced options

4.0 Software Development Concepts

4.1 Compare and contrast programming language categories. 

• Interpreted
– Scripting languages
– Scripted languages
– Markup languages
• Compiled programming languages
• Query languages
• Assembly language

4.2 Given a scenario, use programming organizational techniques and interpret logic.

• Organizational techniques
– Pseudocode concepts
– Flow-chart concepts
– Sequence
• Logic components
– Branching
– Looping

4.3 Explain the purpose and use of programming concepts.

• Identifiers
– Variables
– Constants
• Containers
– Arrays
– Vectors
• Functions
• Objects
– Properties
– Attributes
– Methods

5.0 Database Fundamentals

5.1 Explain database concepts and the purpose of a database.

• Usage of database
– Create
– Import/input
– Query
– Reports
• Flat file vs. database
– Multiple concurrent users
– Scalability
– Speed
– Variety of data
• Records
• Storage
– Data persistence

5.2 Compare and contrast various database structures.

• Structured vs. semi-structured vs. non-structured
• Relational databases
– Schema
– Tables
– Rows/records
– Fields/columns
– Primary key
– Foreign key
– Constraints
• Non-relational databases
– Key/value databases
– Document databases

5.3 Summarize methods used to interface with databases.

• Relational methods
– Data manipulation
– Select
– Insert
– Delete
– Update
– Data definition
– Create
– Alter
– Drop
– Permissions
• Database access methods
– Direct/manual access
– Programmatic access
– User interface/utility access
– Query/report builders
• Export/import
– Database dump
– Backup

6.0 Security

6.1 Summarize confidentiality, integrity and availability concerns.

• Confidentiality concerns
– Snooping
– Eavesdropping
– Wiretapping
– Social engineering
– Dumpster diving
• Integrity concerns
– Man-in-the-middle
– Replay attack
– Impersonation
– Unauthorized information alteration
• Availability concerns
– Denial of service
– Power outage
– Hardware failure
– Destruction
– Service outage

6.2 Explain methods to secure devices and best practices.

• Securing devices (mobile/workstation)
– Antivirus/Anti-malware
– Host firewall
– Changing default passwords
– Enabling passwords
– Safe browsing practices
– Patching/updates
• Device use best practices
– Software sources
– Validating legitimate sources
– Researching legitimate sources
– OEM websites vs. third-party websites
– Removal of unwanted software
– Removal of unnecessary software
– Removal of malicious software

6.3 Summarize behavioral security concepts.

• Expectations of privacy when using:
– The Internet
– Social networking sites
– Email
– File sharing
– Instant messaging
– Mobile applications
– Desktop software
– Business software
– Corporate network
• Written policies and procedures
• Handling of confidential information
– Passwords
– Personal information
– Customer information
– Company confidential information

6.4 Compare and contrast authentication, authorization, accounting and non-repudiation concepts.

• Authentication
– Single factor
– Multifactor
– Examples of factors
– Password
– PIN
– One-time password
– Software token
– Hardware token
– Biometrics
– Specific location
– Security questions
– Single sign-on
• Authorization
– Permissions
– Least privilege model
– Role-based access
– User account types
– Rule-based access
– Mandatory access controls
– Discretionary access controls
• Accounting
– Logs
– Tracking
– Web browser history
• Non-repudiation
– Video
– Biometrics
– Signature
– Receipt

6.5 Explain password best practices.

• Password length
• Password complexity
• Password history
• Password expiration
• Password reuse across sites
• Password managers
• Password reset process

6.6 Explain common uses of encryption.

• Plain text vs. cipher text
• Data at rest
– File level
– Disk level
– Mobile device
• Data in transit
– Email
– HTTPS
– VPN
– Mobile application

6.7 Explain business continuity concepts.

• Fault tolerance
– Replication
– Redundancy
– Data
– Network
– Power
– Backup considerations
– Data
– File backups
– Critical data
– Database
– OS backups
– Location
– Stored locally
– Cloud storage
– On-site vs. off-site
– Contingency plan
• Disaster recovery
– Data restoration
– Prioritization
– Restoring access