Computer Support/Objectives/Hardware

3.1 Explain basic cable types and their connectors, features, and purposes.

• Network cables
  • Copper
    • Cat 5
    • Cat 5e
    • Cat 6
    • Cat 6a
    • Coaxial
    • Shielded twisted pair
      • Direct burial
    • Unshielded twisted pair
  • Plenum
  • Optical
    • Fiber
  • T568A/T568B

• Peripheral cables
  • USB 2.0
  • USB 3.0
  • Serial
  • Thunderbolt
• Video cables
  • High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
  • DisplayPort
  • Digital Visual Interface (DVI)
  • Video Graphics Array (VGA)
• Hard drive cables
  • Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA)
  • Small Computer System Interface (SCSI)
  • External SATA (eSATA)
  • Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE)

3.2 Given a scenario, install the appropriate RAM.

• RAM types
  • Virtual RAM
  • Small outline dual inline memory module (SODIMM)
  • Double Data Rate 3 (DDR3)
  • Double Data Rate 4 (DDR4)
  • Double Data Rate 5 (DDR5)
  • Error correction code (ECC) RAM

• Single-channel
• Dual-channel
• Triple-channel
• Quad-channel

3.3 Given a scenario, select and install storage devices.

• Hard drives
  • Speeds
    • 5,400rpm
    • 7,200rpm
    • 10,000rpm
    • 15,000rpm
  • Form factor
    • 2.5
    • 3.5

• SSDs
  • Communications interfaces
    • Non-volatile Memory Express (NVMe)
    • SATA
    • Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe)
  • Form factors
    • M.2
    • mSATA

• Drive configurations
  • Redundant Array of Independent (or Inexpensive) Disks (RAID) 0, 1, 5, 10
• Removable storage
  • Flash drives
  • Memory cards
  • Optical drives

3.4 Given a scenario, install and configure motherboards, central processing units (CPUs), and add-on cards.

• Motherboard form factor
  • Advanced Technology eXtended (ATX)
  • Information Technology eXtended (ITX)
• Motherboard connector types
  • Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)
  • PCI Express (PCIe)
  • Power connectors
  • SATA
  • eSATA
  • Headers
  • M.2
• Motherboard compatibility
  • CPU sockets
    • Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD)
    • Intel
  • Server
  • Multisocket
  • Desktop
  • Mobile
• Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)/Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) settings
  • Boot options
  • USB permissions
  • Trusted Platform Module (TPM) security features
  • Fan considerations
  • Secure Boot
  • Boot password

• Encryption
  • TPM
  • Hardware security module (HSM)
• CPU architecture
  • x64/x86
  • Advanced RISC Machine (ARM)
  • Single-core
  • Multicore
  • Multithreading
  • Virtualization support
• Expansion cards
  • Sound card
  • Video card
  • Capture card
  • NIC
• Cooling
  • Fans
  • Heat sink
  • Thermal paste/pads
  • Liquid

3.5 Given a scenario, install or replace the appropriate power supply.

• Input 110-120 VAC vs. 220-240 VAC
• Output 3.3V vs. 5V vs. 12V
• 20-pin to 24-pin motherboard adapter

• Redundant power supply
• Modular power supply
• Wattage rating

3.6 Given a scenario, deploy and configure multifunction devices/printers and settings.

• Properly unboxing a device – setup location considerations
• Use appropriate drivers for a given OS
  • Printer Control Language (PCL) vs. PostScript
• Device connectivity
  • USB
  • Ethernet
  • Wireless
• Public/shared devices
  • Printer share
  • Print server

• Configuration settings
  • Duplex
  • Orientation
  • Tray settings
  • Quality
• Security
  • User authentication
  • Badging
  • Audit logs
  • Secured prints
• Network scan services
  • Email
  • SMB
  • Cloud services
• Automatic document feeder (ADF)/flatbed scanner

3.7 Given a scenario, install and replace printer consumables.

• Laser
  • Imaging drum, fuser assembly, transfer belt, transfer roller, pickup rollers, separation pads, duplexing assembly
  • Imaging process: processing, charging, exposing, developing, transferring, fusing, and cleaning
  • Maintenance: Replace toner, apply maintenance kit, calibrate, clean
• Inkjet
  • Ink cartridge, print head, roller, feeder, duplexing assembly, carriage belt
  • Calibration
  • Maintenance: Clean heads, replace cartridges, calibrate, clear jams

• Thermal
  • Feed assembly, heating element
  • Special thermal paper
  • Maintenance: Replace paper, clean heating element, remove debris
  • Heat sensitivity of paper
• Impact
  • Print head, ribbon, tractor feed
  • Impact paper
  • Maintenance: Replace ribbon, replace print head, replace paper
• 3-D printer
  • Filament
  • Resin
  • Print bed