IT Support Fundamentals – Set 1

30 IT Support flashcards covering networking, Windows, Active Directory, troubleshooting, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and help desk fundamentals. Designed for technical knowledge review and entry-level IT support interview preparation.

What does DHCP do?

Automatically assigns IP addresses and other network settings to devices.

What does DNS do?

Translates domain names into IP addresses.

What is an IP address?

A logical address used to identify and communicate with a device on an IP network.

What is a MAC address?

A hardware-layer address associated with a network interface.

What does ping test?

Whether a destination responds to ICMP echo requests and the round-trip time.

What does ipconfig display on Windows?

IP configuration information for network adapters.

What is the purpose of tracert?

Shows the network hops packets take toward a destination.

What is a default gateway?

The router a device uses to reach networks outside its local subnet.

What is a LAN?

A local area network connecting devices in a limited area.

What is a VPN?

An encrypted connection that can provide secure access across an untrusted network.

What can cause Wi-Fi interference?

Nearby networks, overlapping channels, physical obstacles, and other radio devices.

What should you check first if a wired computer loses connectivity?

Physical cable connections, link lights, and the network adapter status.

What is Active Directory used for?

Centralized management of users, computers, groups, and access in a Windows domain.

What is ADUC?

Active Directory Users and Computers, a tool for managing directory objects.

What is Group Policy?

A Windows domain feature for centrally applying configuration and security settings.

What does a domain controller do?

Authenticates domain users and provides Active Directory services.

What is the difference between NTFS and share permissions?

NTFS permissions control file-system access; share permissions control access through a network share.

What is the principle of least privilege?

Give users only the permissions needed to perform their tasks.

What is MFA?

Multi-factor authentication requires proof from two or more distinct authentication factors.

What does encryption at rest protect?

Stored data on disks or other storage systems.

What does encryption in transit protect?

Data while it travels between systems.

What is the shared responsibility model in cloud computing?

The cloud provider and customer each have security responsibilities that depend on the service model.

What is IaaS?

Infrastructure as a Service provides virtualized compute, storage, and networking resources.

What is PaaS?

Platform as a Service provides a managed environment for building and deploying applications.

What is SaaS?

Software as a Service delivers applications over a network, usually through a browser or app.

What is a virtual machine?

A software-defined computer that runs an operating system on virtualized hardware.

What is a troubleshooting ticket?

A record of a user's issue, steps taken, status, and resolution or escalation.

When should an IT support issue be escalated?

When it exceeds your permissions, expertise, service-level limits, or involves significant risk.

What should you do after applying a troubleshooting fix?

Verify the original problem is resolved and document the result.

What is a knowledge base?

A shared collection of documented problems, procedures, and solutions.