New CompTia A+ vendor-independent basic IT course

The objective of the vendor-independent training is to familiarise entry-level professionals with IT systems, their software (Windows-based) and hardware support, and the theoretical and practical skills required to support them.

The training will cover the installation, upgrading, configuration, troubleshooting, optimisation and principles of preventive maintenance of desktop and laptop computers. The training also covers basic network and security and virtualisation set-up, and the management of peripherals (printers) and mobile devices. The training is primarily in a Microsoft Windows environment, with some coverage of Linux and macOS. Hardware tasks are implemented in a simulated lab environment.

In addition to the technical and technological side, the course also briefly covers the customer service and communication (help-desk) guidelines for working with customers. The training will be delivered in an intensive 5-day format, with additional self-paced English-language supplementary video e-learning materials.

The training will include:

• official CompTIA training material (e-book)
• English language video e-learning materials
• lab environment, which can be used for further training after the training

The training is recommended for everyone who wants to gain insight into the world of IT, the target group is mainly IT beginners, future IT professionals, IT technicians, help-desk professionals, IT support. The training (together with self-study and exam preparation materials and practice) will help you to prepare for the optional CompTIA A+ certification exams.

On completion of the training, participants will acquire the following skills:

• Install and configure personal computer components and peripherals
• Installation, configuration and troubleshooting of displays and multimedia devices
• Installation, configuration and troubleshooting of storage devices
• Installation, configuration and troubleshooting of internal system components
• Knowledge of network infrastructure concepts
• Configuring and troubleshooting network connections
• Implementing client-side virtualisation
• Laptop support and troubleshooting
• Support and troubleshoot mobile devices
• Support and troubleshoot printers
• Installation, configuration, maintenance and support of Windows operating systems
• Microsoft Windows maintenance and troubleshooting
• Network connection configuration and troubleshooting
• Managing users, workstations and shared resources
• Implementing physical security
• Protecting workstations and data
• Troubleshooting security problems on workstations
• Support and troubleshoot mobile operating systems and applications
• Performing operational support tasks

Theoretical parts

• Overview of the IT technician's (help-desk) tasks, main preventive security measures
• Computer structure and parts, characteristics (CPU, RAM, disk, network, firmware, motherboard, connectors, power supplies), installation and management
• Description of the main peripherals, their characteristics, connections and installation
• Possible hardware faults in a personal computer and how to troubleshoot them
• Identification of operating system types and features
• Installation and configuration of operating systems
• Working with Windows
• Defining and managing users, groups and privileges
• Supporting Windows, performing maintenance and optimisation tasks
• Using the command line interface
• Windows troubleshooting tasks
• Basic networking skills
• Network addressing and Internet connection management and configuration
• Network services overview
• Network security basics
• Managing Windows networks
• Overview of virtualisation and cloud concepts
• Mobile device support
• Supporting printers and multifunction devices
• Security basics and managing security settings
• Operational support procedures and solutions

Practical parts

• Overview, operation and use of the lab environment
• Installing the motherboard
• Installing power supplies
• Configuring the BIOS
• Installing RAM
• Installing the CPU and cooler
• Install and configure disks (SSD)
• Installing monitors
• Compare network hardware
• Comparing wireless network technologies
• Configuring a SOHO router
• Comparing protocols and ports
• Network troubleshooting exercises
• Laptop SSD and RAM upgrade
• Laptop battery replacement
• Configuring laptop dock and external peripherals
• Installing a printer
• Managing user settings in Windows
• Windows support
• Configuring Windows system settings
• Using the management console
• Using Task Manager
• Monitoring performance and event logs
• Using command line tools
• Installing the Windows operating system
• Installing the Linux operating system
• Installing and configuring an application
• Troubleshooting a Windows operating system problem
• Configuring a Windows network
• Configuring folder sharing in a workgroup
• Managing Linux with command line tools
• Managing files with Linux command line tools
• Support and troubleshoot network hosts
• Configuring SOHO router security
• Configuring workstation security
• Configuring browser security
• Troubleshooting security problems
• Using remote access technologies
• Performing backup and recovery
• Learning PowerShell and running simple scripts
• Learning Bash script and executing simple scripts
• Troubleshooting

Windows (possibly Linux) user skills. As training materials and training lab environments are in English, at least a basic knowledge of English at document reading level is required. Lectures will be given in Hungarian, and optionally the official exams will be in English.

• CompTIA Network+
• CompTIA Server+
• Windows and Linux Basic Operations Courses