Wednesday, January 4, 2012

CompTIA Server+ (2009 Edition) Certification Examination Objectives

INTRODUCTION
The CompTIA Server+ (2009 Edition) certification is an international vendor neutral credential. The Server+ exam is a validation of “foundation” level server skills and knowledge, and is used by organizations and IT professionals around the globe.

The skills and knowledge measured by this examination are derived from an industry-wide Job Task Analysis (JTA) and were validated through a global survey in Q4, 2008.

The results of the survey were used to validate the content of the subject areas (domains) and exam objectives, as well as the overall domain weightings, ensuring the importance of one domain relative to another.


The CompTIA Server+ (2009 Edition) certification is targeted towards individuals with 18-24 months of IT experience. Although not a prerequisite, it is recommended that CompTIA Server+ candidates hold a CompTIA A+ certification.

This test will certify that the successful candidate has the knowledge and skills required to build, maintain, troubleshoot and support server hardware and software technologies.

The successful candidate will be able to identify environmental issues; understand and comply with disaster recovery and physical / software security procedures; be familiar with industry terminology and concepts; understand server roles / specializations and interaction within the overall computing environment.



The table below lists the domains measured by this examination and the appropriate extent to which they are represented.

Domain
% of Examination
1.0 System Hardware
21%
2.0 Software
19%
3.0 Storage
14%
4.0 IT Environment
11%
5.0 Disaster Recovery
11%
6.0 Troubleshooting
24%
Total
100%


1.0 System Hardware

1.1 Differentiate between system board types, features, components and their purposes.


• Dip switchesjumpers
• Processor (single and multi)
• Bus types and bus speeds
• On board components


NICs
Video
Audio
USB
HID
Serial
Parallel


• Expansion slots


PCI
PCIe
o PCIx
AGP
ISA


• BIOS
• Riser Cardbackplane
• Storage connectors


SCSI
SATA
IDE
Floppy

1.2 Deploy different chassis types and the appropriate components


• Cooling


Fans
Water cooled
Passive
Active
o Shroud
o Ducts
o Redundant cooling
o Hot swappable
Ventilation


• Form Factor (tower, rackblade)


o Space utilization (U size, height, width, depth)


• Power


Connectors
Voltages
o Phase


• Redundant power
• Shut off switches – chassis intrusion
• Power buttons
• Reset buttons
• Diagnostic LEDs
• Expansion bays

1.3 Differentiate between memory features / types and given a scenario select appropriate memory


• Memory pairing
• ECC vs. non ECC
• Registered vs. non-registered
• RAID and hot spares
• Types


DDR
Fully buffered DIMM
DDR2
SDRAM
DDR3


• Memory compatibility


o Speed
Size
Pins
CAS latency
Timing
o Vendor specific memory


• On board vs. riser card

1.4 Explain the importance of a Hardware Compatibility List (HCL)


• Vendor standards for hardware
• Memory and processor compatibility
• Expansion cards compatibility
• Virtualization requirements

1.5 Differentiate between processor features / types and given a scenario select the appropriate processor


• Multicore
• Multiprocessor
• Cache levels
• Stepping
• Speed
• VRMs
• Execute disable (XD) or not execute (NX)
• Hyperthreading
• VT or AMD-V
• AMD vs. Intel (non-compatible CPUs)
• Processor architecture (RISCCISC)
• Vendor slot types
• 64-bit vs. 32-bit
• Heat dissipation (heat sinksfansliquid cooling)

1.6 Given a scenario, install appropriate expansion cards into a server while taking fault tolerance into consideration.


• Manufacturer specific


o Fax cards
o PBX cards
o Camera cards
o VoIP


• HBAs
• NICs
• Video
• Audio
• Storage controller (SCSI, SATA, RAID)


o SCSI low voltage / high voltage (LVD/HVD)
o SCSI IDs
o Cables and connectors
o Active vs. passive termination


• Port expansion cards


USB
IEEE 1394
Serial
Parallel

1.7 Install, update and configure appropriate firmware.


• Driver / hardware compatibility
• Implications of a failed firmware upgrade (redundant BIOS)
• Follow manufacturer instructions and documentation



2.0 Software

2.1 Install, deploy, configure and update NOS (Windows / *nix).


• Installation methods (optical media, USB, network share, PXE)


o Imaging – system cloning and deployment (Ghost, RIS/WDS, Altiris, virtualization templates)


• Bootloader
• File systems


FAT
FAT32
NTFS
VMFS
ZFS
EXT3


• Driver installation


o Driver acquisition
o Installation methods
o Require media


• Configure NOS


o Initial network
o User
o Device
o Roles
o OS environmental settings
o Applications and tools


• Patch management

2.2 Explain NOS security software and its features.


• Software firewall


Port blocking
o Application exception
o ACL


• Malware protection software


Antivirus
Antispyware


• Basics of file level permissions vs. share permissions

2.3 Given a scenario, implement and administer NOS management features based on procedures and guidelines


• User management


o Add and remove users
o Setting permissions
o Group memberships
o Policies
o Logon scripts


• Resource management


o ACLs
o Quotas
o Shadow volumes
o Disk management
o Performance monitoring
o Baselining


• Monitoring (tools and agents)


SNMP (MIBs)
WBEM (WMI)

2.4 Explain different server roles, their purpose and how they interact


• File server and print server
• Database server
• Web server
• Messaging server
• DHCP server
• Directory services server
• DNS server
• Application server


o Update server and proxy server
o Filtering server
o Monitoring server
o Dedicated
o Distributed
o Peer to peer


• Remote access server
• Virtualized services
• NTP server
• Explain the different between a workstation, desktop and a server
• Server shut down and start up sequence (one server vs. multiple servers vs. attached components)

2.5 Summarize server virtualization concepts, features and considerations


• Resource utilization
• Configuration
• Interconnectivity
• Management server
• Reasons for virtualization


Cost benefits
Redundancy
Green initiative
Disaster recovery
Testing environment
Ease of deployment

2.6 Describe common elements of networking essentials


• TCP/IP


Subnetting
DNS
DHCP
Classes
Gateways
Static vs. dynamic
IP stack
Ports


• Ethernet


Types
o Speeds
Cables


• VPN
• VLAN
• DMZ



3.0 Storage

3.1 Describe RAID technologies and its features and benefits


• Hot spare
• Software vs. hardware
• Cache read/write levels (data loss potential)
• Performance benefits and tradeoffs

3.2 Given a scenario, select the appropriate RAID level


• 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 50
• Performance benefits and tradeoffs

3.3 Install and configure different internal storage technologies


• Hot swappable vs. non-hot swappable
• SCSI, Ultra SCSI, Ultra320 (termination), LUNs
• SAS, SATA
• Tape
• Optical


DVD
DVD-R
CD-ROM
CD-R
CD-RW
Blu-Ray


• Flash
• Floppy (USB)
• Controller (firmware levels)
• Hard drive (firmware, JBOD)

3.4 Summarize the purpose of external storage technologies


• Network attached storage
• Storage area network
• Tape library
• WORM
• Optical jukebox
• Transport media


iSCSI
SATA
SAS
SCSI
Fiber Channel



4.0 IT Environment

4.1 Write, utilize and maintain documentation, diagrams and procedures


• Follow pre-installation plan when building or upgrading servers
• Labeling
• Diagram server racks and environment topologies
• Hardware and software upgrade, installation, configuration , server role and repair logs
• Document server baseline (before and after service)
• Original hardware configuration, service tags, asset management and warranty
• Vendor specific documentation

4.2 Given a scenario, explain the purpose of the following industry best practices


• Follow vendor specific server best practices


o Documentation
o Tools
o Websites


• Explore ramifications before implementing change – determine organizational impact
• Communicate with stakeholders before taking action and upon completion of action
• Comply with all local laws / regulations, industry and corporate regulations
• Purpose of Service Level Agreement (SLAs)
• Follow change control procedures
• Equipment disposal

4.3 Determine an appropriate physical environment for the server location


• Check for adequate and dedicated power, proper amperage and voltage


o UPS systems (check load, document service, periodic testing)
o UPS specifications (run time, max load, bypass procedures, server communication and shut down, proper monitoring)


• Server cooling considerations – HVAC


o Adequate cooling in room
o Adequate cooling in server rack
o Temperature and humidity monitors

4.4 Implement and configure different methods of server access


• KVM (local and IP based)
• Direct connect
• Remote management


o Remote control
o Administration
o Software deployment
o Dedicated management port

4.5 Given a scenario, classify physical security measures for a server location


• Physical server security


o Locked doors
o Rack doors
CCTV
o Mantraps
o Security personnel


• Access control devices (RFIDkeypadspinpads)


o Biometric devices (fingerprint scannerretina)


• Security procedures


o Limited access
o Access logs
o Limited hours


• Defense in-depth – multiple layers of defense
• Reasons for physical security


o Theft
o Data loss
o Hacking


• Secure documentation related to servers


o Passwords
o System configurations
o Logs



5.0 Disaster Recovery

5.1 Compare and contrast backup and restoration methodologies, media types and concepts


• Methodologies (fullincrementaldifferential)


Snapshot
Copy
Bare metal
Open file
Databases
Data vs. OS restore
Rotation and retention (grandfather, father and sonleaning tower)


• Media types


Tape
Disk
WORM
Optical
Flash


• Backup security and off-site storage
• Importance of testing the backup and restoration process

5.2 Given a scenario, compare and contrast the different types of replication methods


• Disk to disk
• Server to server


o Clustering
o Active/active
o Active/passive


• Site to site
• Site types


Cold site
o Hot site
o Warm site
o Distance requirements

5.3 Explain data retention and destruction concepts


• Awareness of potential legal requirements
• Awareness of potential company policy requirements
• Differentiate between archiving and backup

5.4 Given a scenario, carry out the following basic steps of a disaster recovery plan


• Disaster recovery testing process
• Follow emergency procedures (people first)
• Use appropriate fire suppressants
• Follow escalation procedures for emergencies
• Classification of systems (prioritization during recovery)



6.0 Troubleshooting

6.1 Explain troubleshooting theory and methodologies


• Identify the problem and determine the scope


o Question users/stakeholders and identify changes to the server / environment
o Collect additional documentation / logs
o If possible, replicate the problem as appropriate
o If possible, perform backups before making changes


• Establish a theory of probable cause (question the obvious)


o Determine whether there is a common element of symptom causing multiple problems


• Test the theory to determine cause


o Once theory is confirmed determine next steps to resolve problem
o If theory is not confirmed re-establish new theory or escalate


• Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and notify impacted users
• Implement the solution or escalate as appropriate


o Make one change at a time and test/confirm the change has resolved the problem
o If the problem is not resolved, reverse the change if appropriate and implement new change


• Verify full system functionality and if applicable implement preventative measures
• Performa a root cause analysis
• Document findings, actions and outcomes throughout the process

6.2 Given a scenario, effectively troubleshoot hardware problems, selecting the appropriate tools and methods


• Common problems


Failed POST
Overheating
Memory failure
o Onboard component failure
Processor failure
Incorrect boot sequence
o Expansion card failure
Operating system not found
Drive failure
Power supply failure
o I/O failure


• Causes of common problems


o Third party components or incompatible components
o Incompatible or incorrect BIOS
o Cooling failure
o Mismatched components
o Backplane failure


• Environmental issues


o Dust
o Humidity
o Temperature
o Power surge / failure


• Hardware tools


o Power supply tester (multimeter)
o System board tester
o Compressed air
o ESD equipment

6.3 Given a scenario, effectively troubleshoot software problems, selecting the appropriate tools and methods


• Common problems


o User unable to logon
o User cannot access resources
o Memory leak
BSOD / stop
o OS boot failure
o Driver issues
o Runaway process
o Cannot mount drive
o Cannot write to system log
o Slow OS performance
o Patch update failure
o Service failure
o Hangs no shut down
o Users cannot print


• Cause of common problems


Malware
o Unauthorized software
Software firewall
o User Account Control (UAC/SUDO)
o Improper permissions
o Corrupted files
o Lack of hard drive space
o Lack of system resources
o Virtual memory (misconfigured, corrupt)
Fragmentation
o Encryption
o Print server drivers/services
o Print spooler


• Software tools


o System logs
o Monitoring tools (resource monitor, performance monitor)
Defragmentation tools

6.4 Given a scenario, effectively diagnose network problems, selecting the appropriate tools and methods


• Common problems


o Internet connectivity failure
o Email failure
o Resource unavailable
o DHCP server mis-configured
o Non-functional or unreachable
o Destination host unreachable
o Unknown host
o Default gateway mis-configured
o Failure of service provider
o Can reach by IP not by host name


• Causes of common problems


o Improper IP configuration
o VLAN configuration
o Port security
o Improper subnetting
o Component failure
o Incorrect OS route tables
o Bad cables
o Firewall (mis-configuration, hardware failure, software failure)
o Mis-configured NIC, routing / switch issues
o DNS and/or DHCP failure
o Mis-configured hosts file


• Networking tools


ping
tracert / traceroute
ipconfigifconfig
nslookup
net usemount
route
nbtstat
netstat

6.5 Given a scenario, effectively troubleshoot storage problems, selecting the appropriate tools and methods


• Common problems


o Slow file access
o OS not found
o Data not available
o Unsuccessful backup
o Error lights
o Unable to mount the device
o Drive not available
o Cannot access logical drive
o Data corruption
o Slow I/O performance
o Restore failure
o Cache failure
o Multiple drive failure


• Causes of common problems


o Media failure
o Drive failure
o Controller failure
o HBA failure
o Loose connectors
o Cable problems
o Mis-configuration
o Improper termination
o Corrupt boot sector
o Corrupt file system table
o Array rebuild
o Improper disk partition
o Bad sectors
o Cache battery failure
o Cache turned off
o Insufficient space
o Improper RAID configuration
o Mis-matched drives
o Backplane failure


• Storage tools

o Partitioning tools
o Disk management
o RAID array management
o Array management
o System logs
o Net use / mount command
o Monitoring tools

Source: http://www.comptia.jp/pdf/CompTIA%20Serverplus%20Objectives%202009.pdf

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