CompTIA A+ Practice Test (220-1201)

Server Message Block (SMB), also called Common Internet File System (CIFS), is Microsoft's file-sharing protocol. Modern implementations run directly over TCP port 445 and are commonly used by NAS devices to provide file and printer shares to Windows systems. NFS uses port 2049, FTP uses ports 20 and 21, and SMTP uses port 25, none of which match the scenario.

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is the correct answer because it is a network management protocol used to automate the process of configuring devices on IP networks, thus allowing them to use network services such as DNS, NTP, and any communication on an IP network. DHCP enables devices to receive an IP address automatically and ensures that addresses are unique to prevent IP conflicts, which are essential features for managing the distribution of IP addresses on a local network. DNS, while fundamental for resolving hostnames to IP addresses, does not handle the distribution of IP addresses. Filesharing services are used for sharing files across the network and Syslog is used for logging system messages; neither has a role in managing IP address distribution.

The most logical initial step when approaching a problem with potential data loss or corruption is to check the status of any storage drives, as they directly deal with data. The LED status indicators and S.M.A.R.T. status can quickly reveal if there are hardware issues with the storage drives that could lead to data loss or corruption. Checking for missing or damaged files would typically be done after confirming that the hardware is fully operational, as file issues can be a symptom of drive distress. Recreating user profiles and conducting antivirus scans are secondary actions that address system integrity and security concerns after hardware issues have been ruled out or taken care of.

By using Microsoft's Outlook app, the synchronization process with Microsoft 365 is done securely and efficiently, as it is designed to work seamlessly with Microsoft's email, calendar, and contact services, and often aligns with corporate security policies that may include remote management features and encryption. A third-party mail app may not always adhere to the corporate security policies, as it could lack certain security features or data handling protocols. Enabling only IMAP would synchronize emails only and not calendar or contact data. Lastly, manual setup using Exchange protocols could work but isn't recommended over the Outlook app, as it is more complex and error-prone.

Non-secure IMAP services typically use port 143. This is the default unencrypted port for IMAP, the protocol that deals with managing and retrieving email. On the other hand, port 993 is used if secure IMAP (IMAP over SSL) is configured. Port 110 is for POP3 (Post Office Protocol), another email retrieval protocol but typically used for downloading emails to the local client. Finally, port 25 is used for SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) for sending emails, not receiving.

Because replacing the monitor did not eliminate the green tint, the next logical step is to inspect the connection between the PC and display. A loose, damaged, or bent-pin video cable can drop one or more color channels, producing a noticeable tint. Re-seating or replacing the cable is a quick, low-cost step before pursuing driver updates or hardware replacement.

A community cloud is designed to be used by multiple organizations that have common interests, such as security requirements or compliance considerations. It allows them to share infrastructure, resources, and services, while meeting their shared needs. Other models such as private and public clouds serve different purposes: a private cloud is for a single organization, and a public cloud is available to the general public.

Serial ATA (SATA) uses a narrow 7-conductor data cable inside the computer case to link hard drives to the motherboard. Parallel ATA (PATA/IDE) ribbon cables were common in older systems, Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) is typically found in servers and workstations, and NVMe M.2 drives plug directly into a slot rather than using a separate data cable.

Because this is an existing system and the operating system files themselves are probably still present, the most common cause of the message is a damaged boot record or partition table. Rebuilding the Master Boot Record (MBR)-or the corresponding boot data on a GUID Partition Table (GPT) disk-restores the information that the firmware uses to locate and start the OS boot loader. Rebooting rarely fixes a corrupted boot sector, resizing partitions with diskpart will not repair boot code, and chkdsk targets file-system errors rather than boot-sector corruption.

High-end GPUs are designed for the PCI Express ×16 interface. A PCIe ×16 graphics card can use all 16 lanes provided by the slot, delivering far more bandwidth than legacy PCI or AGP cards and far more than a PCIe ×1 device. Installing any other card type in this slot would either fail (AGP, which is physically different), operate at lower bandwidth (PCI, PCIe ×1), or fail to provide GPU functionality.

Cloud-based file-synchronization clients cache edits made while offline but cannot propagate those changes to other devices until they can reach the provider's servers. Therefore, both devices need active Internet connectivity for real-time synchronization. Local power state, Bluetooth connectivity, or one-sided connectivity alone will not allow the second device to receive the update until it, too, is online.

A biometric scan (fingerprint or facial recognition) is an inherence factor-"something the user is"-and therefore different from the SMS one-time code, which is a possession factor-"something the user has". Using two different categories of factors provides true MFA and, in most environments, biometrics are considered stronger and more phishing-resistant than a knowledge factor such as a passcode.

While a complex device passcode is also a valid knowledge factor, it does not offer the same level of resistance to phishing or shoulder-surfing attacks as biometrics. Placing email in a secure folder does not add an authentication factor, and adding recovery email addresses is an account-recovery step, not authentication.

Installing DDR5 (Double Data Rate 5) memory delivers the largest step-up in bandwidth over previous generations-starting at 4800 MT/s versus DDR4's 3200 MT/s-and operates at a lower voltage (≈1.1 V vs. 1.2 V). These changes provide noticeably higher throughput and better power efficiency for processor-intensive tasks like video rendering. Adding more DDR3 or DDR4 modules would not reach comparable performance, and adjusting the paging file is a software change that cannot match the benefits of faster physical RAM.

A network tap is a hardware device that allows for the non-intrusive monitoring of network traffic. It is used to capture and analyze the data flowing through a network segment without disrupting the network's normal operation. Network taps are commonly employed for various purposes, including network troubleshooting, security monitoring, and performance analysis. A loopback plug tests a device's network port, a cable tester verifies the physical integrity of a cable, and a toner probe is used to trace a specific cable within a bundle.

In any case wherein a system can't find the bootable device, especially when dealing with a mirrored set of drives purposed for redundancy, checking the physical connections is a fast and straightforward initial diagnosis to see if the error is related to simple issues such as loose cables. This step may quickly solve the problem since if the system can't properly communicate with the storage devices, it will not be able to boot or recognize either of them.