CompTIA A+ Practice Test (220-1101)

Hot swapping or hot plugging refers to a component that can be removed or added to a system while it is "hot" (powered on). A common example is a USB device.

Cat 6 cables are designed to support Gigabit Ethernet standards (1000BASE-T/1000BASE-TX) up to a length of 100 meters. They offer improved performance over Cat 5e in terms of crosstalk and system noise reduction due to more stringent specifications for shielding and twisted pair designs. Cat 5e also supports Gigabit Ethernet but has higher chances of crosstalk compared to Cat 6, which makes Cat 6 the best choice for the given criteria. While optical fiber offers even higher speeds and reduced noise, it is not necessary for distances of 100 meters when Gigabit Ethernet is the required standard. Coaxial cable is generally used for cable Internet or digital TV instead of data networking for office use.

SATA 3.0, also known as SATA 6Gb/s, is the third revision of the SATA interface and supports a maximum data transfer rate of 6 gigabits per second. The other answer options represent older SATA standards: SATA 2.0 has a maximum rate of 3 Gb/s, and SATA 1.0 has a maximum rate of 1.5 Gb/s. Although actual data throughput is lower than the theoretical maximum due to encoding overhead, knowing the interface's specified rate is essential for comparing hardware.

Server Message Block (SMB) protocol is a client-server protocol that allows system administrators to share printers, files and other resources. It is more common with Windows OS based environments but can be used on Linux and Mac as well.

Creating a virtual machine to run the outdated operating system and legacy software provides isolation from the main, up-to-date operating environment. This ensures compatibility and extends the viability of the software without compromising the security or stability of the company's newer systems and hardware.

ATX is a common form factor for full-size desktop motherboards, providing space for multiple expansion slots and components. ITX, while also used in desktops, refers to smaller form factors more suitable for compact or portable systems. The other options do not represent standardized motherboard form factors.

Cleaning the dust from the cooling fans and the inside of the computer case is the correct answer. Overheating can cause sluggish performance and applications to crash. Dust buildup on cooling components can prevent proper heat dissipation and could lead to overheating. Therefore, removing the dust can help lower the temperatures, which may resolve the performance issues. Reducing resource-intensive applications focuses on software solutions and might not address the root cause of overheating. Ensuring that all drivers are up to date may be beneficial in resolving other issues but would not address the overheating concern directly. Reformatting the hard disk and reinstalling the OS is too extreme for an overheating problem and should be a last resort after hardware issues have been ruled out.

The essential step is to confirm that the laptop's motherboard has a slot that supports the protocol used by the high-speed non-volatile memory module. Without the appropriate slot that supports NVMe, installing the module would be futile regardless of other considerations. Checking if there's physical space is important, but the compact nature of the module usually means it will fit in most laptops. BIOS or firmware revisions may be needed for optimization or to address compatibility bugs, but the baseline compatibility still depends on the slot type. Lastly, additional drivers could be needed, but this doesn't directly inform about hardware interface compatibility.

A rotational speed of 15 000 rpm is characteristic of high-performance enterprise-grade hard disk drives-usually Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) models intended for servers and workstations that run 24/7 and demand very high IOPS. Spinning faster than 5 400 rpm or 7 200 rpm desktop drives and even 10 000 rpm performance drives, 15 k-rpm enterprise HDDs reduce latency and increase throughput. Solid-state drives (SSDs) have no moving parts and therefore no rpm rating, while energy-efficient mobile or standard desktop HDDs generally top out at 5 400 rpm or 7 200 rpm.

Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) are most commonly created using Bluetooth Bluetooth is used by mobile devices to communicate directly without the use of an intermediate device like a Wireless Access Point (WAP) or wireless router.

The correct answer explains the benefit of rapid scalability and on-demand resource allocation. This is a significant advantage for companies that need to provide their employees with remote desktop access because it allows the company to handle an increase in users or workloads quickly without the time and cost of setting up physical infrastructure. This is not implied by the other choices, which either inaccurately describe the benefits or outline scenarios that are not achievable with such cloud solutions.

Restarting the cable modem is often the best first step in troubleshooting as it can resolve a range of issues, including ones related to connection establishment with the Internet Service Provider (ISP). Replacing the modem or router would be more costly and time-consuming without first attempting simpler troubleshooting steps. Checking the network card would not be related to a modem's inability to connect to the ISP. Cable testing is useful for ensuring physical connectivity but the scenario has verified physical connection.

Setting up a print server is the best method for managing centralized print jobs. A print server allows for effective queue management of print jobs, and eases the process of printer discovery and sharing in a networked environment. By having a dedicated print server, the IT administrator can also manage printer access permissions and audit usage, which is crucial for an office environment. Other methods such as direct IP printer connections or sharing through a workstation do not offer the same level of centralization and manageability required for office settings.

The statement is false. When the initial theory of probable cause is not confirmed during the troubleshooting process, the appropriate next step is to either establish a new theory of probable cause or perform further testing. Escalation to a higher level of support generally occurs after multiple theories have been tested and failed to resolve the problem, or if the problem is beyond the scope of the technician's knowledge or access. Immediately escalating an issue without further investigation can be inefficient and may not adhere to the organization's troubleshooting procedures. It is important to perform due diligence in testing and research before concluding that escalation is necessary.

Enabling the mobile hotspot feature on the smartphone allows it to act as a wireless access point by sharing the phone's mobile data connection with the laptop, requiring no additional equipment or complex installations. USB tethering could also work but involves a cable and may not be as convenient.

Near-Field Communication (NFC) is a method of mobile, contact-less payment commonly implemented by retailers, allowing customers to pay with their smartphone.

Port flapping-also known as link flap-occurs when a switch interface goes up, then down, then up again in rapid succession. Because the physical link keeps resetting, any device on that port experiences intermittent connectivity. Faulty or non-standard cables, failing transceivers, or configuration mismatches are common causes. Jitter, high latency, and external interference affect packet timing or signal quality but do not cause the port itself to toggle states.

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is the protocol responsible for assigning IP addresses.

Near-field Communication (NFC) is a wireless technology used by contactless payment services like Google Pay and Apple Pay.

Recording the ambient temperature and dust buildup around the system documents environmental factors that commonly contribute to power-supply and other hardware failures. Including these conditions in the ticket helps other technicians identify patterns and apply preventive measures. The warranty date, gateway MAC address, or number of domain users do not explain why the power supply failed and offer little value for future root-cause analysis.