CompTIA A+ Practice Test (220-1201)

Link-local addresses are automatically configured on all IPv6-enabled interfaces and can be used to communicate with other hosts in the same network segment without the need for additional configuration. These addresses are in the fe80::/10 prefix range. A common misconception is to look for unique local addresses or site-local addresses; these are utilized in larger scopes or reserved for specific purposes and do not necessarily indicate successful interface operation in a local context. Global addresses are assigned for communication over the Internet, but their presence does not confirm the interface's ability to communicate on the local link.

In a network server that assigns dynamic IP addresses, the lease time determines the duration a device can keep its IP address before needing to request renewal. Setting this parameter to 168 hours matches the duration equivalent to one week.

IPS LCD technology aligns liquid crystals parallel to the screen, keeping light transmission more uniform across a wide range of angles. This produces noticeably wider horizontal and vertical viewing angles and better color accuracy than TN panels, whose perpendicular crystal alignment causes color shifting and contrast loss when viewed off-center. Although IPS response times are usually slower and costs higher, those drawbacks do not affect the requirement in this scenario. TN offers fast response but poor side-angle viewing, VA offers high contrast, and OLED uses self-emitting pixels rather than a backlight.

The 4-pin Molex connector was the standard for providing power to internal PATA (IDE) hard drives and optical drives. It delivers both +5V and +12V DC. While newer storage devices use the 15-pin SATA power connector, Molex connectors are still found on older power supplies and are sometimes used for other devices like case fans. USB-C and USB 3.0 are used for external peripherals, and the DB-9 connector is a legacy serial port used for data transfer, not internal power.

A Private cloud model would be most appropriate for the company as it offers an environment where services are maintained on a private network and the hardware and software are dedicated solely to the organization. This ensures that concerns such as data control and privacy are addressed since the company's sensitive operations are not vulnerable to the risks associated with shared environments like in public clouds. Unlike public and hybrid models, a private cloud is not shared with other organizations and can offer a higher level of security and control, which caters directly to the scenario involving strict data control policies and privacy issues.

Port 995 is the designated port for secure POP3 communications, also known as POP3S or POP3 over SSL/TLS. When configuring an email client to retrieve emails securely via POP3, it should be set to use this port, which facilitates encrypted communication to prevent eavesdropping. Port 110 is used for non-secure POP3 connections. Port 587 is for submitting emails via SMTP securely using STARTTLS. Port 993 is typically used for the secure version of the IMAP protocol (IMAPS).

The correct answer is a serial to USB converter. This device is required because it bridges the gap between the old-style 9-pin D-shaped connector, commonly referred to as a serial connector, and the contemporary interface ports available on newer laptops. An HDMI adapter would not be suitable as it is used for audio and video signals, not serial data communication. An Ethernet adapter is designed for network connectivity and also does not match the signaling or connector shape of a 9-pin serial device. A wireless networking dongle provides wireless connectivity and would not interface with a wired serial connection.

Category 6 (Cat 6) cable is the minimum standard that supports 10 Gbps speeds, although it is limited to 55 meters. It is constructed with tighter twists than Cat 5e, and often includes a spline, which provides better resistance to crosstalk and electromagnetic interference (EMI). While a shielded (STP) version of Cat 6 would be optimal for a high-EMI environment, standard Cat 6 still offers superior EMI resistance over Cat 5e. Cat 5e does not support 10 Gbps speeds, making it unsuitable for the future upgrade requirement. Coaxial cable is an outdated standard for local area networks and does not meet the speed requirements. Plenum-rated cable refers to fire-retardant jacketing for air-handling spaces and does not relate to network speed or EMI protection.

An NVMe M.2 SSD would be the best choice for the high-performance storage device in this scenario. NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) drives utilize the PCIe bus for significantly faster data transfer speeds compared to SATA interfaces. The small form factor of the M.2 drive makes it ideal for the SFF workstation while providing ample speed for intensive tasks like graphic design and video editing.

802.3af is the correct answer because it is the PoE standard that provides up to 15.4 watts of power per port, which is suitable for devices like VoIP phones, wireless access points, and security cameras. 802.3at, also known as PoE+, provides up to 30 watts of power per port, which is more than needed for most VoIP phones and could indicate a more costly infrastructure than necessary. The other options, 802.3ad and 802.3bt, are incorrect. 802.3ad is actually a standard for link aggregation and not related to PoE, and 802.3bt is an extension to the original PoE standards, supporting up to 60 or 100 watts per port, which is also excessive for standard VoIP phone requirements.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) allows companies to rent IT infrastructure, including servers and virtual machines (VMs), storage, and networks, while retaining full control over the OS and applications. This is suitable for companies that want flexibility and control over their infrastructure without the need to manage physical hardware.

The correct answer is 'Setting up a virtual machine with the required older version of the operating system'. This is the best solution because it allows the company to create an isolated environment in which the legacy application can operate without being impeded by hardware or software compatibility issues found in modern systems. The other options do not address the need to run a legacy application on an unsupported operating system, hence they are incorrect for this specific scenario.

For the PSU to function correctly without damage, the technician must manually switch the PSU voltage input selector from 110-120 VAC to 220-240 VAC to match the electrical outlet specification. Power supply units with a manual voltage selector can be adjusted to suit the local power grid voltage; failure to set the correct input voltage can result in PSU damage. Configuring the workstations with an automatic voltage regulator would not alter the required PSU input settings. Checking the wattage rating is important for overall power requirements but does not relate directly to the voltage input issue described. While ensuring proper ventilation is generally good practice, it is not the root cause of the failures based on the information provided.

Correct: Dust or dirt on internal optical components can block light and cause a dim image, so cleaning the optical path is a valid remedy.

Incorrect options:

• The lamp is one possible cause, but a dim image is not always caused by an aging lamp.
• On most projectors the lamp-hour counter must be reset manually after the bulb is replaced; it does not reset itself automatically.
• Selecting Eco or power-saving mode purposefully reduces lamp power, so user settings can affect brightness.

Therefore, the dust-related statement is the only fully accurate option.

Updating the Preferred Roaming List (PRL) on the user's device can resolve issues with cell signal and call drops, especially while traveling, as it provides the phone with updated information about which cell towers to connect to for the best service coverage. Resetting network settings would also refresh the device's connection with the network but does not specifically update the PRL. Updating the operating system does not directly affect the device's ability to connect to the best tower unless there is a specific bug related to mobile connectivity in the current version. Changing the device's location services modifies how the device uses GPS for location-based applications, which does not correlate directly with cellular network connectivity issues.

Application virtualization is particularly useful for running software that was designed for outdated operating systems on modern systems, which directly applies to the scenario of providing access to a legacy software tool. Migrating workstation OS is not specific to application virtualization and generally involves upgrading or changing the operating system on a physical machine. Reduced hardware dependency refers to the decreased need for specific hardware when using virtual machines, which is a broader concept of virtualization and not the direct benefit sought in this scenario. While increased portability is a feature of virtualization, the scenario specifically highlights the need to use legacy software on modern systems, which is a classic case for application virtualization.

Capacitive trackpads detect very small changes in an electrostatic field. A thin film of moisture, sweat, or dirt can register as additional touches, so the pointer appears to jump or drift. Cleaning and drying the pad usually restores normal tracking.

Out-of-date or corrupted drivers can also cause touchpad-only problems, but those issues usually appear after an operating-system or driver update and are less common than surface contamination. Re-calibrating sensitivity or disabling multi-touch features affects how intentional input is interpreted, not the phantom touches produced by contaminants.

Hardware Virtualization or Virtualization Technology is a feature of many modern CPUs that allows a single processor to act like multiple individual systems, called virtual machines (VMs). This feature enables the CPU to run multiple operating systems on one physical hardware platform by managing the division and scheduling of resources in an efficient manner. It is a critical capability for running virtual environments used in many businesses to maximize hardware utilization and isolate different computing tasks.

PCIe (PCI Express) is the modern standard for expansion slots and is designated by its number of lanes, such as x1, x4, x8, and x16. A higher number of lanes provides greater bandwidth, which is critical for components like high-end graphics cards that typically use x16 slots. While the PCIe standard technically includes a x32 configuration, it is not found on common hardware. The other options are incorrect: PCI and AGP are legacy slot types that do not use this lane-based naming convention, and CNR was a specialized, obsolete riser slot.

Dot-matrix impact printers create images by striking an ink-soaked ribbon with a print head. When characters appear light or incomplete, the ribbon is usually depleted or worn. Replacing the ribbon cartridge restores ink transfer. Cleaning inkjet nozzles, replacing a laser fuser, or emptying a waste-toner bottle apply to other printer technologies and will not resolve this symptom on an impact printer.