CompTIA Tech+ Lesson's 1-7

Copyright

Protects original expression in creative works; prohibits others from reprinting or plagiarizing material without permission.

Trademark

Protects words, phrases, symbols, and designs associated with a company or brand (e.g., logos, slogans, and mascots).

Patent

Protects original inventions so others cannot duplicate them for profit without compensating the original inventor (e.g., machines and processes).

Input device example

Microphone

Output device example

Speaker

Processing

The essential step in which input is converted to output.

Storage device example

Memory (stores data only briefly)

RAM speed (e.g., DDR4-2400)

Runs at a frequency of 2400 MHz (2.4 GHz), describing speed rather than capacity.

Storage capacity measurement

Measured in bytes (modern RAM capacity is expressed in gigabytes/GB).

Display refresh rate

The number of times per second that a display updates, described using hertz (Hz). Typical is 60Hz.

RF signals / Wi-Fi frequency

Expressed in hertz (Hz), describing the wavelength of the RF signal rather than throughput rate.

Throughput rate

Expressed in bits per second (e.g., a Wi-Fi connection operating at 5 GHz with a data throughput rate of 1 Gbps).

How to convert binary to decimal

1. Start on the right side (worth 1) and double going left (1, 2, 4, 8, 16...). 2. If a digit is 1, take the number; if 0, ignore it. 3. Add only the numbers you took for the final answer (Rule: "Start at 1, double each step, only keep the 1s").

Disable front USB ports while keeping rear ones enabled

Devices > USB Setup > Front USB Ports

Enable hardware virtualization in firmware for virtual machines

Advanced > CPU Setup > Intel® Virtualization Technology

Temporarily turn off Secure Boot for maintenance

Security > Secure Boot

Configure PC to start up automatically after a power loss

Power > After Power Loss

Change boot order to start up from a USB CD-ROM drive

Startup > Primary Boot Sequence

RAM (Random Access Memory)

A type of memory where DDR4 is an example.

Active cooling

A type of cooling required by CPUs.

UEFI

Newer than BIOS and has more features.

Firmware

Stored on a chip on the motherboard and directs the system startup.

Gigahertz (GHz)

How CPU speed is measured.

Homeowner wanting to adjust a thermostat remotely

IoT device

Design specialist needing a computer for CAD

Workstation

Large business needing multiple servers for various network services

Rack server

Reception area with a computer shared by duty receptionists

Desktop PC

Executive taking overnight business trips needing a full-featured portable PC

Laptop

Interior decorator needing a small portable computer for client sites

Tablet

Small business wanting all employees to access the same files

Tower server

Tower Server

Looks like a desktop PC/workstation with its own monitor, keyboard, and mouse; used when a small business has just one or two servers.

Rack-Mounted Servers

Servers mounted together in a metal rack without their own monitor, keyboard, or mouse; used by businesses with multiple servers.

APFS

A modern file system for macOS; replaced the older HFS+ system.

cloud storage

Secure storage accessed via the internet.

command prompt

An interface for working with a file system using typed text commands.

directory

An organizing unit on a storage device for grouping related files (also called a folder).

disk

A storage medium consisting of one or more spinning platters, or generically any non-volatile storage medium.

disk drive

A drive used for reading disks.

Disk Management

A Windows system utility for managing storage devices.

Disk Utility

A macOS utility for managing storage devices.

eSATA

An external version of SATA offering the same speed and convenience.

ext4

The default file system on Linux PCs.

FAT32

An older file system still used today where compatibility is essential; lacks compression and encryption.

file extension

A code that appears after a file's name, separated from a period, that indicates the file's type.

file server

A computer dedicated to storing and retrieving files for multiple users on a network.

file system

A set of rules for naming, storing, and organizing files on a storage device.

flash memory

Solid-state storage that does not require electricity to retain its data.

formatting

Preparing a storage device for use, after partitioning, by establishing a file system.

GPT

GUID Partition Table, a modern partitioning scheme that has largely replaced MBR.

HDD

Hard disk drive; uses metal platters in a sealed box to store data magnetically.

HFS+

An older file system for macOS largely replaced by APFS.

M.2

A type of modern SSD interface that enables an SSD's circuit board to attach directly to the motherboard.

MBR

Master Boot Record, an older type of partitioning scheme now largely replaced by GPT.

NAS

Network-attached storage, a network-enabled box containing one or more storage drives.

non-volatile

Not subject to change; retains data even when no electricity is applied.

NTFS

New Technology File System, a modern file system used primarily on Windows systems with compression and encryption.

optical storage

Storage that uses a laser and a light sensor to detect patterns of reflectivity on a CD or DVD.

partitioning

Preparing a storage device for use by creating one or more partitions that can be formatted.

PATA

Parallel ATA, a storage interface used on older HDDs and optical drives that is now obsolete.

SATA

Serial ATA, a storage interface used on modern HDDs and some SSDs.

solid-state / SSD

Solid-state drive; a storage device that uses flash memory to store data with no moving parts.

spindle speed

A measurement of the speed at which the platters in a HDD rotate.

storage

Any medium that is able to hold data for any length of time.

volatile

Subject to change; loses its data if it is constantly refreshed.

volume

A partition with a drive letter assigned to it.

cloud backup

Written directly to storage provided by a cloud vendor.

character encoding

The storage and process of text values instead of numbers.

Executable files extension

.exe, .com

Batch files extension

.bat

Text files extension

.txt

Microsoft Word documents extension

.doc, .docx, .docm

Microsoft Excel workbooks extension

.xls, .xlsx, .xlsm

Microsoft PowerPoint presentations extension

.ppt, .pptx, .pptm

Adobe Acrobat page description files (PDFs) extension

.pdf

Graphics files extension

.jpg, .jpeg, .bmp, .gif, .png, .tif

Sound files extension

.wav, .mp3, .wma, .aac

Video files extension

.avi, .mp4, .mov

File system feature: Compression

Runs the file's code through a compression algorithm to take up less space; trade-off is performance, slightly slowing down reading and writing speed.

File system feature: Encryption

Runs the file's code through an encryption algorithm making it unreadable outside specified access permissions; slows read/write access and makes recovering data from a failing drive harder (mutually exclusive with compression in NTFS).

File system feature: Permissions

Assign access permissions to individual files and folders, which can be network-based or locally based.

File system feature: Journaling

Makes a note of each change to a file or folder before it is made to help prevent data loss during power failures (drawback is slower read/write performance).

File system limitations

Rules for file management, including requirements or limits on partition size and file size.

File naming conventions

Naming rules that vary among file systems (e.g., FAT vs. FAT32) and restrict reserved characters like / \ * ? " < > | : .

Fastest internal storage for a 3.5" drive bay needing high speed

SATA SSD

Drive needed to make a CD for a car's CD player

Optical drive

Best option to share presentation files so coworkers can access them without being logged into the network

Place them on a file server

Best cloud storage option for office PCs using Windows 11 to share files securely

OneDrive

Two likely ports a laptop uses to connect an external storage device when internal storage is full

USB and eSATA

Volume definition in storage

A storage structure that has a drive letter assigned to it, such as C: or D:

Prerequisite before using a new storage device

Partition and format

Physical size of HDDs

3.5" for desktop PCs and 2.5" for laptops (measurements refer to the diameters of the platters inside the casing).

Connector type: Desktop systems

Serial ATA (SATA) connector on modern desktop systems, where the smaller connector is for data and the larger one is for power.

Connector type: Laptop systems

Fits directly into a compartment with connectors that fit directly onto the drive without cables.

Spindle speed

Measured in revolutions per minute (rpm); related to read/write access time, with common speeds of 5400 rpm, 7200 rpm, 10,000 rpm, or 15,000 rpm.

Domain Name System

Translates between IP addresses and domain names.

Uniform Resource Locator

Another name for a website address.

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol

A protocol for sending email messages.

Dynamic Host Corporation Protocol (DHCP)

Assigns IP addresses dynamically.

MAC address firmware feature

Each device comes with a MAC address hard-coded into its firmware; on some devices it can be changed, but this is rarely done.

MAC address uniqueness

Each MAC address is globally unique; no two devices in the world share the same one.