A+ certification is possibly the most popular way of breaking into the computer tech business, as it demonstrates basic competency regarding computer hardware and software. Offered by CompTIA, the certification involves taking two tests: the A+ Essentials exam and a choice of one of three elective exams: IT Technician, Remote Support Technician, and Depot Technician. The knowledge base required involves understanding how to take apart a computer and put it back together, how to build a computer from its basic components, knowledge of the purpose and function of component parts such as the motherboard, CPU, display devices, power supply, and cooling system, among others.
In addition, on the software end, the A+ certificate seeker is required to know all about modern operating systems. While CompTIA is vendor-neutral, it emphasizes knowledge of the Windows operating system, because A+ certification is designed to produce computer technicians who can make a living, and Windows holds the lion’s share of the OS market. However, the certificate seeker is still required to have a basic understanding of Apple and Unix-like operating systems. He or she is required to understand the boot process as well as the basic framework of multiple operating systems, so that he or she can provide adequate support to customers needing assistance.
Regarding Network+ certification, the basic premise is the same as that for A+ certification, except it is required for anyone who wants to be an IT network technician. The certification shows that the successful Network+ candidate is able to maintain, configure, install, troubleshoot, test and manage all sorts of network infrastructures, has an understanding of modern networking technologies, basic design principles, and grasps modern wiring standards. In addition, the Network+ certificate seeker benefits from having the A+ certification since Network+ requires the same technical skills as a foundation. Networks contain multiple computers, as well as the nexuses between them, so it’s far trickier to troubleshoot than just a single computer.
The specifics involved in the Network+ test involve knowledge of common networking protocols, both wired and wireless, as well as an understanding of all the hardware involved in creating a network. He or she must know how to set up a fast and secure computer network utilizing firewalls, routers, and switches, and ensure that it is free of viruses and malware. The certificate seeker must be familiar with all the tools of the trade, as software-based and immaterial as packet sniffers and port scanners or as gritty and hardware-based as cable-strippers and temperature monitors. He or she must be able to diagnose problems and have adequate knowledge to come up with a solution.
Any job with a major technology company involving technical expertise will require A+ certification, and if you’re looking to be a network or systems administrator, Network+ is increasingly necessary for your career. Many major corporations, such as Microsoft, Cisco, Novell, and HP, include the CompTIA Network+ and A+ certification in their mandatory training requirements.
By: Ryan Corey
Posts Tagged ‘Windows Operating System’
A+-Network+ Training and Certification
December 11th, 2009Posted in Article
Tags: Adequate Support Basic Design Principles Boot Process Competency Component Parts Comptia Certification Computer Hardware And Software Computer Technicians Cooling System Elective Exams Foundation Networks How To Build A Computer Multiple Operating Systems Network Infrastructures Network Technician Networking Technologies Os Market Premise Support Technician Windows Operating System
NTP Server Systems and Network Timing
October 10th, 2009
The Network Time Protocol, more commonly known as NTP, is a widely used Internet protocol for the transfer of time across a network. NTP is commonly used to synchronise network time clients to an accurate time source.
This article describes the Network Time Protocol and provides an overview of how NTP servers utilise NTP to provide an accurate source of time to network time clients.
A Brief History
The NTP protocol is one of the oldest Internet protocols still in use today. It has been in continuous use for more than 25 years. The protocol was originally designed to synchronise computers and time critical processes across the Internet. Initially developed for the Linux operating system, the protocol has recently been partly ported to the Microsoft Windows operating system. NTP is installed by default in many Linux Unix and Free BSD distributions. Most NTP server systems utilise the Linux operating system due to its specialised kernel timing algorithms.
About the Protocol
NTP is a client-server based protocol. The NTP protocol provides clients with 3 fundamental products: clock offset, network round-trip delay and reference clock dispersion. The clock offset specifies the difference between the local system time and an external reference clock. The round-trip delay specifies the time latencies measured during the transfer of packets around the network. Time dispersion specifies the maximum error associated with timing information received from the external reference clock.
The NTP protocol has a hierarchical structure. A stratum 1 time server is the primary reference server and sits at the top of the heirachy. The primary reference server it is followed by secondary reference servers and clients. A primary reference NTP server is generally synchronised by an external timing reference, such as a radio or GPS clock. At the highest level a primary reference NTP server has a stratum of one. Each lower-level NTP server and client is attributed a stratum one greater than the previous level. As the stratum increases, accuracy decreases due to inconsistencies in network path timing.
Network Time Protocol uses the UDP protocol which is an integral part of the TCP/IP protocol suite. Each NTP message consists of a number of fields: Leap Indicator; Version Number; Mode; Stratum; Poll; Precision; Root Delay; Root Dispersion; Reference Identifier; Reference Timestamp; Originate Timestamp; Receive Timestamp; Transmit Timestamp; Key Identifier and Message Digest. The fields are used to identify messages and provide time stamp and round-trip delay information.
The current release of NTP is version 4. All versions of the protocol are backwards compatible with previous versions. The only significant modification to the protocol between versions 3 and 4 is a slight header re-interpretation to accommodate IPv6.
NTP Server Modes of Operation
A stratum 1 NTP server has three modes of operation: unicast; anycast and multicast. The client initiates the unicast and anycast modes, the server responds with a NTP time message that the client uses for synchronisation. Multicast is a broadcast mode of operation, at periodic intervals time messages are broadcast to the entire sub-domain.
Accurate External Reference Clocks
The standard NTP distribution can operate with a number of external time references, or ‘reference clocks’. The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a popular choice since it provides a global precise time reference. A number of national time and frequency radio broadcasts are also available, such as WWVB (US), DCF-77 (Germany) and MSF (UK).
The Simple Network Time Protocol (SNTP)
SNTP is a simplified version of the full-blown Network Time Protocol. SNTP is generally used where the complexities and high accuracy of the NTP protocol is not required. The SNTP protocol is often used by micro-controllers and SBC computers. The SNTP and NTP protocols are fully interchangeable. Any SNTP client can synchronise with a full-blown NTP server.
By: David Evans
Posted in Article
Tags: Accurate Source Accurate Time Bsd Distributions Critical Processes External Reference Heirachy Internet Protocol Internet Protocols Linux Operating System Maximum Error Microsoft Windows Operating System Network Time Protocol Ntp Protocol Ntp Servers Secondary Reference Time Clients Time Dispersion Timing Reference Trip Delay Windows Operating System
