CompTIA ITF+ Exam Objectives Cheat Sheet

1.1 Compare and contrast notational systems.

Binary	Data type support 1-bit storage, representing FALSE and TRUE
	Boolean logic is a statement that resolves to a true or false condition and underpins the branching and looping features of computer code.
Hexadecimal	Notational system with 16 values per digit. Values above 9 are represented by the letters A,B,C,D,E,F.
	Hex is a compact way of referring to long byte values, such as MAC and IPv6 addresses.
Float	Data type supporting storage of floating point numbers (decimal fractions).
ASCII	7-bit code page mapping binary values to character glyphs
	Standard ASCII can represent 127 characters, though some values are reserved for non-printing control characters.
Unicode	Extensible system of code pages capable of representing millions of character glyphs, allowing for international alphabets.

1.2 Data types and their characteristics

Char	Data type supporting storage of a single character.
String	Data type supporting storage of a variable length series of characters.
Integer	Data type supporting storage of whole numbers.
Float	Data type supporting storage of floating point numbers (decimal fractions).
Boolean	Data type support 1-bit storage, representing FALSE and TRUE
	Boolean logic is a statement that resolves to a true or false condition and underpins the branching and looping features of computer code.

1.3 Basics of computing and processing.

Input	the computer receives data entered by the user through peripheral devices, such as mice, keyboards, scanners, cameras, and microphones.
Processing	the data is written to memory and manipulated by the CPU, acting on instructions from the operating system and applications software.
Output	the processed data is shown or played to the user through an output device, such as a monitor or loudspeaker system.
Storage	the data may be written to different types of storage devices, such as hard disks or optical discs, because data stored in most types of system memory is only preserved while the computer is powered on.
Additionally, most computers are configured in networks, allowing them to exchange data. You can think of networking as a special class of input and output, but it is probably more helpful to conceive of it as a separate function.

1.4 Vallue of data and information

Data and information as assets	For organisations, computer data can be considered an asset
	An asset is something of commercial value
Investing in security	A mechanism designed to protect an information asset or processing system is called a security control
	they are designed to prevent, deter, detect, and/or recover from attempts to view or modify data without authorization.
	can be costly, both in terms of purchasing hardware and software and in terms of more complex procedures and staff training.
Return on Security Investment (ROSI)	This is the calculation made for the case of investing in security.
	This is done by performing risk assessments to work out how much the loss of data would cost and how likely it is that data loss might occur.
	The use of security controls should reuce the impact and likelihood of losses, justifying the investment made
Security Controls
Backup	ensure that you maintain copies of your data and that these copies can be quickly and easily accessed when necessary.
Access control	The control of access to stored data via:
	Permissions	assign permissions on data files to users and groups of users.
	Usage restrictions	use rights management software to control what users can do with data files
	Data encryption	data is encoded in some way that only a person with the correct key can read it

1.5 Common units of measure.

Data storage Units	The fundamental unit of data storage is the bit (binary digit) which can represent 1 or 0
	Bit	basic unit of computer data
		can represent two values (zero or one)
	Byte	8 bits
		The first multiple of bits
	Double byte	16 bits
	KiloByte (KB)	1000 bytes
		(or 103 or 101010 bytes)
		Small files are often measured in KB.
	MegaByte (MB)	1000 KB
		1000*1000 bytes
		(or 1,000,000 bytes)
		Many files would be measured in megabytes.
	GigaByte (GB)	1000 MB
		100010001000 bytes
		(1,000,000,000 bytes)
		Gigabytes are usually used to talk about disk capacity.
	TeraByte (TB)	1000 GB
		(1,000,000,000,000 bytes)
		ome individual disk units might be 1 or 2 terabytes but these units are usually used to describe large storage networks.
	PetaByte (PB)	1000 TB
		or 1015 bytes (1,000,000,000,000,000 bytes)
		The largest storage networks and cloud systems would have petabytes of capacity.
Throughput Rate Units/Transfer Rate	rate that a particular connection can sustain is measured in bits per second (bps)
	The amount of data that can be transferred over a network connection in a given amount of time, typically measured in bits or bytes per second (or some more suitable multiple thereof).
	described variously as data rate, bit rate, connection speed, transmission speed, or (sometimes inaccurately) bandwidth or baud
	often quoted as the peak, maximum, theoretical value; sustained, actual throughput is often considerably less.
	Kbps (or Kb/s)	1000 bits per second
		Older computer peripheral interfaces (or buses) and slow network links would be measured in Kbps.
	Mbps (or Mb/s)	1000Kbps
		1,000,000 bits per second.
		Many internal computer interfaces have throughputs measured in Mbps
		Wireless networks and residential Internet links also typically have this sort of throughput.
	Gbps (or Gb/s)	1000Mpbs
		1,000,000,000 bits per second
		The latest PC bus standards and networks can support this higher level of throughput.
	Tbps (or Tb/s)	1000Gbps
		1,000,000,000,000 bits per second
		This sort of capacity is found in major telecommunications links between data centers, cities, and countries.
Throughput units are always base 10.
Processing Speed Units	A computer's internal clock and the speed at which its processors work is measured in units of time called Hertz (Hz). 1 Hz represents one cycle per second.
	Megahertz (MHz)	1 million (1,000,000) cycles per second.
		Older PC bus interfaces and many types of network interfaces work at this slower signaling speed.
	Gigahertz (GHz)	1000 million (1,000,000,000) cycles per second.
		Modern CPUs and bus types plus fiber-optic network equipment work at these much faster speeds.

1.6 Explain the troubleshooting methodology.

Troubleshooting is a process of problem solving. It is important to realize that problems have causes, symptoms, and consequences. For example:
CompTIA Troubleshooting Model
1. Identify the problem:	Gather information.
	Duplicate the problem(observe as it occurs. via remote desktop, lab system or VM)
	Question users (how, when, who, changes)
	Identify symptoms.
	Determine if anything has changed.
	Approach multiple problems individually. - if problems related, treat each as a separate case. if related, check for outstanding support or maintenance tickets.)
2. Research knowledge base/Internet	observe in operation via remote desktop or in-person
	View system, application, or network log files.
	Monitor other support requests to identify similar problems
Understanding the Problem	determine a theory of probable cause from analysis of the symptoms
3. Establish a theory of probable cause	Question the obvious.
	Step through the process of using the system or application making sure that you verify even the simplest steps by questioning the obvious
	Consider multiple approaches.
	Divide and conquer( Using tests to helps you more quickly identify probable causes.)
	Workarounds (provides a way for the user to continue to work with the system)
4. Test the theory to determine 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 root cause for the problem
5. Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and identify potential effects.	establish a plan of action to eliminate the root cause without destabilizing some other part of the system.
	Repair	you need to determine whether the cost of repair/time taken to reconfigure something makes this the best option.
	Replace	often more expensive and may be time-consuming if a part is not available. There may also be an opportunity to upgrade the device or software.
	Ignore	as any software developer will tell you, not all problems are critical. If neither repair nor replace is cost-effective, it may be best either to find a workaround or just to document the issue and move on.
6.Implement the solution or escalate as necessary.	Your plan of action should contain the detailed steps and resources required to implement the solution. As well as these practical steps, you have to consider the issue of authorization
	If applying the solution is disruptive to the wider network, you also need to consider the most appropriate time to schedule the reconfiguration work and plan how to notify other network users.
7. Verify full system functionality and, if applicable, implement preventive measures.	identify the results and effects of the solution
	Ensure that you were right and that the problem is resolved
	Restate what the problem was and how it was resolved then confirm with the customer that the incident log can be closed.
	To fully solve the root cause of a problem, you should try to eliminate any factors that may cause the problem to recur.
6. Document findings/lessons learned, actions and outcomes.	it is important that information about the problem, tests performed, and attempted resolutions are recorded
	when a problem is resolved, a complete record exists documenting the symptoms, possible causes investigated, and the ultimate resolution

2.1 types of input/output device interfaces

Networking
Wired
RJ (Registered Jack) Connector	Ethernet Connector	used for twisted pair cabling. 4-pair network cabling uses the larger RJ-45 connector.
	Modem/telephone	2=pair cabling uses the RJ-11 connector.
Wireless
Bluetooth	Short-range radio-based technology, working at up to 10m (30 feet) at up to 1 Mbps used to connect peripherals (such as mice, keyboards, and printers) and for communication between two devices (such as a laptop and smartphone).
	The advantage of radio-based signals is that devices do not need line-of-sight, though the signals can still be blocked by thick walls and metal and can suffer from interference from other radio sources operating at the same frequency (2.4 GHz)
	Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is designed for small battery-powered devices that transmit small amounts of data infrequently
	BLE is not backwards-compatible with "classic" Bluetooth though a device can support both standards simultaneously.
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)	A chip allowing data to be read wirelessly.
NFC (Nearfield Communications)	Standard for peer-to-peer (2-way) radio communications over very short (around 4") distances, facilitating contactless payment and similar technologies.
	NFC is based on RFID.
Peripheral devices
USB (Universal Serial Bus)	USB permits the connection of up to 127 different peripherals. A larger Type A connector attaches to a port on the host; Type B and Mini- or Micro- Type B connectors are used for devices.
	USB 1.1 supports 12 Mbps while USB 2.0 supports 480 Mbps and is backward compatible with 1.1 devices (which run at the slower speed).
	USB devices are hot swappable.	(Hot swappable: a device that can be added or removed without having to restart the operating system)
	A device can draw up to 2.5W power.
	USB 3.0 defines a 4.8 Gbps SuperSpeed rate and can deliver 4.5W power.
Firewire (IEEE 1394 Standard)	This serial SCSI bus standard supports high data rates (up to 400 Mbps) and this in turn, makes it attractive for applications requiring intensive data transfer (such as video cameras, satellite receivers, and digital media players).
	Firewire is the brand name for the IEEE standard 1394.
Thunderbolt	interface was developed by Intel and is primarily used on Apple workstations and laptops.
	can be used as a display interface (like DisplayPort) and as a general peripheral interface (like USB 3).
Graphic Devices
VGA (Video Graphics Array) Connector	A 15-pin HD connector has been used to connect the graphics adapter to a monitor since 1987.
HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface)	High-specification digital connector for audio-video equipment.
Digital Visual Interface (DVI)	high-quality digital interface designed for flat-panel display equipment.
	Single- or dual-link—dual-link makes more bandwidth available. This may be required for resolutions better than HDTV (1920x1200).
	Analog and/or digital—DVI-I supports analog equipment (such as CRTs) and digital. DVI-A supports only analog equipment, and DVI-D supports only digital.
	DVI has been superseded by HDMI and DisplayPort/Thunderbolt but was very widely used on graphics adapters and computer displays.
DisplayPort	royalty-free standard intended to "complement" HDMI.
	uses a 20-pin connector.
	A DP++ port allows a connection with DVI-D and HDMI devices (using a suitable adapter cable)
mini DisplayPort format (MiniDP or mDP)	developed by Apple and licensed to other vendors.
	uses the same physical interface as Thunderbolt

2.2 Set up peripherals

Plug-and-Play (PnP)	A Plug-and-Play system (comprising a compatible BIOS, operating system, and hardware) is self-configuring.
Mouse	A mouse can be interfaced using a PS/2, USB, or wireless (IrDA or Bluetooth) port.
	Optical mouse—this uses LEDs to detect movement over a surface.
	Laser mouse—this uses an infrared laser, which gives greater precision than an optical mouse.
	essential device to implement a WIMP GUI, a mouse simply controls the movement of a cursor that can be used to select objects from the screen.
	also feature a scroll wheel.
	All Windows mice feature two click buttons, which are configured to perform different actions.
	A standard mouse does not need a special driver installing and basic settings can be configured using the Mouse applet in Control Panel/Settings
	many different designs and layouts for different countries. Some keyboards feature special keys.
Keyboard	Desktop keyboards can have PS/2, USB, or wireless (IrDA or Bluetooth) interfaces
	to access and configure extra buttons on some mice you will need to install the manufacturer's driver.
	When a hardware device is added or removed, the operating system detects the change and automatically installs the appropriate drivers
	use the Keyboard applet in Control Panel to configure it.
Keyboard Regionalization	can vary from country to country
	type of keyboard layout is configured through the Language applet in Control Panel/Setting
	key combo (START+SPACEBAR in Windows 10) can be used to switch between the different layouts(if enabled)

2.3 Internal computing components

Motherboard	provides the basic foundation for all of the computer's hardware including the processor, RAM, BIOS, and expansion cards.
BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)	The BIOS is firmware that contains programs and information relating to the basic operation of PC components such as drives, keyboard, video display, and ports.
	It also contains specific routines to allow set-up configuration to be viewed and edited and it contains the self-diagnostic Power-On Self-Test (POST) program used to detect fundamental faults in PC components
	BIOS can also be used to secure components not protected by the OS by specifying a supervisor password (to prevent tampering with BIOS settings) and a user password (to boot the PC).
RAM (Random Access Memory)	Random Access Memory is the principal storage space for computer data and program instructions
	RAM is generally described as being volatile in the sense that once power has been removed or the computer has been rebooted, data is lost.
ARM (Advanced RISC Machines)	Designer of CPU and chipset architectures widely used in mobile devices.
	RISC stands for Reduced Instruction Set Computing.
	RISC microarchitectures use simple instructions processed very quickly
	This contrasts with Complex (CISC) microarchitectures, which use more powerful instructions but process each one more slowly.
32-bit versus 64-bit	Processing modes referring to the size of each instruction processed by the CPU. 32-bit CPUs replaced earlier 16-bit CPUs and were used through the 1990s to the present day, though most CPUs now work in 64-bit mode.
	The main 64-bit platform is called AMD64 or EM64T (by Intel)
	This platform is supported by 64-bit versions of Windows as well as various Linux distributions
	Software can be compiled as 32-bit or 64-bit. 64-bit CPUs can run most 32-bit software but a 32-bit CPU cannot execute 64-bit software.
HDD (Hard Disk Drive)	High capacity units typically providing persistent mass storage for a PC (saving data when the computer is turned off).
	Data is stored using platters with a magnetic coating that are spun under disk heads that can read and write to locations on each platter (sectors)
	A HDD installed within a PC is referred to as the fixed disksA HDD installed within a PC is referred to as the fixed disks
	HDDs are often used with enclosures as portable storage or as Network Attached Storage (NAS).HDDs are often used with enclosures as portable storage or as Network Attached Storage (NAS).
SD (Secure Digital) CardSD (Secure Digital) Card	One of the first types of flash memory card.
Solid State Drive (SSD)	use a type of transistor-based memory called flash memory and are much faster than HDDs.
Cooling Device	A CPU generates a large amount of heat that must be dissipated to prevent damage to the chip
	Generally, a CPU will be fitted with a heatsink (a metal block with fins) and fan
	Thermal compound is used at the contact point between the chip and the heatsink to ensure good heat transfer.
	The PSU also incorporates a fan to expel warm air from the system.
	Modern motherboards have temperature sensors that provide warning of overheating before damage can occur.
	Very high performance or overclocked systems or systems designed for quiet operation may require more sophisticated cooling systems, such as liquid cooling.
	Cooling systems that work without electricity are described as passive; those requiring a power source are classed as active.
Liquid Cooling System	Using water piped around the PC and heatsinks for cooling.
	This is more efficient and allows for fewer fans and less noise.
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)	display functions are often performed by a dedicated processor
	Displays high-resolution images that requires a lot of processing power, especially if the image changes rapidly, as with video, or uses complicated 3D and texture effects, as with computer games.
Video Card	Provides the interface between the graphics components of the computer and the display device.
	A number of connectors may be provided for the display, including VGA, DVI, and HDMI.
	Graphics adapters receive information from the microprocessor and store this data in video RAM.
	An adapter may support both analog and digital outputs or analog/digital only (as most LCDs use digital inputs the use of analog outputs is declining).
	Most adapters come with their own processor (Graphics Processing Unit [GPU]) and onboard memory.
Network Adapter (NIC [Network Interface Card])	The network adapter allows a physical connection between the host and the transmission media
	A NIC can address other cards and can recognize data that is destined for it, using a unique address known as the Media Access Control (MAC) address
	The card also performs error checking. Network cards are designed for specific types of networks and do not work on different network products.
	Different adapters may also support different connection speeds and connector types.

2.4 Internet service types.

Fiber Optic	perform much better over long distances and are not affected by noise in the way that electrical signals over copper cable are.
Fiber to the Home (FTTH)	providing a fiber cable all the way to customer premises
	requires substantial investment by the telecom providers and is not widely available.
Fiber to the Curb (FTTC)	a compromise solution widely deployed in urban and some rural areas.
	provider has installed a fiber network terminating at a cabinet somewhere in a nearby street
	Each residence is connected to the fiber network over the ordinary copper telephone cabling using Very High Bit Rate DSL (VDSL)
Very High Bit Rate DSL (VDSL)	VDSL supports a downlink of up to 52 Mbps and an uplink of 16 Mbps at a distance of up to about 300m.
	VDSL2 also specifies a very short range (100m/300 feet) rate of 100 Mbps (bi-directional).
	The VDSL Internet modem/router is connected in much the same way as an ADSL modem/router.
Cable (Hybrid Fiber Coax)	usually provided as part of a Cable Access TV (CATV) service
	These networks are often described as Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) as they combine a fiber optic core network with coax links to customer premises equipment
	Coax is another type of copper cable but manufactured in a different way to twisted pair.
	The cable modem or modem/router is interfaced to the computer through an Ethernet adapter and to the cable network by a short segment of coax, terminated using an F-connector.
	Cable based on the Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) version 3.0 supports downlink speeds of up to about 1.2 Gbps.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)	one of the most popular SOHO Internet service types.
	works over an ordinary telephone line, providing the line is of sufficient quality
	modem/router is connected to the telephone line using a cable with RJ-11 connectors between the WAN port on the router and the telephone point
	Data is transferred over the line using the high frequency ranges that voice calls don't need to use.
ADSL (Asymmetric DSL)	the uplink (up to about 1.4 Mbps) is slower than the downlink (up to about 24 Mbps)
	The speeds achievable rely heavily on the quality of the telephone wiring and the distance to the local telephone exchange.
	The maximum supported distance is about three miles.
RF (Radio Frequency)	Radio waves propagate at different frequencies and wavelengths.
	Wi-Fi network products typically work at 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz
Satellite	System of microwave transmissions where orbital satellites relay signals between terrestrial receivers or other orbital satellites.
	Satellite internet connectivity is enabled through a reception antenna connected to the PC or network through a DVB-S modem.
Cellular Radio	data connections use radio transmissions but at greater range than Wi-Fi.
	more closely associated with Internet access for cell phones and smartphones than with computers.
	makes a connection using the nearest available transmitter (cell or base station).
	ach base station has an effective range of up to 5 miles (8 km)
	The transmitter connects the phone to the mobile and public switched telephone networks (PSTN)
	Cellular radio works in the 850 and 1900 MHz frequency bands (mostly in the Americas) and the 900 and 1800 MHz bands (rest of the world).
LTE (Long Term Evolution)	LTE is the cellular providers (3GPP) upgrade to 3G technologies such as W-CDMA and HSPA
	LTE Advanced is designed to provide 4G standard network access.
	developed in two competing formats, established in different markets:	GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication)-allows subscribers to use a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card
		TIA/EIA IS-95 (cdmaOne)-based handsets. managed by the provider not the SIM. CDMA adoption is largely restricted to the telecom providers Sprint and Verizon.

2.5 Storage types.

Volatile Memory	stores data and computer programs that the CPU may need in real-time, and it erases them once a user switches off the computer.
	Dynamic RAM
	RAM(Random Access Memory)
	Cache
Non-Volatile Memory	Static memory - remains in a computer even after a user switches it off.
	HDD
	SSD
Local Storage Types:
RAM (Random Access Memory)	Random Access Memory is the principal storage space for computer data and program instructions.
	RAM is generally described as being volatile in the sense that once power has been removed or the computer has been rebooted, data is lost.
DRAM (Dynamic RAM)	Dynamic RAM is a type of volatile memory that stores data in the form of electronic charges within transistors
	Due to the effects of leakage and the subsequent loss of electrical charge, DRAM has to be refreshed at regular intervals.
	Memory refreshing can be performed when the data bits are accessed regularly, but this periodic access slows down the operation of this memory type.
	Standard DRAM is the lowest common denominator of the DRAM types.
	Modern PCs use a DRAM derivative to store data (currently DDR2/3 SDRAM).
DDR SDRAM (Double Data Rate SDRAM)	Standard for SDRAM where data is transferred twice per clock cycle (making the maximum data rate [64+64] x the bus speed in bps).
	DDR2/DDR3 SDRAM uses lower voltage chips and higher bus speeds
Flash Memory	Flash RAM is similar to a ROM chip in that it retains information even when power is removed, but it adds flexibility in that it can be reprogrammed with new contents quickly.
	has found a popular role in USB thumb drives and memory cards.
	These tiny cards can provide removable, megabyte or gigabyte storage for devices such as digital cameras.
	Other evolving uses of flash memory are in Solid State Drives (SSD), designed to replicate the function of hard drives, and hybrid drives (standard hard drives with a multigigabyte flash memory cache).
Blu-ray (Optical)	Latest generation of optical drive technology, with disc capacity of 25 GB per layer
	Transfer rates are measured in multiples of 36 MBps.
CD-ROM (Compact Disc - Read Only Memory) (Optical)	optical storage technology
	The discs can normally hold 700 MB of data or 80 minutes of audio data
	useful for archiving material
	Unlike magnetic media, the data on the disc cannot be changed (assuming that the disc is closed to prevent further rewriting in the case of RW media)
	This makes them useful for preserving tamper-proof records
UDF (Universal Disk Format)	File system used for optical media, replacing CDFS (ISO 9660).
Removable Media	In order to share files and programs, computers can either be connected to each other (across a direct link or via a network) or must be able store and retrieve files from an interim storage medium
	The most common types of removable media are floppy disks and optical discs
	However the term "removable media" also covers tape drives, high capacity disks, and removable hard drives
HDD (Hard Disk Drive)(Static)	High capacity units typically providing persistent mass storage for a PC (saving data when the computer is turned off)
	Data is stored using platters with a magnetic coating that are spun under disk heads that can read and write to locations on each platter (sectors)
	A HDD installed within a PC is referred to as the fixed disks. HDDs are often used with enclosures as portable storage or as Network Attached Storage (NAS)
SSD (solid-state drive)	non-volatile storage media stores persistent data on solid-state flash memory
	significantly faster
	With an SSD, the device's operating system will boot up more rapidly, programs will load quicker and files can be saved faster.
	has no moving parts to break or spin up or down. The two key components in an SSD are the flash controller and NAND flash memory chips.
	read and write data to an underlying set of interconnected flash memory chips. These chips use floating gate transistors (FGTs) to hold an electrical charge, which enables the SSD to store data even when it is not connected to a power source. Each FGT contains a single bit of data, designated either as a 1 for a charged cell or a 0 if the cell has no electrical charge.
NAS (Network Attached Storage)	a storage device with an embedded OS that supports typical network file access protocols (TCP/IP and SMB for instance).
	These may be subject to exploit attacks (though using an embedded OS is often thought of as more secure as it exposes a smaller attack "footprint").
	The unauthorized connection of such devices to the network is also a concern.
File Server	In file server based networks, a central machine(s) provides dedicated file and print services to workstations.
	Benefits of server-based networks include ease of administration through centralization.
Cloud Computing	Any environment where software (Software as a Service and Platform as a Service) or computer/network resources (Infrastructure as a Service and Network as a Service) are provided to an end user who has no knowledge of or responsibility for how the service is provided.
	provide elasticity of resources and pay-per-use charging models.
	Cloud access arrangements can be public, hosted private, or private (this type of cloud could be onsite or offsite relative to the other business units).
Cloud-based Storage	There are also business-oriented solutions, such as DropBox and Amazon
	These services are typically operated with a browser or smartphone/tablet app.
	In Windows 10, a cloud storage client (OneDrive) is built into the OS and can be accessed via File Explorer.

2.6 Computing devices and their purposes

Mobile Device	Portable phones and smart phones can be used to interface with workstations using technologies such as Bluetooth or USB.
	As such, they are increasingly the focus of viruses and other malware
	Portable devices storing valuable information are a considerable security risk when taken offsite.
Tablet	A type of ultra-portable laptop with a touchscreen
	usually based on form factors with either 7" or 10" screens
	A phablet is a smaller device (like a large smartphone).
Laptop/Notebook	portable computer offering similar functionality to a desktop computer
	comes with built-in LCD screens and input devices (keyboard and touchpad)
	can be powered from building power (via an AC Adapter) or by a battery
	Peripheral devices can be connected via USB, PCMCIA, or ExpressCard adapters.
Workstation	type of PC is housed in a case that can sit on or under a desk
	often referred to as desktop PCs or just as desktops
Server	provides shared resources on the network and allows clients to access this information.
	The advantage of a server-based system is that resources can be administered and secured centrally.
	must be kept secure by careful configuration (running only necessary services) and maintenance (OS and application updates, malware/intrusion detection, and so on).
	Where a network is connected to the Internet, servers storing private information or running local network services should be protected by firewalls so as not to be accessible from the Internet.
Gaming Consoles	contains many of the same components as a workstation.
	have powerful CPUs and graphics processors, plus Ethernet and Wi-Fi for wired and wireless home networking and Internet connectivity
	Web cameras and microphones are also available as peripherals
	The main difference to a workstation is that a console is designed to be operated by a gaming pad rather than a keyboard and mouse, though these are often also available as options. A gaming console would use an HD (High Definition) TV for a display.
Internet of Things (IoT)	a world in which many different types of things are embedded with processing and networking functionality
	Processing and networking functionality can be provisioned by very small chips, so the "things" can range from motor vehicles and washing machines to clothing and birthday cards.
	The global network of personal devices (such as phones, tablets, and fitness trackers), home appliances, home control systems, vehicles, and other items that have been equipped with sensors, software, and network connectivity.
Home Automation	from a clock to an alarm system or a refrigerator can be controlled over the Internet by home automation software
	sitting at the heart of this automation, is a smart hub to which other devices connect
	usually controlled using voice recognition systems and smartphone apps.
	specific home automation product categories include:	Thermostats—monitor and adjust your home or office Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) controls from an app installed on your phone.
		Security systems—monitor and control alarms, locks, lighting, and videophone entry systems remotely.
		IP cameras—often used for security, these devices connect to Internet Protocol (IP)-based networks such as the Internet and support direct upload and sync to cloud storage for remote monitoring.
		Home appliances—check the contents of your refrigerator from your smartphone while out shopping or start the washing machine cycle so that it has finished just as you get back to your house.
		Streaming media—play content stored on a storage device through any smart speaker or TV connected to the home network.
	Medical devices	class of devices where use of electronics to remotely monitor and configure the appliance is expanding rapidly.
		hospitals and clinics but includes portable devices such as cardiac monitors/defibrillators and insulin pumps.
		allow doctors and nurses to remotely monitor a patient and potentially to adjust dosage levels or other settings without the patient having to visit the care provider.

2.7 Basic networking concepts

IP (Internet Protocol)	Network (internet) layer protocol in the TCP/IP suite providing packet addressing and routing for all higher level protocols in the suite
Packet Transmission/Packet Switching Network	Packet switching introduces the ability for one computer to forward information to another.
	To ensure information reaches the correct destination, each packet is addressed with a source and destination address and then transferred using any available pathway to the destination computer
	A host capable of performing this forwarding function is called a router.
	described as "robust" because it can automatically recover from communication link failures.
	It re-routes data packets if transmission lines are damaged or if a router fails to respond. It can utilize any available network path rather than a single, dedicated one.
	As well as the forwarding function and use of multiple paths, data is divided into small chunks or packets.
	Using numerous, small packets means that if some are lost or damaged during transmission, it is easier to resend just the small, lost packets than having to re-transmit the entire message.
DNS (Domain Name System)	This industry standard name resolution system provides name to IP address mapping services on the Internet and large intranets.
	DNS is a hierarchical, distributed database. DNS name servers host the database for domains for which they are authoritative.
	Root servers hold details of the top-level domains. DNS servers also perform queries or lookups to service client requests
	The DNS protocol defines the mechanisms by which DNS servers and clients interact
	The DNS protocol utilizes TCP/UDP port 53.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator/Identifier)	Application-level addressing scheme for TCP/IP, allowing for human-readable resource addressing
	For example: protocol://server/file, where "protocol" is the type of resource (HTTP, FTP), "server" is the name of the computer (www.microsoft.com), and "file" is the name of the resource you wish to access.
	The term URI (Uniform Resource Indicator) is preferred in standards documentation but most people refer to these addresses as URLs.
A URL consists of the following parts:	Protocol	this describes the access method or service type being used. URLs can be used for protocols other than HTTP/HTTPS. The protocol is followed by the characters ://
	Host location	this could be an IP address, but as IP addresses are very hard for people to remember, it is usually represented by a Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN).
		DNS allows the web browser to locate the IP address of a web server based on its FQDN.
	File path	specifies the directory and file name location of the resource, if required
		Each directory is delimited by a forward slash.
		The file path may or may not be case-sensitive, depending on how the server is configured.
		If no file path is used, the server will return the default (home) page for the website.
WAN (Wide Area Network)	A Wide Area Network is a network that spans a relatively large geographical area, incorporating more than one site and often a mix of different media types and protocols.
	Connections are made using methods such as telephone lines, fiber optic cables, or satellite links
LAN (Local Area Network)	A type of network covering various different sizes but generally considered to be restricted to a single geographic location and owned/managed by a single organization.
IP Address	Each IP host must have a unique IP address.
	This can be manually assigned or dynamically allocated (using a DHCP server).
	In IPv4, the 32-bit binary address is expressed in the standard four byte, dotted decimal notation: 10.0.5.1. In IPv6, addresses are 128-bit expressed as hexadecimal (for example, 2001:db8::0bcd:abcd:ef12:1234).
	IPv6 provides a much larger address space, stateless autoconfiguration (greatly simplifying network administration), and replaces inefficient broadcast transmissions with multicast ones.
MAC (Media Access Control) Address	A MAC is a unique hardware address that is hard-coded into a network card by the manufacturer
	This is required for directing data frames across a network and for allowing the network card to compare destination addresses (coded into the data frame) and its own unique MAC address.
	A MAC address is 48 bits long with the first half representing the manufacturer's Organizationally Unique Identifier (OUI)
HTTP	The protocol (HyperText Transfer Protocol) used to provide web content to browsers.
	HTTP uses port 80. HTTPS provides for encrypted transfers, using SSL and port 443
POP (Post Office Protocol)	TCP/IP application protocol providing a means for a client to access email messages stored in a mailbox on a remote server.
	The server usually deletes messages once the client has downloaded them. POP3 utilizes TCP port 110.
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol)	TCP/IP application protocol providing a means for a client to access email messages stored in a mailbox on a remote server.
	Unlike POP3, messages persist on the server after the client has downloaded them.
	IMAP also supports mailbox management functions, such as creating subfolders and access to the same mailbox by more than one client at the same time. IMAP4 utilizes TCP port number 143.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)	The protocol used to send mail between hosts on the Internet. Messages are sent over TCP port 25
Modem (Modulator/Demodulator)	Modems are devices that are used to convert the digital signals from a computer into the appropriate analog signal that is required for transmission over public phone lines - this is called modulation
	The reverse process, demodulation, occurs at the receiving computer
	Modems are available in internal and external forms for different computer expansion slots and vary in terms of speed and data handling capabilities.
Router	Routers are able to link dissimilar networks and can support multiple alternate paths between locations based upon the parameters of speed, traffic loads, and cost.
	A router works at layer 3 (Network) of the OSI model. Routers form the basic connections of the Internet.
	They allow data to take multiple paths to reach a destination (reducing the likelihood of transmission failure)
	Routers can access source and destination addresses within packets and can keep track of multiple active paths within a given source and destination network.
	TCP/IP routers on a LAN can also be used to divide the network into logical subnets
Switch	Ethernet (or LAN) switches perform the functions of a specialized bridge.
	Switches receive incoming data into a buffer then the destination MAC address is compared with an address table.
	The data is then only sent out to the port with the corresponding MAC address.
	In a switched network, each port is in a separate collision domain and, therefore, collisions cannot occur. This is referred to as microsegmentation.
	Advanced switches perform routing at layers 3 (IP), 4 (TCP), or 7 (Application).
	Switches routing at layer 4/7 are referred to as load balancers and content switches.
AP (Access Point)	Device that provides connectivity between wireless devices and a cabled network.
	APs with Internet connectivity located in public buildings (cafes, libraries, airports for instance) are often referred to as hotspots.
Firewall	Hardware or software that filters traffic passing into or out of a network (for example, between a private network and the Internet)
	A basic packet-filtering firewall works at Layers 3 and 4 (Network and Transport) of the OSI model.
	Packets can be filtered depending on several criteria (inbound or outbound, IP address, and port number).
	More advanced firewalls (proxy and stateful inspection) can examine higher layer information, to provide enhanced security

2.8 Set up a wireless network

Wireless networking	generally understood to mean the IEEE's 802.11 standards for Wireless LANs (WLAN), also called Wi-Fi.
802.11n standard	an use either frequency band and deliver much improved data rates (nominally up to 600 Mbps)
802.11a and 802.11b,	supported data rates of 54 Mbps and 11 Mbps respectively.
802.11g	acted as an upgrade path for 802.11b, working at 54 Mbps but also allowing support for older 802.11b clients
802.11a	not as widely adopted but does use a less crowded frequency band (5 GHz) and is considered less susceptible to interference than the 2.4 GHz band used by 802.11b/g.
802.11ac	latest standardis now widely supported. 802.11ac access points can deliver up to 1.7 Gbps throughput at the time of writing. 802.11ac works only in the 5 GHz range with the 2.4 GHz band reserved for legacy standards support (802.11b/g/n).
Most SOHO routers support 802.11g/n or 802.11g/n/ac. This means that you can have a mix of client devices. For example, you might have a new router that supports 802.11ac but computers and tablets with wireless adapters that only support 802.11n. You can use the access point in compatibility mode to allow these devices to connect.
Configuring an Access Point	connect a PC or laptop to one of the LAN ports on the SOHO router.
	The SOHO router should assign the computer's adapter an Internet Protocol (IP) address using a service called the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).
	Look at the SOHO router's setup guide to find out the router's IP address. Open a web browser and type the router's IP address into the address bar. This should open a management page for you to log on. Enter the user name and password listed in the router's setup guide. Most routers will invite you to complete the configuration using a wizard, which guides you through the process.
	Use the System page to choose a new admin password. The admin password is used to configure the router. It is vital that this password be kept secret and secure. You must choose a strong password that cannot be cracked by password-guessing software. Use a long, memorable phrase of at least 12 characters.
	(Use the System page to choose a new admin password. The admin password is used to configure the router. It is vital that this password be kept secret and secure. You must choose a strong password that cannot be cracked by password-guessing software. Use a long, memorable phrase of at least 12 characters.)
	Use the Wireless settings page to configure the router as an access point. Having checked the box to enable wireless communications, you can adjust the following settings from the default.
	SSID (Service Set ID) - a name for the WLAN. This is usually set by default to the router vendor's name. It is a good idea to change the SSID from the default to something unique to your network. Remember that the SSID is easily visible to other wireless devices, so do not use one that identifies you personally or your address. The SSID can be up to 32 characters.
	Wireless mode—enable compatibility for different 802.11 devices.
Configuring Wireless Security	To prevent snooping, you should enable encryption on the wireless network. Encryption scrambles the messages being sent over the WLAN so that anyone intercepting them is not able to capture any valuable information. An encryption system consists of a cipher, which is the process used to scramble the message, and a key. The key is a unique value that allows the recipient to decrypt a message that has been encrypted using the same cipher and key. Obviously, the key must be known only to valid recipients or the encryption system will offer no protection.
	under Encryption, you would select the highest security mode supported by devices on the network.
	WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)—this is an older standard. WEP is flawed and you would only select this if compatibility with legacy devices and software is imperative.
	Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)—this fixes most of the security problems with WEP. WPA uses the same weak RC4 (Rivest Cipher) cipher as WEP but adds a mechanism called the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) to make it stronger.
	WPA2—this implements the 802.11i WLAN security standard. The main difference to WPA is the use of the AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) cipher for encryption. AES is much stronger than RC4/TKIP. The only reason not to use WPA2 is if it is not supported by devices on the network. In many cases, devices that can support WPA can be made compatible with WPA2 with a firmware or driver upgrade.
attenuation	The distance between the wireless client (station) and access point determines the attenuation (or loss of strength) of the signal
interference	Radio signals pass through solid objects, such as ordinary brick or drywall walls but can be weakened or blocked by particularly dense or thick material and metal. Other radio-based devices and nearby Wi-Fi networks can also cause interference
Captive Portal	A web page or website to which a client is redirected before being granted full network access
	The portal might allow limited network browsing, provide an authentication mechanism, or provide resources, such as access to patches or signature updates to allow the device to become compliant with network access policies. It can also function as a secondary authentication mechanism for open access points.
	On connecting, the user's browser is redirected to a server to enter credentials (and possibly payment for access).

3.1 Purpose of operating systems.

Application	a program, or group of programs, that allow users to perform different tasks, such as web browsing, email, and word processing
	With an OS, application software developers do not need to worry about writing routines to access the hard disk or send a document to a printer; they simply "call" functions of the OS that allow them to do these things.
	This allows application software designers to concentrate on application functions and makes the computer more reliable
	One consequence of this is that there are relatively few operating systems, as it takes a lot of work to produce software applications that will work with different systems
	Application vendors have to decide which operating systems they will support.
Hardware	Each hardware component requires a driver to wor
	OS software is built from a kernel of core functions with additional driver software and system utility applications
	The OS is responsible for identifying the components installed on the PC and loading drivers to enable the user to configure and use them.
SOHO (Small Office Home Office)	Typically used to refer to network devices designed for small-scale LANs (up to 10 users).
Kernel	All operating systems have a kernel
	which is a low-level piece of code responsible for controlling the rest of the operating system
	Windows uses a multiprocessor aware, pre-emptive multitasking kernel.
Mobile device OS	designed for handheld devices, such as smartphones and tablets.
Android	Mobile (smartphone and tablet) OS developed by the Open Handset Alliance (primarily sponsored by Google). Android is open source software.
iOS	Mobile OS developed by Apple for its iPhone and iPad devices
OS X	Operating system designed by Apple for their range of iMac computers, Mac workstations, and MacBook portables
	OS X is based on the BSD version of UNIX
	OS X is well supported by application vendors, especially in the design industry (Adobe/Macromedia).
Chrome OS	derived from Linux, via an open source OS called Chromium
	Chrome OS itself is proprietary
	developed by Google to run on specific laptop (chromebooks) and PC (chromeboxes) hardware.
Linux	An open-source operating system supported by a wide range of hardware and software vendors
Microsoft	world's foremost supplier of operating system and Office productivity software
	dominated the PC market since the development of the first IBM compatible PCs running MS-DOS.
Workstation OS	runs a traditional desktop PC or laptop. Examples include Microsoft Windows, Apple OS X/macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS.
	The general workstation OS types are:	Enterprise client—designed to work as a client in business networks
		Home client—designed to work on standalone or workgroup PCs and laptops in a home or small office. This will also allow each client to run some basic peer-to-peer network services, such as file sharing.
Network Operating System (NOS), or server OS	designed to run on servers in business networks
	A server OS, such as Windows Server, Linux, or UNIX, is often based on similar code to its workstation OS equivalent.
	For example, Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 are very similar in terms of the OS kernel.
	A server OS is likely to include software packages (or roles) to run network services and use different licensing to support more users.
	A server OS is also likely to have a simpler command-line interface, rather than a GUI, to make it more secure and reliable.
Embedded OS	a computer or appliance designed for a very specific function.
	hese systems can be as contained as a microcontroller in an intravenous drip-rate meter or as large and complex as an industrial control system managing a water treatment plant.
	Embedded systems are typically static environments. A PC is a dynamic environment
Firmware	refers to software instructions stored semi-permanently (embedded) on a hardware device (BIOS instructions stored in a ROM chip on the motherboard for instance).
Hypervisor	also known as a virtual machine monitor or VMM
	software that creates and runs virtual machines (VMs)
	allows one host computer to support multiple guest VMs by virtually sharing its resources, such as memory and processing.
Hypervisor Type 1	“bare metal”
	acts like a lightweight operating system and runs directly on the host's hardware
Hypervisor Type 2	runs as a software layer on an operating system, like other computer programs
Disk Management	Disk management • Process management/scheduling (Kill process/end task) • Memory management • Access control/protection
	The Disk Management snap-in displays a summary of any fixed and removable drives attached to the system. The top pane lists drives; the bottom pane lists disks, showing information about the partitions created on each disk plus any unpartitioned space. You can use the tool to create and modify partitions, reformat a partition, assign a different drive letter, and so on.
	one of the snap-ins included with the default Computer Management console
	you can open the tool directly from the Windows+X menu (or run diskmgmt.msc).
Partitions	allows a single disk to be divided into multiple different logical areas, each of which can be accessed via the OS as a separate drive.
	A disk must have at least one partition for the OS to use it.
	each partition must be formatted with a file system so that the OS can read and write files to the drive.
Process	When a program starts (either because it has been scheduled to do so by the OS or opened by a user), the application code executes in memory as a process
Task Manager(taskmgr)	allows the user to shut down processes that are not responding.
	An ordinary user can end unresponsive applications, but administrative rights are required to end processes that were started by the system rather than the signed in user
	This protects the system as things like malware cannot disable anti-virus software
	In addition to this functionality, Task Manager can be used to monitor the PC's key resources.
	There are various ways to run Task Manager, including pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC, right-clicking the taskbar, right-clicking the Start button, or pressing Windows+X.
taskkill	Terminating a process like this (rather than using the application's Close or Exit function) is often called "killing" the process.
	The command line option for doing this in Windows is indeed called taskkill
	Always try to close or end a task normally before attempting to "kill" it.
Service	a Windows process that does not require any sort of user interaction and thus runs in the background (without a window).
	provide functionality for many parts of the Windows OS, such as allowing sign in, browsing the network, or indexing file details to optimize searches
	may be installed by Windows and by other applications, such as anti-virus, database, or backup software.
	use this snap-in to check which services are running and to start and stop each service or configure its properties, such as whether it starts automatically at system boot time.
Task Scheduler	sets tasks to run at a particular time.
	Tasks can be run once at a future date or time or according to a recurring schedule
	A task can be a simple application process (including a command with any options if necessary) or a batch file, also called a script (a file that contains commands).
	accessed via its own console and can also be found in the Computer Management console.
	In Linux, the cron utility is often used to run tasks or scripts at a particular time.
Memory Management	When a process executes, it takes up space in system memory.
	If the system runs out of memory, then processes will be unable to start, and running processes may crash because they cannot load the data they need.
	There is not a lot to configure in terms of memory management.
	Badly written programs and malware can cause a memory leak, where the process keeps claiming memory addresses without releasing them
	If the system keeps running out of memory, you would use Task Manager or another monitoring program to find the offending process and disable it from running.
Access control	means that a computing device (or any information stored on the device) can only be used by an authorized person, such as its owner.
	on workstation operating systems is usually enforced by the concept of user accounts
	Each user of the device is allocated an account and uses a password (or other credential) to authenticate to that account.
	The OS can restrict the privileges allocated to an account so that it is not able to reconfigure settings or access certain data areas.
Administrator account	When the OS is first installed, the account created or used during setup is a powerful local administrator account
	you should only use this account to manage the computer (install applications and devices, perform troubleshooting, and so on).
Standard users group	You should create ordinary user accounts for day-to-day access to the computer
	cannot change the system configuration and are restricted to saving data files within their own user profile folder or the Public profile.
Least privilege principle	users should have only sufficient permissions required to perform tasks and no more.
User Account Control (UAC)	Windows' solution to the problem of elevated privileges
	In order to change important settings on the computer (such as installing drivers or software), administrative privileges are required.
Device management	Primary interface for configuring and managing hardware devices in Windows.
	Device Manager enables the administrator to disable and remove devices, view hardware properties and system resources, and update device drivers.
	You can open Device Manager via the Windows+X menu, locate the device, then right-click and select Uninstall
	Or via the Computer Management Console

3.2 Components of an operating system

Services	See 3.1
Processes	See 3.1
Task Scheduler	The Task Scheduler enables the user to perform an action (such as running a program or a script) automatically at a pre-set time or in response to some sort of trigger.
Computer Management Console	The Computer Management Console provides tools for administering the local computer, including Device Manager, Event Viewer, Disk Management, Services, and Performance Monitor
Command Line Interfaces	The Computer Management Console provides tools for administering the local computer, including Device Manager, Event Viewer, Disk Management, Services, and Performance Monitor.
	represents an alternative means of configuring an OS or application to a GUI
	To access the console, alt-click (My) Computer and select Manage.
	displays a prompt, showing that it is ready to accept a command.
	When you type the command plus any switches and press ENTER, the shell executes the command, displays any output associated with the execution, and then returns to the prompt.
GUI (Graphical User Interface)	A GUI provides an easy to use, intuitive interface for a computer operating system
	m. Most GUIs require a pointing device, such as a mouse, to operate efficientl
Device Driver	A small piece of code that is loaded during the boot sequence of an operating system.
	This code, usually provided by the hardware vendor, provides access to a device, or hardware, from the OS kernel.
	. Under Windows, a signing system is in place for drivers to ensure that they do not make the OS unstable.
Plug-and-Play (PnP)	A Plug-and-Play system (comprising a compatible BIOS, operating system, and hardware) is self-configuring
	When a hardware device is added or removed, the operating system detects the change and automatically installs the appropriate drivers.
Driver update	Device Manager provides the interface for configuring and managing hardware devices in Windows.
	In the Device Manager, the admin can disable and remove devices, view hardware properties and systems resources, and update device drivers
	Windows ships with a number of default drivers and can also try to locate a driver in the Windows Update website
	third-party drivers should be obtained from the vendor's website
	To update, you download the driver files and install them using the supplied setup program or extract them manually and save them to the hard disk. You can then use the device's property dialog in Device Manager to update the driver. You can either scan for the update automatically or point the tool to the updated version you saved to the hard disk.
TWAIN	Standard "driver" model for interfacing scanner hardware with applications software.
WIA (Windows Image Acquisition)	Driver model and API (Application Programming Interface) for interfacing scanner hardware with applications software on Windows PCs
File System	When data is stored on a disk, it is located on that medium in a particular, standardized format.
	This allows the drive and the computer to be able to extract the information from the disk using similar functions and thus data can be accessed in a predictable manner
	r. Examples of file systems include FAT16, FAT32, and NTFS (all used for hard disks) and CDFS (ISO 9660) and UDF (Universal Disk Format), used for optical media such as CD, DVD, and Blu-ray.
Partition	A discrete area of storage defined on a hard disk using either the Master Boot Record (MBR) scheme or the GUID Partition Table (GPT) scheme.
	Each partition can be formatted with a different file system, and a partition can be marked as active (made bootable).
NTFS (New Technology Filing System)	The NT File System supports a 64-bit address space and is able to provide extra features such as file-by-file compression and RAID support as well as advanced file attribute management tools, encryption, and disk quotas
FAT (File Allocation Table)	When a disk is formatted using the FAT or FAT32 file system a File Allocation Table (FAT) is written in a particular track or sector
	r. The FAT contains information relating to the position of file data chunks on the disk; data is not always written to one area of the disk but may be spread over several tracks.
	The original 16-bit version (FAT16, but often simply called FAT) was replaced by a 32-bit version that is almost universally supported by different operating systems and devices.
	A 64-bit version (exFAT) was introduced with Windows 7 and is also supported by XP SP3 and Vista SP1 and some versions of Linux and OS X.
Hierarchical File System (HFS+)	Apple Mac workstations and laptops use the extended Hierarchical File System (HFS+)
	the latest macOS version is being updated to the Apple File System (APFS)
ext	Most Linux distributions use some version of the ext file system to format partitions on mass storage devices.
	ext3 is a 64-bit file system with support for journaling, which means that the file system tracks changes, giving better reliability and less chance of file corruption in the event of crashes or power outages
	Support for journaling is the main difference between ext3 and its predecessor (ext2).
	ext4 delivers significantly better performance than ext3 and would usually represent the best choice for new systems.
exFAT	can be used where the NTFS file system is not a feasible solution (due to data structure overhead), but require a greater file size limit than the standard FAT32 file system (i.e. 4 GiB).
	exFAT has been adopted by the SD Card Association as the default file system for SDXC cards larger than 32 GiB
	Along with most of the features of NTFS, less overhead means faster processing for the exFAT file system, making it particularly suitable for flash drives.
Compression Software	To send or store a file it often needs to be compressed in some way, to reduce the amount of space it takes up on the storage media or the bandwidth required to send it over a network
	There are a number of compression utilities and formats
Compression Formats	zip	this format was developed for the PKZIP utility but is now supported "natively" by Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
		"Natively" means that the OS can create and extract files from the archive without having to install a third-party application
	tar	this was originally a UNIX format for writing to magnetic tape (tape archive) but is still used with gzip compression (tgz or .tar.gz) as a compressed file format for UNIX, Linux, and macOS.
		A third-party utility is required to create and decompress tar files in Windows.
	rar	this proprietary format is used by the WinRAR compression program.
	7z	this type of archive is created and opened using the open-source 7-Zip compression utility
	gz	this type of archive is created and opened by the gzip utility, freely available for UNIX and Linux computers.
		A number of Windows third-party utilities can work with gzip-compressed files.
	iso	this is a file in one of the formats used by optical media. The main formats are ISO 9660 (used by CDs) and UDF (used by DVDs and Blu-Ray Discs)
		Many operating systems can mount an image file so that the contents can be read through the file browser.
	vhd/vmdk	these are disk image file formats used with Microsoft Hyper-V and VMware virtual machines respectively.
		A disk image is a file containing the contents of a hard disk, including separate partitions and file systems
		Like an ISO, such a file can often be mounted within an OS so that the contents can be inspected via the file browser.
	dmg	this is a disk image file format used by Apple macOS.
Encryption	Scrambling the characters used in a message so that the message can be seen but not understood or modified unless it can be deciphered
	Encryption provides for a secure means of transmitting data and authenticating users.
	It is also used to store data securely
	Encryption systems allow for different levels of security (128-bit encryption is currently considered secure).
Key (Encryption)	An encryption cipher scrambles a message (plaintext) using an algorithm
	The algorithm is given a key so that someone intercepting the message could not just reverse the algorithm to unscramble the message; they must also know the key. In symmetric encryption, the same key is used for encryption and decryption
	In asymmetric encryption, different keys are used (one key is linked to but not derivable from the other key).
Full device encryption	Provided by all but the early versions of mobile device OS for smartphones and tablets, such as Android and iOS
iOS 5 (and up) Levels of Encryption	All user data on the device is always encrypted, but the key is stored on the device. This is primarily used as a means of wiping the device. The OS just needs to delete the key to make the data inaccessible rather than wiping each storage location.
	Email data and any apps using the "Data Protection" option are also encrypted using a key derived from the user's passcode (if this is configured). This provides security for data in the event that the device is stolen. Not all user data is encrypted; contacts, SMS messages, and pictures are not, for example.
Data Protection encryption	iOS
	enabled automatically when you configure a password lock on the device
	In Android, you need to enable encryption via Settings > Security. Android uses full-disk encryption with a passcode-derived key. When encryption is enabled, it can take some time to encrypt the device.
Permissions	To access files and folders on a volume, the administrator of the computer will need to grant file permissions to the user (or a group to which the user belongs)
	File permissions are Page 9/16 supported by NTFS-based Windows systems
AAA	Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting - the principal stages of security control. A resource should be protected by all three types of controls.
ACL (Access Control List)	The permissions attached to or configured on a network resource, such as folder, file, or firewall
	The ACL specifies which subjects (user accounts, host IP addresses, and so on) are allowed or denied access and the privileges given over the object (read only, read/write, and so on).
Group Account	A group account is a collection of user accounts
	These are useful when establishing file permissions and user rights because when many individuals need the same level of access, a Page 15/16 group could be established containing all the relevant users
	The group could then be assigned the necessary rights.
MAC (Mandatory Access Control)	Access control model where resources are protected by inflexible, system defined rules
	Resources (objects) and users (subjects) are allocated a clearance level (or label)
	Resources (objects) and users (subjects) are allocated a clearance level (or label)
File naming rules	Naming rules depend on the version of Windows and the file system
	A file name can be up to 255 characters long and can contain letters, numbers, and underscores.
	The operating system is case-sensitive, which means it distinguishes between uppercase and lowercase letters in file names. Therefore, FILEA, FiLea, and filea are three distinct file names, even if they reside in the same directory.
	File names should be as descriptive and meaningful as possible.
	Directories follow the same naming conventions as files.
	Certain characters have special meaning to the operating system. Avoid using these characters when you are naming files. These characters include the following:	/ \ " ' * ; - ? [ ] ( ) ~ ! $ { } &lt > # @ & \| space tab newline
	A file name is hidden from a normal directory listing if it begins with a dot (.). When the ls command is entered with the -a flag, the hidden files are listed along with regular files and directories.
Directory	A file system object used to organize files
	Directories can be created on any drive (the directory for the drive itself is called the root) and within other directories (subdirectory)
	Different file systems put limits on the number of files or directories that can be created on the root or the number of subdirectory levels.
	In Windows, directories are usually referred to as folders.
File	Data used by a computer is stored by saving it as a file on a disk
	Files store either plain text data or binary data
	Binary data must only be modified in a suitable application or the file will be corrupted
	A file is created by specifying a name
	Files usually have a three character extension (the last 3 characters in the file named preceded by a period)
	The file extension is used to associate the file with a particular software application
	Files have primary attributes (Read-Only, System, Hidden, and Archive) and other properties (date created or modified for instance)
	Files stored on an NTFS partition can have extended attributes (access control, compression, and encryption).
8.3 Filenames	The DOS file naming standard - an eight-character ASCII name followed by a three-character file extension (which identifies the file type).
	Windows supports long file names but can also generate a short file name, based on DOS 8.3 naming rules.
	. This provides backwards compatibility for older applications.
File Permissions	supported by NTFS-based Windows systems.

3.3 Purpose and proper use of software

Productivity software	Word processing	applications that help users to write and edit documents
		will come with features enabling the user to edit, format, and review text quickly.
	Spreadsheet	A spreadsheet consists of a table containing rows, columns, and cells
		When values are entered into the cells, formulas can be applied to them, enabling complex calculations to be carried out.
	Presentation	Presentation software enables users to create sophisticated business presentations that can be displayed as an on-screen slide show or printed onto overhead projector transparencies.
	Browser	A web browser is software designed to view HTML pages.
		Browsers must be configured carefully and kept up to date with system patches to make them less vulnerable to Trojans and malicious scripting.
		As well as the browser itself, plug-in applications that enable use of particular file formats, such as Flash or PDF, may also be vulnerable.
	Visual diagramming	Diagrams are an important means of communicating or recording ideas or configurations clearly
		software assists the creation of these by providing templates and shapes for different kinds of diagram.
		user does not have to worry about creating icons or shapes; they can just drag shapes from the template (or stencil) into the diagram and use the software tools to connect them appropriately.
Collaboration software	Email client	The email client software works in conjunction with an email server, which handles the business of actually transmitting the messages over the network.
		often coupled with a Personal Information Manager (PIM). PIM software provides features for storing and organizing information, such as contacts and calendar events and appointments.
	Online Workspaces and Document Storage/Sharing	where a file is hosted on a network, and users can sign in to get access to it.
		Different users might be assigned different permissions over the document. For example, some users may be able to view or print the document or add comments to it; others may be able to edit it.
		The client software provides the user with the tools to view and edit the document.
	Remote Desktop and Screen Sharing Software	allows a user to connect to a computer over a network.
		The remote desktop server runs on the target computer.
		The user starts a remote desktop client application and enters the connection information.
		When the connection is established, the user can operate the remote computer's desktop via a window on their local computer
		also used by IT support staff to login to a user's computer to provide support and assistance without having to travel to the user's location.
		Remote connection utilities can also be used in a "read-only" type of mode to facilitate screen sharing. the remote user can view the host's desktop but cannot interact with it. This mode is often used for software demonstrations and for product support.
	Instant Messaging	Instant Messaging (IM) software allows users to communicate in real time. Unlike with email, there is (virtually) no delay between sending and receiving a message. Basic IM software allows for the transfer of text messages and can also be used for file attachments.
	VoIP Software	packages voice communications as data packets, transmits them over the network, then reassembles the packets to provide two-way, real-time voice communication.
		"Real-time" applications such as IM are sensitive to latency, which is the delay in seconds that a packet of data takes to travel over a network
		IM voice and video calling also requires sufficient bandwidth
		These factors might be controllable on a private network, but on the Internet, where a packet might traverse many different networks to reach its final destination, link quality is more difficult to guarantee.
	Video Conferencing	Video conferencing or Video Teleconferencing (VTC) software allows users to configure virtual meeting rooms, with options for voice, video, and instant messaging. Other features often include screen sharing, presentation/whiteboard, file sharing, and polls and voting options.
		Most conferencing suites also provide a fallback teleconference option, to be used in conjunction with the presentation features, in case some participants cannot get a good enough connection for an IP voice or video call.
	Telepresence	a term used to refer to particularly sophisticated video conferencing solutions
		participants have a real sense of being in the same room
		can be achieved by a number of video technologies, including HD or 4K resolutions, large and/or curved flat-screens, and 3D. Emerging technologies might make use of virtual reality headsets, holograms, and robotics.
Business Software	Desktop Publishing (DTP	similar to word processing but with more emphasis on the formatting and layout of documents than on editing the text. DTP software also contains better tools for preparing a document to be printed professionally.
	Graphic Design	Often used in conjunction with DTP and web design software
	Computer Aided Design (CAD)	makes technical drawings and schematics easier to produce and revise.
		Drawings can be rotated or viewed in 3D and easily transmitted to a client for feedback
		often linked to Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) which enables the data produced in CAD drawings to be loaded into a machine which then manufactures the part.
	Project Management	involves breaking a project into a number of tasks and assigning responsibilities, resources, and timescales to ensure the completion of those tasks
		also involves identifying dependencies between tasks.
		Software such as Microsoft Project or Smartsheet assists with this process by visualizing task timelines and dependencies and recording information about task properties and progress.
	Database	enable the user to store, organize, and retrieve information.
		can search through thousands of records very quickly and display data in a format specified by the user
		can be used to store many different types of information, such as timetables, customer details, and patient records.
		The XML (eXtensible Markup Language) format is also increasingly important for data storage, as it allows for a high level of integration between different types of systems.
	Business-specific	A company may also commission custom-made software to implement specific Line of Business (LOB) functions
		LOB applications would cover functions that cannot be performed by "off-the-shelf" software.
		This might include product design and manufacturing, fulfilment and inventory control, plus marketing and sales.

3.4 App architecture & delivery models

Application Delivery Methods	Locally installed	Network not required, Application exists locally, Files saved locally
		A traditional PC-type software application is installed locally to the computer's hard drive.
		When launched it executes within the computer's memory and is processed by the local CPU.
		Any data files manipulated by the application can also be stored on the local disk, though usually in a user folder rather than the application folder.
		or security reasons ordinary users should not be able to modify application folders.
		A locally installed application such as this does not need network access to run, though obviously the network has to be present if the application makes use of network features.
	Local network hosted	Network required, Internet access not required
		application installed to a network server and executed on that server.
		client workstations access the application using a remote terminal or viewer.
		The most successful example of this kind of application virtualization model is Citrix XenApp. Locating the application and its data files on a server is easier to secure and easier to backup.
		This model also does not require that client hosts be able to access the Internet
		The drawback is that if there is no local network connection or the local network is heavily congested, users will not be able to use the application.
	Cloud hosted	Internet access required, Service required, Files saved in the cloud
		very similar to the local network model except that clients connect to the application servers over the Internet.
		provides a lot of flexibility in terms of provisioning the app to clients located in different regions
		As with local network applications, user-generated data files would normally be saved in the cloud too, with the same benefits for creating security access controls and backing up easily.
		The drawback is that clients and cloud service must both have a reliable Internet connection. Outages on either side can cause serious productivity problems.
Application architecture models	One tier(standalone)	front-end and processing logic and the database engine are all hosted on the same computer
	Two-tier	separates the database engine, or back-end or data layer, from the presentation layer and the application layer, or business logic
		The application and presentation layers are part of the client application.
		The database engine will run on one server (or more likely a cluster of servers), while the presentation and application layers run on the client.
	Three-tier	the presentation and application layers are also split
		The presentation layer provides the client front-end and user interface and runs on the client machine
		The application layer runs on a server or server cluster that the client connects to.
		When the client makes a request, it is checked by the application layer, and if it conforms to whatever access rules have been set up, the application layer executes the query on the data layer which resides on a third tier and returns the result to the client.
		The client should have no direct communications with the data tier.
	n-tier	used to mean either a two-tier or three-tier application, but another use is an application with a more complex architecture still
		For example, the application may use separate access control or monitoring services.

3.5 Configure & use web browsers

Caching/clearing cache	privacy issue is that the browser can be set to store information typed into forms, including passwords, and retains a history of browsed pages
	Any user using a publicly accessible computer should be trained to check these settings and to clear the browser cache before logging off.
	This is done from the browser's settings dialog or configuration page.
Private Browsing Mode	the browser doesn't store cookies or temporary files and doesn't add pages to the history list
	does allow the creation of cookies but only ones that are directly connected to the URL you are visiting. It also deletes the cookies when you close the page. Third-party cookies are not accepted.
	Private mode does not stop the browser from sending some information to the website. You cannot avoid the website discovering your IP address for instance. For fully "anonymous" browsing, you have to use some sort of Virtual Private Network (VPN) or proxy.
	You can usually open a private browser tab by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+P (in Firefox) or CTRL+SHIFT+N (in Chrome).
Deactivate Client-side Scripting	Most sites will use server-side scripting, meaning that code runs on the server to display the page you are looking at.
	Many sites also depend on client-side scripting, so there is no way to disable this.
	This means that code is placed in the page itself and runs within the browser to change the way it looks or provide some other functionality.
	Deactivating client-side scripting tends to break most of the websites published on the Internet because they depend very heavily on the functionality that scripting allows.
	Scripting can be disabled in some browsers by configuring settings, but others, Microsoft's new Edge browser for instance, do not allow scripts to be disabled.
	It is also possible to install a script blocker add-on. This provides more control over which websites are allowed to run scripts.
Browser add-ons/extensions	Add-ons come in several different types:	Extensions—these can add functionality to the browser. They might install a toolbar or change menu options. They can run scripts to interact with the pages you are looking at.
		Plug-ins—these are designed to play some sort of content embedded in a web page, such as Flash, Silverlight, or other video/multimedia format. The plug-in can only interact with the multimedia object placed on the page, so it's more limited than an extension
		Themes—these change the appearance of the browser using custom images and color schemes.
	You can view installed add-ons and choose to remove or enable/disable them using the browser settings button or menu.
	All extensions and plug-ins should be digitally signed by the developer to indicate that the code is as-published. You should be extremely wary of installing unsigned add-ons.
	about:addons allows you to add, remove, enable/disable addons
Proxy settings	a network firewall is likely to be deployed to monitor and control all traffic passing between the local network and the Internet. On networks like this, clients might not be allowed to connect to the Internet directly but forced to use a proxy server instead
	The proxy server can be configured as a firewall and apply other types of content filtering rules.
	Some proxy servers work transparently so that clients use them without any extra configuration of the client application
	Other proxies require that client software, such as the browser, be configured with the IP address and port of the proxy server.
	This information would be provided by the network administrator.
Certificates (Valid, Invalid)	When you browse a site using a certificate, the browser displays the information about the certificate in the address bar:
	If the certificate is valid and trusted	a padlock icon is shown
		Click the icon to view information about the certificate and the Certificate Authority guaranteeing it.
	f the certificate is highly trusted	the address bar is colored green
		High assurance certificates make the website owner go through a (even) more rigorous identity validation procedure
	If the certificate is untrusted or otherwise invalid	the address bar is colored maroon and the site is blocked by a warning message
		If you want to trust the site anyway, click through the warning.
pop-up	a "sub-window" that appears over the main window
	can be implemented using scripts or add-ons
	can be opened automatically by a script running on the page or in response to clicking a link
	Aggressive use of pop-up windows is associated with spyware and adware
	These spawn pop-ups when you open the browser, on every site you visit, and when you try to close the browser. They may even re-spawn when you try to close them
Popup blockers	You can control the use of cookies by the websites you visit using browser settings.
	You can also choose to prevent sites from creating pop-up windows and configure exceptions for this rule. Note that this will not block all types of overlay pop-ups or advertising.
	If you want to have closer control over advertising on a site you need to install a suitable browser extension.
Compatible Browser	It is often the case that you will need to have more than one browser installed on your computer.
	This is not ideal in security terms, as it is better to install as few applications as possible, but circumstances may demand it.
	Compatibility aside, your choice of browser is largely down to personal preference.

CompTIA ITF+ Exam Objectives Cheat Sheet by Bayan.A

1.1 Compare and contrast notational systems.

1.2 Data types and their charac­ter­istics

1.3 Basics of computing and proces­sing.

1.4 Vallue of data and inform­ation

1.5 Common units of measure.

1.6 Explain the troubl­esh­ooting method­ology.

2.1 types of input/­output device interfaces

2.2 Set up periph­erals

2.3 Internal computing components

2.4 Internet service types.

2.5 Storage types.

2.6 Computing devices and their purposes

2.7 Basic networking concepts

2.8 Set up a wireless network

3.1 Purpose of operating systems.

3.2 Components of an operating system

3.3 Purpose and proper use of software

3.4 App archit­ecture & delivery models

3.5 Configure & use web browsers

1.2 Data types and their characteristics

1.3 Basics of computing and processing.

1.4 Vallue of data and information

1.6 Explain the troubleshooting methodology.

2.1 types of input/output device interfaces

2.2 Set up peripherals

3.4 App architecture & delivery models