CompTIA A+ Practice Test (220-1201)

The correct answer is 'Server Message Block (SMB)/Common Internet File System (CIFS)'. In Windows environments, SMB is the primary protocol used for sharing resources like files and printers across a network. While other protocols are essential for network operation, they do not serve this specific function. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is for sending email, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is used for dynamically assigning IP addresses, and Domain Name System (DNS) is used for resolving hostnames to IP addresses.

Hyper-V is a native hypervisor installed onto some Windows 10 and Windows Server operating systems. It is important to note that Hyper-V is not supported on Windows 10 Home. LXD is a hypervisor that runs on Linux operating systems and ESXi is a proprietary hypervisor from VMWare that runs directly on a host machine (bare metal) without the need for a host operating system.

Sandboxing is a popular use of virtual machines (VMs) on client-side environments, allowing software to be executed in a controlled and isolated environment. This is particularly useful for testing untrusted software or code without risk to the host system or network. While other reasons for using VMs exist, sandboxing provides the advantage of security and isolation.

The operating system sends print jobs to whichever device is configured as the default printer. Verifying (and if necessary changing) the default-printer setting ensures Michael's documents go to the correct device without affecting other network printers. Other actions (such as restarting the spooler, updating drivers, or removing printers) do not directly address default routing and may create additional issues.

Before proceeding with any troubleshooting steps, it is crucial to perform a system backup if applicable. This ensures that any current data can be restored if something goes wrong during troubleshooting. Since the issue arose after new software was installed, it is logical to suspect that the new software could be related, but no changes should be made to the system before ensuring that the user's data is safely backed up. Informing the user about unplugging the computer from the power source does not directly relate to protecting user data and may not be suitable for all shutdown issues. Reinstalling the operating system without a backup is an extreme measure that risks data loss and should not be done without prior backups. Upgrading the system hardware without backing up data or further investigation may not address the issue correctly and can lead to unnecessary costs or complications.

Geostationary satellite links introduce very high latency (often 500 ms or more) because every packet must travel about 35,000 km to space and back. That delay causes noticeable echo and talk-over on VoIP calls and degrades other real-time applications such as video conferencing. Satellite service is also susceptible to weather outages (rain-fade). The indoor satellite modem usually presents a standard RJ-45 Ethernet hand-off, so rewiring the local network is unnecessary, and normal IP-based encryption (HTTPS, VPN, etc.) works over satellite just like any other medium.

Because the CRM is hosted on the company's intranet, the laptop must first be logically attached to that network. Establishing a corporate VPN tunnel authenticates the user and routes traffic to internal resources. Changing local firewall settings, adding browser extensions, or updating antivirus software does not create the required network path and therefore will not allow the user to reach the CRM.

Application virtualization allows developers to create virtual instances of their applications that can run across different operating systems without needing multiple physical machines or extensive manual setup. This is especially useful for testing and development environments.

If the toner is not fusing correctly to the paper, that indicates an issue with the fuser assembly, which is responsible for bonding the toner to the paper through heat and pressure. The fuser assembly either isn't reaching the necessary temperature or isn't maintaining it. The other options listed are less likely causes of this specific problem because they do not directly impact the fuser assembly's function.

Setting up a Microsoft 365 account for email synchronization is the most efficient method for a traveling user to maintain consistency across multiple devices. Microsoft 365 allows for seamless integration of mail, calendar, and contacts and offers the flexibility to synchronize this data on any device with internet connectivity. A bonus is the capability to work offline and later sync when connected.

A Mail Exchanger (MX) record directs the flow of email by specifying the mail server responsible for accepting email messages for the domain and is essential for any domain that intends to receive emails. In contrast, an 'A' record links a domain to an IP address for general purpose use, and 'AAAA' records are similar but for IPv6 addresses. A 'CNAME' record creates an alias for a domain, which is not applicable for directing email traffic.

RAID 1 mirrors (duplicates) all data on each disk in the array. If any one drive fails, the data remains available on the surviving drive(s), so no permanent data loss occurs until additional failures happen. Other listed RAID levels cannot tolerate a single-disk failure without risking data loss (RAID 0) or rely on parity calculations rather than mirroring (RAID 5), or combine striping and mirroring in nested form (RAID 10).

The most important factor that the technician should consider is the type and speed of the RAM supported by the laptop's motherboard. RAM modules can vary by their standard, such as DDR3, DDR4, or DDR5, and their speed, measured in MHz. Using a module that is not supported by the motherboard can either lead to suboptimal performance or, more likely, the laptop will not function with the incompatible RAM installed. Different RAM generations are not physically or electrically backward or forward compatible.

Cursor drift that persists after removing an external mouse often points to a built-in touchpad that is overly sensitive, has a driver fault, or is physically damaged. Temporarily disabling the touchpad forces the system to rely on an external pointing device and confirms whether the touchpad is the source of the unwanted movement. Replacing the mouse or checking arrow keys and Scroll Lock are unlikely to stop drift that still occurs with the mouse disconnected.

European mains voltage is standardized at 230 V, with a tolerance typically between 220 V and 240 V. A computer's power supply unit (PSU) must be able to accept this input voltage. Many modern PSUs are auto-ranging or have a manual selector switch. Selecting a PSU that only supports 110-120 V, or using the incorrect setting on a manual switch, would likely damage the unit and potentially other system components due to overvoltage.

When a fingerprint reader is unresponsive, verifying that the biometric device is enabled and functioning in the device manager is an essential step. If the device is disabled or has an error, it may appear unresponsive to the user. Restarting the biometric service can resolve issues if the service that manages biometric devices has stopped or malfunctioned. Resetting the user's biometric profile or updating system software would typically follow after confirming the hardware status and ensuring that the essential services are operational.

A 2.5-inch solid-state drive (SSD) will provide significantly better data access speeds and shock resistance compared to a mechanical hard drive, and it will fit in the mobile device's existing 2.5-inch drive slot. While an M.2 SSD could offer even better performance, the scenario implies the device has a 2.5-inch drive bay and does not mention a compatible M.2 slot, making the 2.5-inch SSD the best compatible option.

High availability is the correct answer because it ensures that computing resources remain accessible and operational with minimal or no noticeable downtime. By prioritizing high availability, the company selects a cloud provider that builds redundancy and automated failover into its infrastructure, keeping the web application online even during hardware failures or maintenance. Other characteristics-shared resources, metered utilization, and rapid elasticity-offer cost or scalability benefits but do not specifically guarantee constant uptime, so they are incorrect in this context.

Near-Field Communication (NFC) is a very short-range wireless technology that establishes a connection when two NFC-enabled devices are brought within a few centimeters of each other. The action of tapping the devices together initiates the NFC connection. For small files, the transfer can happen directly over NFC. For larger files, NFC is often used to quickly establish a connection and then hand off ('bootstrap') the actual data transfer to a faster technology, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, and Infrared are all methods for wireless file transfer, but none of them are initiated by simply tapping the devices together in this manner.

If users are experiencing intermittent wireless connectivity, the best initial step is to check for sources of interference. Wireless signals can be disrupted by a variety of factors, such as other wireless devices, cordless phones, microwaves, or even large metal objects and walls. Addressing interference often resolves the intermittent connectivity issue. Updating the device drivers could resolve issues related to the hardware functioning improperly, but is less likely to be a cause of intermittent signal loss or impact many users at once. Checking for IP address conflicts is a possible step if network devices are having connectivity issues, but this does not typically cause an intermittent drop in signal. Lastly, enabling QoS settings on the router can improve the quality of service for certain applications but would not resolve the fundamental issue of signal loss.