Hardware

Question 1

Which cable type comes in two varieties: unshielded and shielded?

Fiber optic

Coaxial

Twisted pair

Answer 1

Twisted pair

Twisted pair is commonly used in office settings to connect workstations to hubs or switches. It comes in two varieties: unshielded (UTP) and shielded (STP). Fiber optic, serial, and coaxial do not come in shielded and unshielded versions

Question 2

Which cable type transmits data at speeds up to 100 Mbps and was used with Fast Ethernet (operating at 100 Mbps) with a transmission range of 100 meters?

Cat 4

Cat 5

Cat 6

Answer 2

Cat 5

Cat 5 transmits data at speeds up to 100 Mbps and was used with Fast Ethernet (operating at 100 Mbps) with a transmission range of 100 meters. It contains four twisted pairs of copper wire to give the most protection. Although it had its share of popularity (it’s used primarily for 10/100 Ethernet networking), it is now an outdated standard. Newer implementations use the 5e standard. Cat 4 transmits at 16 Mbps, and Cat 6 transmits at 1 Gbps

Question 3

Which cable type has a glass core within a rubber outer coating?

Fiber optic

Coaxial

Twisted pair

Answer 3

Fiber optic

Fiber-optic cabling is the most expensive type of those discussed for this exam. Although it’s an excellent medium, it’s often not used because of the cost of implementing it. It has a glass core within a rubber outer coating and uses beams of light rather than electrical signals to relay data. None of the other options uses glass in its construction

Question 4

Which connector is used for telephone cord?

RJ-11

RJ-45

RS-232

Answer 4

RJ-11

An RJ-11 is a standard connector for a telephone line and is used to connect a computer modem to a phone line. It looks much like an RJ-45 but is noticeably smaller. The RJ-45 is used for networking. RS 232 is a serial connector. BNC is a coaxial connector

Question 5

Which standard has been commonly used in computer serial ports?

RJ-11

RJ-45

RS-232

Answer 5

RS-232

The RS-232 standard had been commonly used in computer serial ports. A serial cable (and port) uses only one wire to carry data in each direction; all the rest are wires for signaling and traffic control. An RJ-11 is a standard connector for a telephone line and is used to connect a computer modem to a phone line. It looks much like an RJ-45 but is noticeably smaller. The RJ-45 is used for networking

Question 6

Which connectors are sometimes used in the place of RCA connectors for video electronics?

RJ-45

RS-232

BNC

Answer 6

BNC

Bayonet Neill–Concelman (BNC) connectors are sometimes used in the place of RCA connectors for video electronics, so you may encounter these connectors, especially when video equipment connects to a PC. In many cases, you may be required to purchase an adapter to convert this to another form of connection because it is rare to find one on the PC. An RJ-11 is a standard connector for a telephone line and is used to connect a computer modem to a phone line. It looks much like an RJ-45 but is noticeably smaller. The RJ45 is used for networking. RS-232 is a serial connector

Question 7

Which RAM type is used in laptops?

DIMM

SODIMM

Rambus

Answer 7

SODIMM

Portable computers (notebooks and subnotebooks) require smaller sticks of RAM because of their smaller size. One of the two types is small outline DIMM (SODIMM), which can have 72, 144, or 200 pins. DIMM is a full-size RAM type. Rambus is a type of RAM but not used in laptops, and BNC is a connector for coaxial cabling

Question 8

Which RAM type allows for two memory accesses for each rising and falling clock?

DIMM

DDR3

DDR2

Answer 8

DDR2

DDR SDRAM is Double Data Rate 2 (DDR2). This allows for two memory accesses for each rising and falling clock and effectively doubles the speed of DDR. DDR2-667 chips work with speeds at 667 MHz and are also referred to as PC2-5300 modules. DDR3 is the higher-speed successor to DDR and DDR2. Portable computers (notebooks and subnotebooks) require smaller sticks of RAM because of their smaller size. One of the two types is small outline DIMM (SODIMM), which can have 72, 144, or 200 pins

Question 9

Which RAM type is not compatible with any earlier type of random-access memory?

DDR5

DDR4

DDR3

Answer 9

DDR4

DDR4 SDRAM is an abbreviation for double data rate fourth-generation synchronous dynamic random-access memory. DDR4 is not compatible with any earlier type of random-access memory (RAM). The DDR4 standard allows for DIMMs of up to 64 GB in capacity, compared to DDR3’s maximum of 16 GB per DIMM. DDR3 and DDR2 are backward compatible, and there is no DDR5

Question 10

Which of the following is a rewritable optical disc?

CD

CD-RW

CD-ROM

Answer 10

CD-RW

Compact Disc-ReWritable (CD-RW) media is a rewritable optical disc. A CD-RW drive requires more sensitive laser optics. It can write data to the disc but also has the ability to erase that data and write more data to the disc. CD, DVD, and CD-ROM are all read-only

Question 11

Which of the following is a specification for internally mounted computer expansion cards and associated connectors that replaces the mSATA?

M2

NVME

SATA

Answer 11

M2

M.2, formerly known as the Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF), is a specification for internally mounted computer expansion cards and associated connectors. It replaces the mSATA standard. M.2 modules are rectangular, with an edge connector on one side, and a semicircular mounting hole at the center of the opposite edge. Non-Volatile Memory Host Controller Interface Specification (NVME) is an open logical device interface specification for accessing nonvolatile storage media attached via a PCI Express (PCIe) bus. Serial ATA and serial ATA 2.5 are computer bus interfaces that connects host bus adapters to mass storage devices such as hard disk drives, optical drives, and solid-state drives

Question 12

At what speed will latency on a magnetic drive decrease to about 3 ms?

7200 rpm

10,000 rpm

15,000 rpm

Answer 12

10,000 rpm

At 10,000 rpm, the latency will decrease to about 3 ms. Data transfer rates also generally go up with a higher rotational speed but are influenced by the density of the disk (the number of tracks and sectors present in a given area). Latency at 5400 rpm will be 5.56 ms. At 7200 it will be 4.17, and at 15000 it will drop to 2

Question 13

Laptops and other portable devices utilize which expansion card?

MiniPCI

PCI

SATA

Answer 13

MiniPCI

Laptops and other portable devices utilize an expansion card called the miniPCI. It has the same functionality as the PCI but has a much smaller form factor. PCI and PCIe are used in desktops. SATA is a drive connector

Question 14

Which of the following is a standard firmware interface for PCs, designed to replace BIOS?

UEFI

NVRAM

CMOS

Answer 14

UEFI

Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) is a standard firmware interface for PCs, designed to replace BIOS. NVRAM is RAM that retains its data during a reboot. CMOS is a battery type found on motherboards, and CHS is a drive geometry concept

Question 15

Which of the following is memory that does not lose its content when power is lost to the machine?

UEFI

NVRAM

CMOS

Answer 15

NVRAM

NVRAM is memory that does not lose its content when power is lost to the machine. Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) is a standard firmware interface for PCs, designed to replace BIOS. CMOS is a battery type found on motherboards, and CHS is a drive geometry concept

Question 16

Which of the following devices allows you to plug multiple PCs (usually servers) into the device and to switch easily back and forth from system to system using the same mouse, monitor, and keyboard?

KVM

NVRAM

CMOS

Answer 16

KVM

A keyboard, video, and mouse (KVM) device allows you to plug multiple PCs (usually servers) into the device and to switch easily back and forth from system to system using the same mouse, monitor, and keyboard. The KVM is actually a switch that all the systems plug into. There is usually no software to install. Just turn off all the systems, plug them all into the switch and turn them back on; then you can switch from one to another using the same keyboard, monitor, and mouse device connected to the KVM switch. CMOS is a battery type found on motherboards, and CHS is a drive geometry concept. NVRAM is memory that does not lose its content when power is lost to the machine

Question 17

Which of the following is a description of light output?

KVM

Lumens

Contrast

Answer 17

Lumens

When discussing bulbs for projectors, brightness is a description of light output, which is measured in lumens (not watts). Ensure that you are purchasing the correct bulb for the projector and maximize the life of the bulb by turning the projector off when not in use. A keyboard, video, and mouse (KVM) device allows you to plug multiple PCs (usually servers) into the device and to switch easily back and forth from system to system using the same mouse, monitor, and keyboard. Contrast is the relationship between dark and light. CHS is a drive geometry concept

Question 18

Which of the following is a standard managed by the ISO and uses tags that are embedded in the devices?

KVM

NFC

CHS

Answer 18

NFC

NFC components include an initiator and a target; the initiator actively generates an RF field that can power a passive target. This enables NFC targets to take simple form factors such as tags, stickers, key fobs, or cards that do not require batteries. When discussing bulbs for projectors, brightness is a description of light output, which is measured in lumens (not watts). Ensure that you are purchasing the correct bulb for the projector and maximize the life of the bulb by turning the projector off when not in use. A keyboard, video, and mouse (KVM) device allows you to plug multiple PCs (usually servers) into the device and to switch easily back and forth from system to system using the same mouse, monitor, and keyboard. CHS is a drive geometry concept

Question 19

In 2004, the ATX 12V 2.0 (now 2.03) standard was passed, changing the main connector from 20 pins to how many?

16

22

24

Answer 19

24

In 2004, the ATX 12V 2.0 (now 2.03) standard was passed, changing the main connector from 20 pins to 24. The additional pins provide +3.3V, +5V, and +12V (the fourth pin is a ground) for use by PCIe cards. When a 24-pin connector is used, there is no need for the optional four- or six-pin auxiliary power connectors

Question 20

When using the AT power connector, the power cable coming from the power supply will have two separate connectors, labeled what?

P8 and P9

P1 and P2

P9 and P10

Answer 20

P8 and P9

When using the AT power connector, the power cable coming from the power supply will have two separate connectors, labeled P8 and P9. When you are attaching the two parts to the motherboard, the black wires on one should be next to the black wires on the other for proper function

Question 21

The SATA power connector has how many pins?

8

12

15

Answer 21

15

The SATA power connector consists of 15 pins, with 3 pins designated for 3.3V, 5V, and 12V and with each pin carrying 1.5 amps. This results in a total draw of 4.95 watts + 7.5 watts + 18 watts, or about 30 watts

Question 22

Which of the following is a desktop computer system?

Thick client

NAS

SAN

Answer 22

NAS

A thick client has the applications installed locally and will need to have sufficient resources to support the applications. A thin client only sends commands and displays output with the application on the server. Network attached storage is a storage network that is IP based, while Storage Area Networks use a storage area protocol

Question 23

Which of the following is a PC that has all the capabilities of a standard PC?

Thin client

Standard client

Thick client

Answer 23

Thick client

When discussing thin and thick clients, you should understand that a thick client is a PC that has all the capabilities of a standard PC. It runs all applications locally from its own hard drive. A thin client is one that has minimal capabilities and runs the applications (and perhaps even the operating system itself) from a remote server. There is no standard client or thin host

Question 24

The amount of RAM that is required in a virtualization workstation depends on which of the following?

Number of processors

Number of drives

Number of VMs

Answer 24

Number of VMs

The amount of RAM that is required depends on the number of VMs that you anticipate operating at the same time, not how many exist on the desktop. Total the memory requirements of each VM that will be open at the same time, in addition to the requirements of the host operating system. That should be the minimum. Then add more for overhead to ensure performance

Question 25

Which IP setting is optional for network connectivity on a thin client?

IP address

Default gateway

Proxy server

Answer 25

Proxy server

A proxy server address is optional

Question 26

Which of the following needs the most resources?

Thin client

Thick client

Medium client

Answer 26

Thick client

A thick client is a standard PC. When discussing thin and thick clients, you should understand that a thick client is a PC that has all the capabilities of a standard PC. It runs all applications locally from its own hard drive. A thin client is one that has minimal capabilities and runs the applications (and perhaps even the operating system itself) from a remote server. There is no medium client or stationary client

Question 27

How is accountability ensured?

Shared accounts

No shared accounts

No audit trails

Answer 27

No shared accounts

Ensure accountability by using no shared accounts. Each user should have a unique username/password combination. Audit trails should always be created

Question 28

What software controls how the printer processes the print job?

Driver

Interface

Network

Answer 28

Driver

When you install a printer driver for the printer you are using, it allows the computer to print to that printer correctly (assuming you have the correct interface configured between the computer and printer). Also, keep in mind that drivers are specific to the operating system, so you need to select the one that is both for the correct printer and for the correct operating system

Question 29

What printer component turns the printed sheet over so it can be run back through the printer and allow printing on both sides?

Driver

Duplexer

Orientation

Answer 29

Duplexer

An optional component that can be added to printers (usually laser but also inkjet) is a duplexer. This can be an optional assembly added to the printer, or built into it, but the sole purpose of duplexing is to turn the printed sheet over so it can be run back through the printer and allow printing on both sides

Question 30

Which of the following refers to how the printed matter is laid out on the page?

Driver

Duplex

Orientation

Answer 30

Orientation

The orientation of a document refers to how the printed matter is laid out on the page. In the landscape orientation, the printing is written across the paper turned on its long side, while in portrait the paper is turned up vertically and printed top to bottom. The driver is the software that talks between the printer and the operating system. Duplexing makes it possible to print on both sides. To collate is to create multiple copies with all sets in correct page order

Question 31

Which of the following feeds through the printer using a system of sprockets and tractors?

Continuous feed

Sheet fed

Impact

Answer 31

Continuous feed

Continuous-feed paper feeds through the printer using a system of sprockets and tractors. Sheet-fed printers accept plain paper in a paper tray. Dot matrix is continuous feed; everything else is sheet fed

Question 32

Which of the following should not be used more than once?

Toner

Paper

Cable

Answer 32

Paper

Never reuse paper in a laser printer that has been through the printer once. Although it may look blank, you’re repeating the charging and fusing process on a piece of paper that most likely has something already on it

Question 33

Which of the following is a large circuit board that acts as the motherboard for the printer?

Printer controller

Imaging drum

Toner cartridge

Answer 33

Printer controller

This is a large circuit board that acts as the motherboard for the printer. It contains the processor and RAM to convert data coming in from the computer into a picture of a page to be printed. The imaging drum is the drum where the toner is placed on the correctly charged area. The toner cartridge is the container holding the toner. The maintenance kit contains items that should be changed periodically like rollers