Pass the CompTIA A+ 220-1101 Questions and answers with CertsForce

Optical media, such as CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs, are a suitable choice for backing up a large collection of DVDs and photos in the most economical way. Optical media are inexpensive, widely available, and have a long shelf life. They can store large amounts of data, up to 50GB on a dual-layer Blu-ray disc, and can be easily labeled and organized. Optical media are also less prone to mechanical failure, data corruption, or accidental deletion than hard disk drives (HDDs) or solid state drives (SSDs).

The other options are not as economical or suitable for this purpose. A 5,400rpm HDD is a slow and noisy type of HDD that has moving parts that can wear out or break. A HDD also consumes more power and generates more heat than an SSD. A M.2 NVMe SSD is a fast and compact type of SSD that uses a PCIe interface to transfer data. However, an SSD is more expensive than an HDD or optical media, and has a limited number of write cycles before it degrades. A SAS RAID array is a complex and costly system that uses multiple HDDs or SSDs connected by a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) interface to provide redundancy, performance, or both. A RAID array requires a RAID controller, a compatible motherboard, and a dedicated power supply.

The most likely cause of the issue is a defective inverter. An inverter is a device that converts the direct current (DC) power from the laptop battery or adapter to the alternating current (AC) power that the LCD backlight bulb needs. The backlight bulb is a fluorescent lamp that illuminates the LCD screen and makes the image visible. If the inverter is defective, it may not provide enough power to the backlight bulb, or it may stop working intermittently. This can result in a dim, dark, or blank screen, even though the LCD panel is still functioning and displaying a faint image.

To troubleshoot a defective inverter, the technician can follow these steps:

Connect an external monitor to the laptop and check if the image is displayed normally. If the external monitor works fine, it means that the laptop video card and driver are not the cause of the issue.

Shine a flashlight into the LCD screen and look for a faint image. If the image is visible, it means that the LCD panel is not the cause of the issue.

Check the inverter cable and connector for any damage, loose connection, or corrosion. The inverter cable is a thin wire that runs from the laptop motherboard to the inverter board, which is usually located at the bottom of the LCD screen. The inverter connector is a small plug that connects the inverter cable to the inverter board. The technician can try to reseat the inverter cable and connector, or replace them if they are faulty.

Check the inverter board for any damage, burn marks, or blown fuses. The inverter board is a small circuit board that contains the inverter and other components. The technician can try to test the inverter board with a multimeter, or replace it if it is defective.

OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) displays have lower power consumption than LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) displays because they do not require a backlight to produce light. Each pixel in an OLED display can emit its own light, which also allows for higher contrast and finer grayscale levels. However, OLED displays are more prone to color degradation over time than LCD displays, which use filters to create colors. Verified References: OLED vs LCD: How to choose the right display for your phone.

A firewall is a network device that performs stateful packet inspection, which means it analyzes incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predefined rules and filters, and allows or blocks packets based on their source, destination, protocol, port, or content. A firewall can enhance security by preventing unauthorized access, blocking malicious traffic, enforcing policies, and logging events. A firewall can be hardware-based or software-based, or a combination of both. Reference: https://www.comptia.org/training/books/a-core-1-220-1101-study-guide (page 78)

The best way to complete the upgrade with the least amount of downtime is to clone the HDD to the SSD using cloning software, and then replace the HDD with the SSD. This way, the user does not have to reinstall the operating system and applications, or copy over their data manually. The other options would either take more time or result in data loss or inaccessibility. Verified References: [How to Upgrade Your Laptop’s Hard Drive to an SSD].

High availability is a characteristic of cloud computing that prioritizes reliability. High availability means that cloud services can be accessed without interruption or failure, even in the event of a disaster or a hardware malfunction. This is achieved by using redundant components, backup systems, load balancing, and failover mechanisms. According to the CompTIA Core1 objectives, one of the benefits of cloud computing is high availability. A research paper on cloud reliability also defines high availability as the ability to provide continuous service despite faults or failures.

A scope is a term used to define a range of IP addresses available to assign using DHCP. DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, and it is a protocol that automatically assigns IP addresses and other network configuration parameters to devices on a network. A scope defines the start and end IP addresses, as well as other options, such as subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS servers.

A physical firewall is a hardware device that filters and blocks unwanted or malicious traffic from entering or leaving a network. A physical firewall can be configured with rules and policies to allow or deny traffic based on various criteria, such as source and destination IP addresses, ports, protocols, applications, etc. A physical firewall can also provide logging and monitoring capabilities to detect and prevent network attacks12.

A physical firewall is the most appropriate tool for a technician to use to mitigate threats to web clusters, which are groups of web servers that work together to provide high availability and scalability for web applications. Web clusters are often exposed to the internet and face various types of threats, such as denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, brute force attacks, SQL injection attacks, cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks, etc. A physical firewall can protect the web clusters’ public-facing interface by filtering and blocking the unwanted or malicious traffic before it reaches the web servers, thus reducing the risk of compromise or downtime34.

The other options are not as effective or relevant as a physical firewall for mitigating threats to web clusters. Device encryption is a process of transforming data into an unreadable form using a secret key, which can prevent unauthorized access to the data if the device is lost or stolen. However, device encryption does not prevent network attacks or filter traffic, and it may not apply to web clusters that use shared storage or cloud services. Intrusion detection system (IDS) is a software or hardware tool that monitors network traffic and alerts the administrator of any suspicious or malicious activity. However, IDS does not block or filter traffic, and it may not be able to prevent or stop an attack in progress. IDS is often used in conjunction with a firewall, not as a replacement. Antivirus/anti-malware is a software tool that scans and removes viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, ransomware, and other malicious software from a device. However, antivirus/anti-malware does not filter or block network traffic, and it may not be able to detect or prevent some web-based attacks, such as XSS or SQL injection. Antivirus/anti-malware is also often used in conjunction with a firewall, not as a replacement.

The correct answer is B. Duplex.

Duplex printing is the process of printing on both sides of a sheet of paper automatically or manually. Duplex printing can save paper, reduce clutter, and create professional-looking documents. To print on both sides of the paper, the printer must support duplex printing or the user must manually reinsert the pages to print the second side.

Orientation is the direction in which the paper is printed, either portrait (vertical) or landscape (horizontal). Orientation does not affect the ability to print on both sides of the paper.

Quality is the resolution or sharpness of the printed image, measured in dots per inch (dpi). Quality does not affect the ability to print on both sides of the paper.

Print tray is the part of the printer that holds and feeds the paper into the printer. Print tray does not affect the ability to print on both sides of the paper.

To enable duplex printing on a Windows PC, follow these steps1:

Open the document for printing, then select File > Print.

In Settings, select Manually Print on Both Sides, then Print.

Follow the instructions on the screen to flip and reinsert the pages.

To enable duplex printing on a Mac, follow these steps2:

Open the document for printing, then select File > Print.

In Layout, select Two-Sided, then Long-Edge binding or Short-Edge binding.

Click Print.

A PSU (power supply unit) is a component that converts the AC power from the wall outlet into DC power that the PC components can use. A faulty or failing PSU can cause random system crashes, as well as other problems such as noise, overheating, or no power at all. A PSU can fail due to various reasons, such as age, dust, power surges, or poor quality.

To troubleshoot a PSU, the technician can use a multimeter to measure the voltage output of the PSU connectors. The voltage should be within the acceptable range of the specifications. For example, the 12V rail should be between 11.4V and 12.6V. If the voltage is too low or too high, the PSU is likely defective and needs to be replaced.

Alternatively, the technician can try swapping the PSU with a known good one and see if the system crashes persist. If the system works fine with a different PSU, then the original PSU is the problem and should be replaced.

The other options are not likely to fix the random system crashes. Testing the fan speed may help to diagnose overheating issues, but it is not related to the PSU. Disabling the USB ports may help to eliminate potential conflicts with USB devices, but it is not related to the PSU. Decreasing the RAM timings may help to improve performance and stability, but it is not related to the PSU.

Using a mobile hotspot can quickly establish an internet connection for the remote user. A mobile hotspot uses cellular data to create a Wi-Fi network that the user can connect to, bypassing the need for a physical connection to the ISP. This solution is practical and efficient, especially in situations where the primary internet connection is down, and immediate connectivity is required. Mobile hotspots are widely used for their convenience and the ability to provide internet access almost anywhere cellular service is available, as highlighted in the CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) Exam Objectives in sections related to networking and mobile devices .

To route traffic to the next network. An IPv4 gateway is a device that connects two or more networks and forwards packets based on their destination IP addresses. It acts as an intermediary between a host and the rest of the internet, allowing communication across different networks. A gateway does not distribute IP addresses, generate ARP traffic, or assign APIPA addresses, as these are functions of other network components.

One of the possible causes of the error message “No Source Found” is that the projector is not receiving any signal from the connected device, such as a laptop1. This could be due to an incorrect input source selected on the projector or an improper display setting on the laptop. Therefore, the first actions that the technician should take are to verify the projector settings and make sure the correct input is selected, and to check the laptop display settings and set them to extend/duplicate23.

A load balancer is a network device or service that distributes incoming network traffic across multiple servers, based on various criteria, such as availability, capacity, performance, or location. A load balancer can ensure that the servers’ resources will be utilized efficiently, as well as improve reliability, scalability, and security. A load balancer can be hardware-based or software-based, or a combination of both. Reference: https://www.comptia.org/training/books/a-core-1-220-1101-study-guide (page 79)

The best tool to identify the correct cable is C. Toner probe.

A toner probe is a device that can be used to locate and trace a specific cable within a network rack or a wall outlet. A toner probe consists of two parts: a tone generator and a tone detector. The tone generator is connected to one end of the cable and sends an audible signal through the cable. The tone detector is used to scan the other end of the cable and pick up the signal. The tone detector emits a sound or a light when it detects the signal, indicating the correct cable.

A toner probe can be useful for network technicians who need to locate an end user’s Cat 6 cable within a network rack that is poorly documented and has no cable management system. A Cat 6 cable is a type of twisted pair cable that can support high-speed data transmission over Ethernet networks. A network rack is a frame that holds network equipment, such as servers, switches, routers, or patch panels. A cable management system is a set of devices or methods that organize and secure the cables within a network rack .

The other options are not the best tools to identify the correct cable, because they have different purposes or limitations. A cable tester (option A) is a device that can be used to test the functionality and quality of a cable, such as its continuity, resistance, or interference. A cable tester can help diagnose and troubleshoot faulty cables, but it cannot locate or trace specific cables within a network rack. A network tap (option B) is a device that can be used to monitor and analyze the traffic and data that pass through a network. A network tap can help capture and inspect network packets, but it cannot locate or trace specific cables within a network rack. A loopback plug (option D) is a device that can be used to test the functionality and connectivity of a port or an interface. A loopback plug can help verify if a port or an interface is working properly, but it cannot locate or trace specific cables within a network rack.

For more information about toner probes and other network tools, you can refer to the following web search results: [What Is a Toner Probe?], [What Is Cat 6 Cable?], [What Is a Network Rack?], [What Is a Cable Tester?], [What Is a Network Tap?], [What Is a Loopback Plug?].

Calibration is the process of adjusting the printer settings to ensure that the printed output matches the original document. Calibration can fix issues such as misaligned images, color accuracy, and print quality. References: [Printer Calibration]

The most likely use case for client-side virtualization for a software developer is D. Testing on different operating systems.

Client-side virtualization is a type of virtualization that allows a single physical machine, such as a laptop or a desktop, to run multiple virtual machines, each with its own operating system and applications. Client-side virtualization can provide several benefits, such as:

Increasing the application performance by allocating more resources to the virtual machine that runs the application.

Enhancing the security of physical machines by isolating the virtual machines from each other and from the host machine, and preventing malware or attacks from spreading or affecting the data.

Reducing the operational costs by consolidating multiple physical machines into one, and saving on hardware, software, and energy expenses.

However, the most likely use case for client-side virtualization for a software developer is testing on different operating systems. This means that a software developer can use client-side virtualization to create and run different virtual machines with different operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, or Mac OS, and test how their software works and performs on each of them. This can help the software developer to ensure the compatibility, functionality, and quality of their software across different platforms and environments. It can also help the software developer to debug and fix any issues or errors that may arise on different operating systems.

For more information about client-side virtualization and its use cases, you can refer to the following web search results: [What Is Client-Side Virtualization?], [Client-Side Virtualization: Benefits and Challenges], [How Client-Side Virtualization Can Help Developers].

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The correct answer is C. OLED.

OLED stands for Organic Light-Emitting Diode, and it is a type of display technology that uses organic compounds to create light and color. Unlike LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or Plasma displays, OLED does not require a backlight or a filter to produce images. This means that OLED can offer higher contrast, wider color gamut, and better viewing angles than other display types.

LCD displays use liquid crystals that are sandwiched between two polarizing filters and illuminated by a backlight. The liquid crystals can change their orientation and block or allow light to pass through the filters. LCD displays can have different panel types, such as IPS (In-Plane Switching), VA (Vertical Alignment), or TN (Twisted Nematic), which affect the color accuracy, response time, and viewing angles of the display.

Plasma displays use gas-filled cells that are electrically charged to create plasma, which emits ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light then excites phosphors that emit visible light and color. Plasma displays can produce deep blacks and high contrast, but they are also prone to image retention, screen burn-in, and high power consumption.

VGA stands for Video Graphics Array, and it is not a display type but a video interface standard that was introduced in 1987. VGA can transmit analog signals from a computer to a monitor, but it has low resolution and limited color depth compared to modern digital standards such as HDMI or DisplayPort.

Therefore, OLED is the best display type for graphic designers who want the most accurate color spectrum and the widest viewing angles. OLED displays can also be thinner and lighter than LCD or Plasma displays, which makes them ideal for laptops. However, OLED displays are also more expensive and less durable than other display types, and they may suffer from image retention or burn-in over time.

A DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server is a server type that can dynamically assign IP addresses and other network configuration parameters to clients, such as primary and secondary DNS (Domain Name System) servers. DNS servers are responsible for resolving hostnames to IP addresses and vice versa. A global catalog server, a web server, and a name server are not involved in DHCP operations.