Cisco's IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software curriculum introduces the skills needed to help meet growing demand for entry-level information and communication technology (ICT) professionals. It covers the fundamentals of PC technology, networking, and security, and also introduces advanced concepts. While extensive online study resources are available, many have requested a low-cost printed resource for study offline. This booklet is that resource. Drawn directly from the online curriculum, it covers every skill and competency required by the new A+ exams (220-801 and 220-802): * Define IT and describe a computer's components * Protect self, equipment, and the environment * Assemble a desktop computer step-by-step, and install and navigate an operating system * Explain and perform preventive maintenance and basic troubleshooting * Upgrade or replace components of laptops and peripherals * Connect computers to networks * Implement basic security * Communicate well and behave professionally * Assess customer needs, analyze possible configurations, and recommend solutions This booklet enables students to study offline, highlight key points, and take handwritten notes. Its text is extracted word-for-word, from the online course, and headings with exact page correlations link to the online course for classroom discussions and exam preparation. Icons direct readers to the online Cisco Networking Academy curriculum to take full advantage of the images, labs, and activities provided there.

IT Essentials v6 Companion Guide supports the Cisco Networking Academy IT Essentials version 6 course. The course is designed for Cisco Networking Academy students who want to pursue careers in IT and learn how computers work, how to assemble computers, and how to safely and securely troubleshoot hardware and software issues. As CompTIA Approved Quality Content, the course also helps you prepare for the CompTIA A+ certification exams 220-901 and 220-902. Students must pass both exams to earn the CompTIA A+ certification. The features of the Companion Guide are designed to help you study and succeed in this course: Chapter objectives–Review core concepts by answering the focus questions listed at the beginning of each chapter. Key terms–Refer to the updated lists of networking vocabulary introduced, and turn to the highlighted terms in context. Course section numbering–Follow along with the course heading numbers to easily jump online to complete labs, activities, and quizzes referred to within the text. Check Your Understanding Questions and Answer Key–Evaluate your readiness with the updated end-of-chapter questions that match the style of questions you see on the online course quizzes. This icon in the Companion Guide indicates when there is a hands-on Lab to do. All the Labs from the course are compiled and published in the separate book, IT Essentials v6 Lab Manual. Practicing and performing all these tasks will reinforce the concepts and help you become a successful PC technician.

IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Companion Guide, Fifth Edition IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Companion Guide, Fifth Edition, supports the Cisco Networking Academy IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software version 5 course. The course is designed for Cisco Networking Academy students who want to pursue careers in IT and learn how computers work, how to assemble computers, and how to safely and securely troubleshoot hardware and software issues. As CompTIA Approved Quality Content, the course also helps you prepare for the CompTIA A+ certification exams 220-801 and 220-802. CompTIA A+ 220-801 covers the fundamentals of computer technology, installation and configuration of PCs, laptops, related hardware, and basic networking. CompTIA A+ 220-802 covers the skills required to install and configure PC operating systems and configure common features, such as network connectivity and email for Android and Apple iOS mobile operating systems. Students must pass both exams to earn the CompTIA A+ certification. The features of the Companion Guide are designed to help you study and succeed in this course: -- Chapter objectives--Review core concepts by answering the focus questions listed at the beginning of each chapter. -- Key terms--Refer to the updated lists of networking vocabulary introduced, and turn to the highlighted terms in context. -- Course section numbering--Follow along with the course heading numbers to easily jump online to complete labs, activities, and quizzes referred to within the text. -- Check Your Understanding Questions and Answer Key--Evaluate your readiness with the updated end-of-chapter questions that match the style of questions you see on the online course quizzes. -- Glossary in the back of the book to define Key Terms The lab icon in the Companion Guide indicates when there is a hands-on Lab or Worksheet to do. The Labs and Worksheets are compiled and published in the separate book, IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Lab Manual, Fifth Edition. With more than 1300 pages of activities, including Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP variations covered in the CompTIA A+ exam objectives, practicing and performing these tasks will reinforce the concepts and help you become a successful PC technician.

IT Essentials v7 Companion Guide supports the Cisco Networking Academy IT Essentials version 7 course. The course is designed for Cisco Networking Academy students who want to pursue careers in IT and learn how computers work, how to assemble computers, and how to safely and securely troubleshoot hardware and software issues. As CompTIA Approved Quality Content, the course also helps you prepare for the CompTIA A+ certification exams. Students must pass both exams to earn the CompTIA A+ certification. The features of the Companion Guide are designed to help you study and succeed in this course: Chapter objectives--Review core concepts by answering the focus questions listed at the beginning of each chapter. Key terms--Refer to the updated lists of networking vocabulary introduced, and turn to the highlighted terms in context. Course section numbering--Follow along with the course heading numbers to easily jump online to complete labs, activities, and quizzes referred to within the text. Check Your Understanding Questions and Answer Key--Evaluate your readiness with the updated end-of-chapter questions that match the style of questions you see on the online course quizzes.

IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Companion Guide, Fourth Edition, supports the Cisco Networking Academy IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software version 4.1 course. The course provides an introduction to computer components, laptops and portable devices, wireless connectivity, security and safety, environmental concerns, and diagnostic tools. As a CompTIA Authorized Quality Curriculum, the course helps you prepare for the CompTIA A+ certification. The fundamentals part of the course, covered in Chapters 1–10, helps you prepare for the CompTIA A+ Essentials exam (220-701). You learn the fundamentals of computer technology, networking, and security and validate the communication skills and professionalism required of all entry-level IT professionals. The advanced part of the course, covered in Chapters 11–16, helps you prepare for the CompTIA A+ Practical Application exam (220-702), providing more of a hands-on orientation and scenarios in which troubleshooting and tools must be applied to resolve problems. Students must pass both exams to earn the CompTIA A+ certification. The features of the Companion Guide are designed to help you study and succeed in this course: n Chapter objectives—Review core concepts by answering the focus questions listed at the beginning of each chapter. n Key terms—Refer to the updated lists of networking vocabulary introduced and turn to the highlighted terms in context. n Check Your Understanding Questions and Answer Key—Evaluate your readiness with the updated end-of-chapter questions that match the style of questions you see on the online course quizzes. Virtual Desktop, Virtual Laptop, and Packet Tracer Activities, on the CD that accompanies this book, are virtual learning tools to help you develop critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills. New for this edition, Cisco Packet Tracer simulation-based learning activities promote the exploration of networking and network security concepts and allow you to experiment with network behavior. All the Labs, Worksheets, and Class Discussion Exercises from the course are available in the separate book, IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Lab Manual, Fourth Edition. More than 120 activities emphasize the practical application of skills and procedures needed for hardware and software installations, upgrades, and troubleshooting systems. IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Lab Manual Fourth Edition ISBN-10: 1-58713-262-1 ISBN-13: 978-1-58713-262-9 Related Title: IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Course Booklet Version 4.1 ISBN-10: 1-58713-261-3 ISBN-13: 978-1-58713-261-2 Companion CD-ROM The CD-ROM contains all of the Virtual Desktop Activities, Virtual Laptop Activities, and Packet Tracer Activities referenced throughout the book. Designed and developed by the Cisco Networking Academy, these standalone tools supplement classroom learning by providing “hands-on” experience where real equipment is limited. (Note: the Packet Tracer software is not included with this CD. Ask your instructor for access to Packet Tracer.)

IT Essentials v7 Companion Guide supports the Cisco Networking Academy IT Essentials version 7 course. The course is designed for Cisco Networking Academy students who want to pursue careers in IT and learn how computers work, how to assemble computers, and how to safely and securely troubleshoot hardware and software issues. The features of the Companion Guide are designed to help you study and succeed in this course: · Chapter objectives–Review core concepts by answering the focus questions listed at the beginning of each chapter. · Key terms–Refer to the updated lists of networking vocabulary introduced, and turn to the highlighted terms in context. · Course section numbering–Follow along with the course heading numbers to easily jump online to complete labs, activities, and quizzes referred to within the text. · Check Your Understanding Questions and Answer Key–Evaluate your readiness with the updated end-of-chapter questions that match the style of questions you see on the online course quizzes. This book is part of the Cisco Networking Academy Series from Cisco Press®. Books in this series support and complement the Cisco Networking Academy.

IT Essentials v8 Companion Guide supports the Cisco Networking Academy IT Essentials Version 8 course. The course is designed for Cisco Networking Academy students who want to pursue careers in IT and learn how computers work, how to assemble computers, and how to safely and securely troubleshoot hardware and software issues. The features of the Companion Guide are designed to help you study and succeed in this course: Chapter objectives—Review core concepts by answering the focus questions listed at the beginning of each chapter. Key terms—Refer to the updated lists of networking vocabulary introduced and turn to the highlighted terms in context. Course section numbering—Follow along with the course heading numbers to easily jump online to complete labs, activities, and quizzes referred to within the text. Check Your Understanding Questions and Answer Key—Evaluate your readiness with the updated end-of-chapter questions that match the style of questions you see on the online course quizzes.