CompTIA A+ / Network+ / Security+ CompTIA A+ Core 1: Hardware, Mobile Devices & Networking (220-1101) Syllabus

CompTIA A+ Core 1: Hardware, Mobile Devices & Networking (220-1101) syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for CompTIA A+ Core 1: Hardware, Mobile Devices & Networking (220-1101) in CompTIA A+ / Network+ / Security+, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Mobile Devices

   4 topics

   • Laptop Hardware and Components
     • Installing and replacing batteries, keyboards and RAM
     • Storage migration: HDD to SSD and M.2/NVMe form factors
     • Wireless cards, biometrics and near-field communication modules
   • Laptop Displays
     • LCD, OLED and backlight/inverter components
     • Webcam, microphone, Wi-Fi antenna and digitiser placement
   • Mobile Device Accessories and Ports
     • USB-C, Lightning and serial interfaces
     • Docking stations versus port replicators
   • Mobile Device Connectivity and Synchronisation
     • Hotspot, tethering, Bluetooth and aeroplane mode
     • Email setup: POP3, IMAP, SMTP, S/MIME ports
     • Synchronising to cloud, desktop and automobile systems
2. 2

   Networking Fundamentals

   5 topics

   • Ports and Protocols
     • Common TCP/UDP ports: 20/21, 22, 23, 25, 53, 67/68, 80, 110, 137-139, 143, 161/162, 389, 443, 445, 3389
     • Connectionless versus connection-oriented protocols
   • Networking Hardware Devices
     • Routers, switches, access points and patch panels
     • Power over Ethernet injectors and switches
     • Firewalls and software-defined networking concepts
   • Wireless Networking Standards
     • 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax frequencies and channels
     • Long-range fixed wireless, RFID and NFC
   • Network Configuration Concepts
     • IPv4, IPv6, APIPA and link-local addressing
     • Static versus DHCP, DNS and gateways
     • VLANs and virtual private networks
   • Internet Connection Types and Network Types
     • Fibre, cable, DSL, satellite and cellular
     • LAN, WAN, PAN, MAN, WLAN and SAN
3. 3

   Hardware

   6 topics

   • Cables and Connectors
     • Network cables: Cat 5/5e/6/6a, fibre, coaxial
     • Peripheral cables: USB, Thunderbolt, SATA, eSATA
     • Connector types: RJ45, RJ11, LC/SC/ST, F-type
   • RAM Types and Installation
     • DDR3, DDR4, DDR5 and SODIMM
     • Single, dual and multi-channel configurations; ECC
   • Storage Devices
     • HDD speeds, SSD interfaces and NVMe
     • RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 concepts
   • Motherboards, CPUs and Add-on Cards
     • Form factors: ATX, ITX; socket and chipset types
     • BIOS/UEFI settings, TPM and secure boot
     • Expansion buses: PCIe lanes and slots
   • Power Supplies
     • Wattage, rails and 240V UK input considerations
     • Modular versus non-modular and connector types
   • Printers and Multifunction Devices
     • Laser, inkjet, thermal and impact print processes
     • 3D printing concepts and consumables
     • Print sharing, drivers and network configuration
4. 4

   Virtualisation and Cloud Computing

   3 topics

   • Cloud Models
     • Public, private, hybrid and community clouds
     • IaaS, PaaS and SaaS
   • Cloud Characteristics
     • Shared resources, metered utilisation and rapid elasticity
     • High availability and file synchronisation
   • Client-side Virtualisation
     • Hypervisors and resource requirements
     • Sandboxing and test development environments
5. 5

   Hardware and Network Troubleshooting

   6 topics

   • Troubleshooting Methodology
     • Identify, theorise, test, plan, implement, verify, document
   • Diagnosing Motherboard, RAM, CPU and Power Issues
     • POST codes, beep codes and capacitor swelling
     • Overheating, shutdowns and burning smells
   • Storage and RAID Faults
     • Read/write failures, S.M.A.R.T. errors and array rebuild
   • Display and Mobile Device Faults
     • Dim, flickering, dead pixels and artefacts
     • Overheating, swollen battery and digitiser issues
   • Network Connectivity Troubleshooting
     • Intermittent connectivity, limited connectivity and high latency
     • Using cable testers, loopback plugs and toner probes
   • Printer Troubleshooting
     • Streaks, ghosting, paper jams and faded prints

CompTIA A+ Core 1: Hardware, Mobile Devices & Networking (220-1101) flashcards for CompTIA A+ / Network+ / Security+

21 of 72 cards from the CompTIA A+ Core 1: Hardware, Mobile Devices & Networking (220-1101) deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the standard form factor and pin count of laptop (mobile) RAM, and how does it differ physically from desktop RAM?

   Laptops use SO-DIMM (Small Outline DIMM) modules. DDR4 SO-DIMMs have 260 pins and DDR3 SO-DIMMs have 204 pins. They are roughly half the length of desktop DIMMs (DDR4 desktop = 288 pins), so SO-DIMMs are shorter and not interchangeable with desktop slots.

2. When replacing a laptop keyboard or battery, what should you always do first, and what fastener detail is critical to track?

   Power off and disconnect AC, then remove the battery (or disconnect the internal battery connector) to de-energise the board before working. Keep careful track of the many small screws of differing lengths (often by laying them out on a labelled diagram), because using the wrong screw can crack the board or threads.

3. Compare the two main laptop display backlight technologies: CCFL versus LED.

   CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp) is older, requires an inverter to convert DC to high-voltage AC, is thicker, and uses more power. LED backlights are now standard: they are thinner, more energy-efficient, require no inverter, and offer better dimming/brightness control.

4. What is the purpose of the inverter in an older CCFL laptop display, and what symptom indicates inverter failure?

   The inverter converts the laptop's low-voltage DC into the high-voltage AC needed to illuminate a CCFL backlight. A failing inverter typically produces a very dim screen that is only faintly visible under a bright light (image present but no backlight); the screen may also flicker or have a pink/red tint.

5. Distinguish between a laptop digitiser and the LCD panel.

   The LCD panel produces the visible image. The digitiser is a separate transparent touch layer over the screen that converts touch/stylus input into coordinate data. A cracked digitiser can break touch input while the LCD still displays correctly (and vice versa).

6. What does a Wi-Fi antenna in a laptop look like and where is it typically routed?

   The Wi-Fi antenna wires connect to the WLAN card (M.2/mini-PCIe) and are routed up through the display hinge and around the inside edges of the LCD bezel/lid, because the higher position improves wireless reception.

7. List common mobile device accessory connection types and one example of each.

   Wired ports: USB-C, Lightning, micro-USB. Wireless: Bluetooth (headsets, keyboards), NFC (tap-to-pay, pairing), and Wi-Fi. Accessories include docking stations, port replicators, trackpads/touchpens, and Qi wireless charging pads.

8. Differentiate a docking station from a port replicator for a laptop.

   A port replicator simply duplicates the laptop's existing ports (USB, video, Ethernet) for easy connection at a desk. A docking station is generally more capable, often adding extra functionality such as additional ports, optical/extra drive bays, or dedicated power, and may use a proprietary connector or USB-C/Thunderbolt.

9. What is NFC, what is its approximate operating range, and name two common mobile uses.

   NFC (Near Field Communication) is a short-range wireless technology operating at about $4\ \text{cm}$ or less. Common uses: contactless mobile payments (e.g., tap-to-pay) and quick device pairing/tapping to exchange data.

10. Compare the data-synchronisation methods: sync to the cloud, to the desktop, and to an automobile.

    Sync to cloud uses an internet account (e.g., iCloud/Google) so data is available on any device. Sync to desktop uses a wired/local connection to a computer with software (e.g., Finder/iTunes). Sync to automobile connects the phone to the car (Bluetooth/USB, Android Auto/CarPlay) to share contacts, calls, and media.

11. What are the typical requirements to set up cellular/mobile data synchronisation or hotspot tethering?

    You need a cellular plan that allows data/tethering, the phone configured as a mobile hotspot (or USB/Bluetooth tether), and matching credentials (SSID/password) on the connecting device. APN settings must be correct for the carrier.

12. Give the standard port numbers for FTP, SSH, Telnet, and SMTP.

    FTP = ports 20 and 21; SSH = port 22; Telnet = port 23; SMTP = port 25.

13. Give the standard port numbers for DNS, DHCP, HTTP, and HTTPS.

    DNS = port 53; DHCP = ports 67 and 68; HTTP = port 80; HTTPS = port 443.

14. Give the standard port numbers for POP3, IMAP, SMB/CIFS, and RDP.

    POP3 = port 110; IMAP = port 143; SMB/CIFS = port 445; RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) = port 3389.

15. Give the standard port numbers for LDAP, LDAPS, SNMP, and SLP.

    LDAP = port 389; LDAPS (secure LDAP) = port 636; SNMP = ports 161 and 162; SLP = port 427.

16. Contrast TCP and UDP as transport-layer protocols.

    TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is connection-oriented and reliable, using a three-way handshake, sequencing, and acknowledgements to guarantee delivery. UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is connectionless and best-effort with no guarantee of delivery, but has lower overhead and is faster, suited to streaming, VoIP, and DNS queries.

17. What is the function of a router versus a switch on a network?

    A switch operates at Layer 2 and forwards frames within a single LAN using MAC addresses, learning which port each device is on. A router operates at Layer 3, connecting different networks/subnets and forwarding packets between them using IP addresses, providing the path between LANs and the internet.

18. Explain the difference between a managed and an unmanaged switch.

    An unmanaged switch works out of the box with no configuration—just plug and play. A managed switch can be configured (VLANs, port mirroring, QoS, SNMP, security) and offers monitoring and control, typically via a web/CLI interface.

19. What is Power over Ethernet (PoE), and what does a PoE injector versus a PoE switch provide?

    PoE delivers electrical power and data over the same Ethernet cable, powering devices like IP cameras, VoIP phones, and wireless access points. A PoE switch supplies power on its ports directly; a PoE injector adds power to the line between a non-PoE switch and the device.

20. Define what an Access Point (AP) does and how it differs from a wireless router.

    An access point bridges wireless clients to a wired network, extending or providing Wi-Fi connectivity. A wireless router combines an AP with routing, switching, NAT, DHCP, and firewall functions in one device; an AP alone provides only the wireless-to-wired bridge.

21. List the Wi-Fi standards 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax with their frequency bands and approximate maximum throughput.

    802.11a: $5\ \text{GHz}$, up to $54\ \text{Mbps}$. 802.11b: $2.4\ \text{GHz}$, up to $11\ \text{Mbps}$. 802.11g: $2.4\ \text{GHz}$, up to $54\ \text{Mbps}$. 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4): $2.4/5\ \text{GHz}$, up to $600\ \text{Mbps}$. 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5): $5\ \text{GHz}$, up to several $\text{Gbps}$. 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6/6E): $2.4/5/6\ \text{GHz}$, highest efficiency and throughput.

See more CompTIA A+ Core 1: Hardware, Mobile Devices & Networking (220-1101) flashcards →

Planning CompTIA A+ Core 1: Hardware, Mobile Devices & Networking (220-1101) for CompTIA A+ / Network+ / Security+

CompTIA A+ Core 1: Hardware, Mobile Devices & Networking (220-1101) (CompTIA A+ / Network+ / Security+) FAQ