CompTIA Server+ (SK0-004)

Overview

This section explains CompTIA Server+ certification. CompTIA Server+ addresses the changing server environment, dealing with the latest technologies and trends such as virtualization, data centers, software-defined networking and network attached storage.

Server Form Factors

This section covers various shape, sizes and characteristic of server form factors sucha as rack mount, tower and blade servers.

Server Components

This section discusses the various components that make up server hardware. It explains the characteristics of the central processing units (CPUs) like multicore vs. multiprocessor, socket types, cache, CPU stepping and architecture.

Power and Cooling

This section covers the different concepts and standards for power utilization within servers, computers and a datacenter. It explains about 120,V 240,V 208V and 440V circuits.

Installing a Server OS

This section explains operating system installation for Servers. It discusses server roles, firmware updates, BIOS/UEFI configuration and boot order with a demonstration in a BIOS configuration interface.

Server Roles and Requirements

This section covers various roles that can be configured on server and the requirements for these roles. It also explains web servers, application servers, directory servers DHCP servers, DNS servers, remote access servers and more.

Administering a Server

This section explores various technologies that are used to administer to a server. It explains the concepts like local hardware administration through KVMs, serial console connections, as well as their limitations. It also covers network-based hardware administration through components like KVM over IPs, ILOs and iDRACs .

Server Maintenance

This section explores the concepts and techniques used in server maintenance. It covers the components of change management and patch management.

Asset Management and Documentation

This section explores the field of asset management and documentation. It covers topics like licensing, labeling, warranties, life cycle management, procurement, usage, end-of-life, disposal and inventory.

Virtualization

This section discusses concepts of virtualization. It explains Type 1 and 2 hypervisors, host machines vs. guest machines, resource allocation, hardware compatibility as well as the management interface.

Primary Storage Devices

This section covers the most common storage technologies found within servers and some retired technologies such as SAS, SATA, SCSI and Fibre Channel.

Configuring RAID

This section explores redundant array of independent disk or RAID technologies and configurations.

Storage Technologies

This section covers various storage technologies that can be utilized in small, medium and enterprise-level networks such as direct-attached storage, network-attached storage, iSCSI and Fibre Channel over Ethernet or FCoE.

Storage Capacity

This section covers the concepts around storage capacity. It explains the different measurements between drive manufacturers such as gigabyte vs. gigibyte as well as disk quotas in Windows and Linux.

Physical Security

This section dicusses implementation of physical security. It explains about multi factor authentication, mantraps, RFID chips, biometrics, keypads, security cameras and more.

Server Hardening

This section covers server security technique called server hardening. It explains the common steps to hardened a system like system patched, disabling unneeded services, ports and default accounts.

Network Security

This section explores various technologies used in network security sucha as host-based ,network-based firewalls, port security 802.1x, network access control, ACLs, NIDS.

Secure Storage Disposal

This section discusses various aspects of proper and security disposal of storage devices such as file-level, disk-level and tape encryption.

Logical Access Control

This section discusses security through logical access control such as read, write and execute permissions as well as permission inheritance.

Environmental Controls

This section explores various power concepts related to environmental controls. It explains uninterruptible power supplies and its characteristics such as runtime vs. capacity, graceful shutdown automation, bypass procedures, maximum load and remote management.

IP Addressing and Services

This section discusses the basics of IP addressing and common services used in TCP/IP such as IPv4, IPv6, static vs. dynamic IP address configurations, default gateways, classless inter domain routing, DNS and WINS.

Ports and Protocols

This section explores TCP/IP ports and protocols. It explains the purpose of ports, port ranges, TCP vs. UDP .

Cable Management

This section explores the concepts and components of cable management. It explains copper media and the attributes of CAT 5, 5e, CAT 6 cabling.

Disaster Recovery Principles

This section explains disaster recovery principles.

Backup Techniques

This section covers the concepts of backup techniques such as common backup methodologies, backup medium, restoration and medium retention best practices and backup location considerations.

Troubleshooting Methodologies

This section discusses the concepts and steps used in troubleshooting methodologies such as determining the scope, establishing theories of probable cause.

Troubleshooting Hardware

This section explain the basics of troubleshooting hardware such as common problems like POST failing, memory failures, CPU and hard drive failures.

Troubleshooting Software

This section covers troubleshooting of software. It explains about user log on problems, resource access issues and memory leaks.

Troubleshooting Networking

This section covers troubleshooting networking issues that arise on modern networks sucha as Internet connection failures, resource unavailability, DHCP issues, DNS issues and more.

Troubleshooting Storage

This section discusses various problems that arise in storage troubleshooting such as problems like slow file access, OS not found, error lights, data corruption and more.

Troubleshooting Security

This section explores troubleshooting security such as file integrity, privilege esculation, application whitelisting, network file access issues, excessive access and permissions.