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Computer Technology Programs ►Computer Support Specialist (CompTIA A+ and Network+) Certificate Program with Externship


Program includes National Certification & an Externship Opportunity



Computer Support Specialist (CompTIA A+ and Network+)

The Computer Support Specialist CompTIA A+ and Network+ program is designed to prepare students to function as computer professionals in multiple technical, business, and healthcare settings. Computer technicians serve many technical support and IT operation roles with job titles such as Support Specialist, Field Service Technician, Desktop Support Analysist, and Help Desk Tier 2 Support. Net+ technicians serve many technical support and IT operation roles with job titles such as Network Administrator, Network Field Technician, System Engineer, IS Consultant, Help Desk Technician, Network Support Specialist, and Network Analyst.


Computer Support Specialist (CompTIA A+ and Network+) Program

The Computer Support Specialist CompTIA A+ and Network+ is to prepare students to support computer users by configuring, troubleshooting, managing wired and wireless networks, and problem-solve computer issues, and connect users to the data they need to do their jobs regardless of the devices being used. This program will also prepare students to support the IT infrastructure through installing and configuring systems to secure applications, networks, and devices as well as perform threat analysis and respond with appropriate mitigation techniques.


Program Objectives

At the conclusion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Installing and configuring hardware and components
  • Installing, configuring, and maintaining devices, PCs, and software for end users
  • Installing, configuring, maintaining, and synchronizing mobile devices
  • Understanding and applying the basics of network security/forensics
  • Properly and safely diagnosing, resolving, and documenting common hardware and software issues
  • Applying and documenting effective troubleshooting thought processes and skills
  • Providing appropriate and excellent customer support and service
  • Understanding the basics of virtualization, desktop imaging, and deployment
  • Communicating effectively and professionally with clients, colleagues, subordinates, and supervisors to achieve the organization’s goals involving computer support and IT operations

TOPOLOGIES, THE OSI MODEL, AND ETHERNET

  • Explain devices, applications, protocols, and services at their appropriate OSI layers
  • Explain the concepts and characteristics of routing and switching
  • Compare and contrast the characteristics of network topologies, types, and technologies
  • Deploy the appropriate cabling solution

HUBS, BRIDGES, AND SWITCHES

  • Explain the concepts and characteristics of routing and switching
  • Given a scenario, determine the appropriate placement of networking devices on a network and install/configure them
  • Explain common mitigation techniques and their purposes

INFRASTRUCTURE AND DESIGN, POLICIES AND BEST PRACTICES

  • Explain the concepts and characteristics of routing and switching
  • Compare and contrast the characteristics of network topologies, types, and technologies
  • Identify policies and best practices

INTERNET PROTOCOL AND IP ADDRESSING

  • Explain the purposes and uses of ports and protocols
  • Configure the appropriate IP addressing components
  • Explain the concepts and characteristics of routing and switching

DHCP AND APIPA

  • Explain the purposes and uses of ports and protocols
  • Given a scenario, configure the appropriate IP addressing components
  • Explain the functions of network services

ROUTING

  • Explain the concepts and characteristics of routing and switching
  • Configure the appropriate IP addressing components
  • Determine the appropriate placement of networking devices on a network and install/configure them

TCP AND UDP

  • Explain the purposes and uses of ports and protocols
  • Explain common scanning, monitoring, and patching processes and summarize their expected outputs

NAME RESOLUTION

  • Explain the purposes and uses of ports and protocols
  • Explain the functions of network services

MONITORING, SCANNING, AND NETWORK TROUBLESHOOTING

  • Explain the purposes and uses of ports and protocols
  • Explain common scanning, monitoring, and patching processes and summarize their expected outputs
  • Implement network device hardening
  • Explain the network troubleshooting methodology
  • Troubleshoot common wired connectivity and performance issues
  • Troubleshoot common network service issues

APPLICATIONS AND SERVICES, VIRTUALIZATION, SAN, AND CLOUD SERVICES

  • Explain the purposes and uses of ports and protocols
  • Explain the concepts and characteristics of routing and switching
  • Explain the functions of network services
  • Determine the appropriate placement of networking devices on a network and install/configure them
  • Explain the purposes and use cases for advanced networking devices
  • Troubleshoot common wired connectivity and performance issues
  • Troubleshoot common network service issues
  • Summarize cloud concepts and their purposes
  • Explain the purposes of virtualization and network storage technologies

NETWORK SECURITY DESIGN AND APPLIANCES

  • Implement network device hardening
  • Explain common mitigation techniques and their purposes
  • Troubleshoot common wired connectivity and performance Issues
  • Explain the purposes and use cases for advanced networking devices
  • Summarize common network attacks
  • Troubleshoot common network service issues

AUTHENTICATION, ENDPOINT SECURITY, AND NETWORK SITE MANAGEMENT

  • Explain the purposes and uses of ports and protocols
  • Explain the purposes and use cases for advanced networking devices
  • Explain authentication and access controls
  • Summarize common networking attacks
  • Explain common mitigation techniques and their purposes
  • Deploy the appropriate cabling solution
  • Use appropriate documentation and diagrams to manage the network
  • Compare and contrast business continuity and disaster recovery concepts
  • Summarize the purposes of physical security devices

INSTALLING CABLED NETWORKS

  • Given a scenario, deploy the appropriate cabling solution
  • Given a scenario, determine the appropriate placement of networking devices on a network and install/configure them
  • Troubleshoot common wired connectivity and performance issues

INSTALLING WIRELESS NETWORKS

  • Compare and contrast the characteristics of network topologies, types, and technologies
  • Given a scenario, implement the appropriate wireless technologies and configurations
  • Given a scenario, determine the appropriate placement of networking devices on a network and install/configure them
  • Explain the purposes and use cases for advanced networking devices
  • Given a scenario, secure a basic wireless network
  • Summarize common networking attacks
  • Troubleshoot common wireless connectivity and performance issues

INSTALLING WAN LINKS

  • Explain the concepts and characteristics of routing and switching
  • Compare and contrast the characteristics of network topologies, types, and technologies
  • Implement the appropriate wireless technologies and configurations
  • Determine the appropriate placement of networking devices on a network and install/configure them
  • Compare and contrast WAN technologies

CONFIGURING REMOTE ACCESS

  • Explain the purposes and uses of ports and protocols
  • Explain the purposes and use cases for advanced networking devices
  • Compare and contrast WAN technologies
  • Install peripheral devices
  • Identify procedures and techniques to employ when troubleshooting.

INSTALLING, CONFIGURING AND TROUBLESHOOTING DISPLAY AND MULTIMEDIA DEVICES

  • Install and configure display devices
  • Troubleshoot display device issues
  • Install and configure multimedia devices

INSTALLING, CONFIGURING AND TROUBLESHOOTING STORAGE DEVICES

  • Install system memory
  • Install and configure mass storage devices
  • Install and configure removable storage devices Configure RAID
  • Troubleshoot storage device issues

INSTALLING, CONFIGURING AND TROUBLESHOOTING INTERNAL SYSTEM COMPONENTS

  • Select and install a CPU to upgrade or repair a computer system
  • Configure and update BIOS and UEFI
  • Install power supplies Troubleshoot internal system components
  • Configure a custom PC

NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE CONCEPTS

  • Use appropriate tools to select, install, and test network cabling for a given network type
  • Compare and contrast the functions and features of networking hardware devices
  • Compare and contrast wireless networking protocols Compare and contrast Internet connection types.
  • Describe the properties and characterizes of Internet Protocol (IP) addressing and network configuration.
  • Identify the protocols and ports underpinning Internet applications and local network services.

CONFIGURING AND TROUBLESHOOTIN NETWORKS

  • Configure Windows settings for different types of Internet and VPN connections
  • Install and configure SOHO router/modems and set up secure wireless access
  • Configure firewall settings and browser options to ensure safe Internet use on a SOHO network.
  • Use remote access technologies to connect to hosts over a network.
  • Troubleshoot wired and wireless problems plus IP configuration issues using command-line tools.
  • Select, install, and configure Internet of Things (IoT) home automation devices.

INPLEMENTING CLIENT VIRTUALIZATION AND CLOUD COMPUTING

  • Set up and configure a hypervisor and virtual machine guests.
  • Identify the purposes and types of cloud services.

SUPPORTING AND TROUBLESHOOTING LAPTOPS

  • Use laptop features.
  • Install and configure laptop hardware.
  • Troubleshoot common laptop issues.

SUPPORTING AND TROUBLESHOOTING MOBILE DIVICES

  • Describe characteristics of mobile devices.
  • Connect and configure mobile device accessories.
  • Configure network connectivity for mobile devices.
  • Support mobile apps.

INSTALLING, CONFIGURING, AND TROUBLESHOOT PRINT DEVICES

  • Maintain laser printers
  • Maintain inkjet printers
  • Maintain impact, thermal, and 3D printers
  • Install and configure printers
  • Troubleshooting print device issues
  • Install and configure imaging devices

Note: This program can be completed in 6 months. However, students will have online access to this program for a 24-month period.

Education and National Certifications

  • Students should have or be pursuing a high school diploma or GED.
  • There are no state approval and/or state requirements associated with this program.
  • There are several National Certification exams that are available to students who successfully complete this program:
    • CompTIA A+ Certification Exams Core 1 (Exam 220-1001) and Core 2 (Exam 220-1002) as well as CompTIA Network+ Exam (Exam N10-007)

National Certification

Upon successful completion of this Auburn University program, students would be eligible to sit for the CompTIA A+ Certification Exams Core 1 (Exam 220-1001) and Core 2 (Exam 220-1002) as well as CompTIA Network+ Exam (Exam N10-007) exam. Although there are no state approval, state registration or other state requirements for this program, students who complete this program at Auburn University will be prepared and are eligible to sit for the national certification exams. Students who complete this program are encouraged to complete the externship option with their program. Students who complete this program can and do sit for the CompTIA and MOS national certification exams and are qualified, eligible and prepared to do so. Auburn University works with each student to complete the exam application and register the student to take their national certification exam.

Externship / Hands on Training / Practicum

Although not a requirement, once students complete the program, they have the ability to participate in an externship and/or hands on practicum so as to practice the skills necessary to perform the job requirements of a professional in this field. Students will be assisted with completing a resume and/or other requirements necessary to work in this field. All students who complete this program are eligible to participate in an externship and will be placed with a participating organization near their location. Auburrn University works with national organizations and has the ability to place students in externship opportunities nationwide.

Note: No refunds can be issued after the start date published in your Financial Award document.