IT Specialist Comprehensive Test Vocabulary Flashcards

154 flashcards covering key terms, concepts, protocols, ports, and models from the IT Specialist Comprehensive Test lecture transcript.

Network Layer (Layer 3)

The OSI layer that uses IP addresses.

HTTPS Port

Port 443, used by the HTTPS protocol.

DNS Port

Port 53, used by the DNS protocol.

TCP Connection Model

Connection-oriented network protocol.

Router

A network device that routes traffic between different networks.

Domain Name System (DNS)

Translates known domain names (e.g. www.google.com) into IP addresses for users to connect across the network.

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)

Automatically provides devices with IP addresses and other network settings such as subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server addresses.

RAID 1

Uses mirroring, which stores duplicate data on two separate drives to ensure a backup is available if one drive fails.

RAID 0

Uses striping, which stores blocks of data on two separate drives to speed up read and write performance.

RAID 10

A RAID setup where data across sets of drives is striped (RAID 0) and duplicated within each set (RAID 1); simple terms: RAID 0 of RAID 1s.

Recovery Time Objective (RTO)

A metric defining how quickly systems must be restored to proper working conditions.

Recovery Point Objective (RPO)

A metric defining how much data loss an organization can afford, measured in time (e.g., lost n minutes of data).

Active Directory

Microsoft's directory service that stores users, computers, groups, printers, and policies.

Group Policy Object (GPO)

Allows IT administrators to configure operating systems, applications, and user settings across an entire network.

Authentication vs. Authorization

Authentication asks 'who you are', whereas Authorization asks 'what are you allowed to do'.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Authentication requiring Something You Know AND (Something You Have OR Something You Are).

Least Privilege

A practice of giving users only the permissions necessary to do their jobs.

Incident

An unplanned interruption to a service.

Problem

The root cause or 'why' behind an incident.

Change Management

The process of controlling and managing risk when making IT system changes such as software upgrades, server migrations, and firewall changes.

Service Level Agreement (SLA)

An agreement that defines the expected level of service.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Cloud usage of a virtual machine where the customer controls the OS, applications, and data, while the provider manages hardware (e.g., Azure Virtual Machine).

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Cloud model where the customer controls applications and data, while the provider manages hardware and OS (e.g., Azure App Service).

Software as a Service (SaaS)

Usage of software delivered over the internet from a cloud provider (e.g., Microsoft 365).

Public Cloud

An IT architecture where a third party provides IT resources (servers, storage, software) over the internet to the general public.

Hybrid Cloud

An IT architecture that connects a company's on-premises infrastructure (private cloud) with public cloud services.

Primary Key

A unique identifier for a given record in a database table.

Foreign Key

An identifier that connects a record across different database tables by linking to another table's primary key.

SELECT Statement

A database command used to select and retrieve given records.

WHERE Clause

Filters data in database searches to return records matching specified conditions.

Database Join

Combining two tables based upon a related foreign key.

Database Normalization

The process of organizing data in a database to reduce redundancy, organize data into related tables, and improve data integrity.

Confidentiality

Protecting information from unauthorized access.

Integrity

Ensuring that data remains accurate.

Availability

Ensuring that data and systems are accessible when needed.

Phishing

The process where fraudulent emails or sites attempt to steal information from a user.

Ransomware

Software that encrypts files on a hard drive until a ransom is paid.

Port 3389

Port used by Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).

Port 22

Port used by Secure Shell (SSH).

Port 25

Port used by Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP).

Port 80

Port used by Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

Port 443

Port used by HTTP Secure (HTTPS).

Port 53

Port used by Domain Name System (DNS).

Port 389

Port used by Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP).

Hub vs. Switch

A hub broadcasts data to every connected device causing traffic collisions, whereas a switch uses MAC addresses to send data only to the intended destination.

MAC Address Device Usage

A switch utilizes MAC addresses to forward data correctly.

IP Address Device Usage

A router utilizes IP addresses to direct network traffic.

Hot Site

A fully operational recovery site with minimal downtime; the most expensive recovery site option.

Cold Site

An empty building recovery site with power and network access; has the longest downtime and is the cheapest option.

Warm Site

A partially configured recovery site with moderate downtime.

OSI Layer 7 (Application)

Responsible for user interaction; examples include HTTPS, SMTP, and FTP.

OSI Layer 6 (Presentation)

Responsible for encryption and compression; examples include SSL and TLS.

OSI Layer 5 (Session)

Responsible for establishing a session; an example is NetBIOS.

OSI Layer 4 (Transport)

Responsible for reliable delivery; examples include TCP and UDP.

OSI Layer 3 (Network)

Responsible for routing; an example is IP Addresses.

OSI Layer 2 (Data Link)

Responsible for MAC Addressing; an example is Ethernet.

OSI Layer 1 (Physical)

Responsible for cables and signals; examples include copper wiring and fiber.

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) Features

Connection-oriented, reliable protocol with acknowledgements and error checking; used for web browsing, emails, file transfers, and remote login.

User Datagram Protocol (UDP) Features

Connectionless, faster protocol with no acknowledgements or retransmissions; used for streaming, VoIP, gaming, and video conferencing.

Guaranteed Delivery Transport Protocol

TCP, required when guaranteed data delivery (e.g., payroll data) is necessary.

FTP Port

Port 20/21.

SSH Port

Port 22.

TelNet Port

Port 23.

SMTP Port

Port 25.

DNS Port Standard

Port 53.

DHCP Port

Port 67/68.

HTTP Port Standard

Port 80.

POP3 Port

Port 110.

NTP Port

Port 123.

IMAP Port

Port 143.

LDAP Port

Port 389.

HTTPS Port Standard

Port 443.

SMB Port

Port 445.

RDP Port

Port 3389.

Hub

A Layer 1 networking device that inefficiently broadcasts incoming data to all connected ports.

Switch

A Layer 2 networking device that uses MAC addresses to connect multiple devices together to form a local area network (LAN).

Router Aspect

A Layer 3 networking device that uses IP addresses to connect different networks.

Wireless Access Point (WAP)

A device that provides WiFi access to connect devices wirelessly.

Modem

A device that connects a local network to an Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Active Directory Data

Stores users, computers, groups, printers, and policies.

Active Directory Common Management Tasks

Password resets, unlocking accounts, creating users, disabling accounts, and managing groups.

Group Policy Object (GPO) Functionality

Used to centrally manage Windows systems, password requirements, desktop restrictions, drive mappings, and software deployment as a rulebook in Active Directory.

Password Expiration Policy Enforcement Solution

Group Policy Object (GPO).

Authentication Definition

Answers 'Who are you?' using mechanisms such as username/password, MFA, and smart cards.

Authorization Definition

Answers 'What are you allowed to do?' controlling access through file permissions and application rights.

NTFS (New Technology File System)

The main file system used by Windows to control permissions such as read, write, modify, and full control.

ITSM (IT Service Management)

A structured way for an IT team to plan, build, deliver, and support IT services using ticketing systems and formal processes.

Incident Management Goal

To restore normal service operation as soon as possible after an unplanned interruption (such as an offline printer or email outage).

Problem Management Purpose

To identify root causes of incidents by investigating the underlying 'why'.

Change Management Benefits

Controlling risk during system upgrades/migrations, delivering reduced outages, better planning, and documentation.

SLA Metrics Example

Defines expected service responses (e.g., critical ticket responded to in 1 hour and resolved in 8 hours).

Cloud Computing Definition

The delivery of computing services such as data storage, servers, databases, networking, and software over the internet.

Five Characteristics of Cloud Computing

1) On-demand self-service, 2) Broad Network Access, 3) Resource Pooling, 4) Rapid Elasticity, and 5) Measured Service.

IaaS Architecture

The base cloud computing layer where the customer manages OS, applications, and data, while provider manages hardware (e.g., AWS EC2, Azure VM).

PaaS Architecture

A cloud model supplying an environment for building, testing, and managing software; provider manages hardware and OS, customer manages applications and data.

SaaS Architecture

A cloud model delivering software over the internet where provider manages hardware, OS, storage, and application, while customer manages data input and configuration.

Public Cloud Attributes

Cloud resources built, controlled, maintained by a third-party provider and available for purchase by the general public over the internet.

Private Cloud Attributes

A cloud environment dedicated entirely to a single organization, offering high control at greater cost.

Hybrid Cloud Capability

Interconnected public and private cloud environment allowing private clouds to surge to the public cloud during temporary high demand.

RAID 0 Pros & Cons

Advantage: Fast performance via striping. Disadvantage: No fault tolerance/redundancy.