Syllabus

CompTIA | IT Fundamentals+ (Exam: FC0-U61) Course Outlines:

Topic	Details
IT Concepts and Terminology 17%
Compare and contrast notational systems 🎥	1. Binary 2. Hexadecimal 3. Decimal 4. Data representation ASCII Unicode
Compare and contrast fundamental data types and their characteristics.🎥	1. Char 2. Strings 3. Numbers Integers Floats 4. Boolean
Illustrate the basics of computing and processing.🎥	1. Input 2. Processing 3. Output 4. Storage
Explain the value of data and information.	1. Data and information as assets 2. Importance of investing in security 3. Relationship of data to creating information 4. Intellectual property Trademarks Copyright Patents 5. Digital products 6. Data-driven business decisions Data capture and collection Data correlation Meaningful reporting
Compare and contrast common units of measure.	1. Storage unit Bit Byte KB MB GB TB PB 2. Throughput unit bps Kbps Mbps Gbps Tbps 3. Processing speed MHz GHz
Explain the troubleshooting methodology.	1. Identify the problem Gather information Duplicate the problem, if possible Question users Identify symptoms Determine if anything has changed Approach multiple problems individually 2. Establish a theory of probable cause Question the obvious Consider multiple approaches Divide and conquer 3. Test the theory to determine the cause Once the theory is confirmed (confirmed root cause), determine the next steps to resolve the problem If the theory is not confirmed, establish a new theory or escalate 4. Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and identify potential effects 5. Implement the solution or escalate as necessary 6. Verify full system functionality and, if applicable, implement preventive measures 7. Document findings/lessons learned, actions, and outcomes
Infrastructure 22%
Classify common types of input/output device interfaces.	1. Networking Wired Telephone connector (RJ-11) Ethernet connector (RJ-45) Wireless Bluetooth NFC 2. Peripheral device USB FireWire Thunderbolt Bluetooth RF 3. Graphic device VGA HDMI DVI DisplayPort Mini DisplayPort
Given a scenario, set up and install common peripheral devices to a laptop/PC.	1. Devices Printer Scanner Keyboard Mouse Camera External hard drive Speakers Display 2. Installation types Plug-and-play vs. driver installation Other required steps IP-based peripherals Web-based configuration steps
Explain the purpose of common internal computing components.	1. Motherboard/system board 2. Firmware/BIOS 3. RAM 4. CPU ARM Mobile phone Tablet 32-bit Laptop Workstation Server 64-bit Laptop Workstation Server 5. Storage Hard drive SSD 6. GPU 7. Cooling 8. NIC Wired vs. wireless On-board vs. add-on card
Compare and contrast common Internet service types.	1. Fiber optic 2. Cable 3. DSL 4. Wireless Radio frequency Satellite Cellular
Compare and contrast storage types.	1. Volatile vs. non-volatile 2. Local storage types RAM Hard drive Solid state vs. spinning disk Optical Flash drive 3. Local network storage types NAS File server 4. Cloud storage service
Compare and contrast common computing devices and their purposes.	1. Mobile phones 2. Tablets 3. Laptops 4. Workstations 5. Servers 6. Gaming consoles 7. IoT Home appliances Home automation devices Thermostats Security systems Modern cars IP cameras Streaming media devices Medical devices
Explain basic networking concepts.	1. Basics of network communication Basics of packet transmission DNS URL-to-IP translation LAN vs. WAN 2. Device addresses IP address MAC address 3. Basic protocols HTTP/S POP3 IMAP SMTP 4. Devices Modem Router Switch Access point Firewall
Given a scenario, install, configure and secure a basic wireless network.	1. 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Older vs. newer standards Speed limitations Interference and attenuation factors 2. Best practices Change SSID Change default password Encrypted vs. unencrypted Open - Captive portal WEP WPA WPA2
Applications and Software 18%
Explain the purpose of operating systems.	1. Interface between applications and hardware 2. Disk management 3. Process management/scheduling Kill process/end task 4. Application management 5. Memory management 6. Device management 7. Access control/protection 8. Types of OS Mobile device OS Workstation OS Server OS Embedded OS Firmware Hypervisor (Type 1)
Compare and contrast components of an operating system.	1. File systems and features File systems NTFS FAT32 HFS Ext4 2. Features Compression Encryption Permissions Journaling Limitations Naming rules 3. File management Folders/directories File types and extensions Permissions 4. Services 5. Processes 6. Drivers 7. Utilities Task scheduling 8. Interfaces Console/command line GUI
Explain the purpose and proper use of software.	1. Productivity software Word processing software Spreadsheet software Presentation software Web browser Visual diagramming software 2. Collaboration software Email client Conferencing software Instant messaging software Online workspace Document sharing 3. Business software Database software Project management software Business-specific applications Accounting software
Explain methods of application architecture and delivery models.	1. Application delivery methods Locally installed Network not required Application exists locally Files saved locally Local network hosted Network required Internet access not required Cloud hosted Internet access required Service required Files saved in the cloud 2. Application architecture models One tier Two tier Three tier n-tier
Given a scenario, configure and use web browsers.	1. Caching/clearing cache 2. Deactivate client-side scripting 3. Browser add-ons/extensions Add Remove Enable/disable 4. Private browsing 5. Proxy settings 6. Certificates Valid Invalid 7. Popup blockers 8. Script blockers 9. Compatible browser for application(s)
Compare and contrast general application concepts and uses.	1. Single-platform software 2. Cross-platform software Compatibility concerns 3. Licensing Single use Group use/site license Concurrent license Open source vs. proprietary Subscription vs. one-time purchase Product keys and serial numbers 4. Software installation best practices Reading instructions Reading agreements Advanced options
Software Development 12%
Compare and contrast programming language categories.	1. Interpreted Scripting languages Scripted languages Markup languages 2. Compiled programming languages 3. Query languages 4. Assembly language
Given a scenario, use programming organizational techniques and interpret logic.	1. Organizational techniques Pseudocode concepts Flow-chart concepts Sequence 2. Logic components Branching Looping
Explain the purpose and use of programming concepts.	1. Identifiers Variables Constants 2. Containers Arrays Vectors 3. Functions 4. Objects Properties Attributes Methods
Database Fundamentals 11%
Explain database concepts and the purpose of a database.	1. Usage of database Create Import/input Query Reports 2. Flat file vs. database Multiple concurrent users Scalability Speed Variety of data 3. Records 4. Storage Data persistence
Compare and contrast various database structures.	1. Structured vs. semi-structured vs. non-structured 2. Relational databases Schema Tables Rows/records Fields/columns Primary key Foreign key Constraints 3. Non-relational databases Key/value databases Document databases
Summarize methods used to interface with databases.	1. Relational methods Data manipulation Select Insert Delete Update Data definition Create Alter Drop Permissions 2. Database access methods Direct/manual access Programmatic access User interface/utility access Query/report builders 3. Export/import Database dump Backup
Security 20%
Summarize confidentiality, integrity and availability concerns.	1. Confidentiality concerns Snooping Eavesdropping Wiretapping Social engineering Dumpster diving 2. Integrity concerns Man-in-the-middle Replay attack Impersonation Unauthorized information alteration 3. Availability concerns Denial of service Power outage Hardware failure Destruction Service outage
Explain methods to secure devices and best practices.	1. Securing devices (mobile/workstation) Antivirus/Anti-malware Host firewall Changing default passwords Enabling passwords Safe browsing practices Patching/updates 2. Device use best practices Software sources Validating legitimate sources Researching legitimate sources OEM websites vs. third-party websites Removal of unwanted software Removal of unnecessary software Removal of malicious software
Summarize behavioral security concepts.	1. Expectations of privacy when using: The Internet Social networking sites Email File sharing Instant messaging Mobile applications Desktop software Business software Corporate network 2. Written policies and procedures 3. Handling of confidential information Passwords Personal information Customer information Company confidential information
Compare and contrast authentication, authorization, accounting and non-repudiation concepts.	1. Authentication Single factor Multifactor Examples of factors Password PIN One-time password Software token Hardware token Biometrics Specific location Security questions Single sign-on 2. Authorization Permissions Least privilege model Role-based access User account types Rule-based access Mandatory access controls Discretionary access controls 3. Accounting Logs Tracking Web browser history 4. Non-repudiation Video Biometrics Signature Receipt
Explain password best practices.	1. Password length 2. Password complexity 3. Password history 4. Password expiration 5. Password reuse across sites 6. Password managers 7. Password reset process
Explain common uses of encryption.	1. Plain text vs. cipher text 2. Data at rest File level Disk level Mobile device 3. Data in transit Email HTTPS VPN Mobile application
Explain business continuity concepts.	1. Fault tolerance Replication Redundancy Data Network Power Backup considerations Data - File backups - Critical data - Database - OS backups Location - Stored locally - Cloud storage - On-site vs. off-site Contingency plan 2. Disaster recovery Data restoration Prioritization Restoring access