CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+)
1 Introduction to IT
1-1 Overview of IT
1-2 IT Careers and Job Roles
1-3 IT Certifications
2 Hardware
2-1 Components of a Computer System
2-2 Peripheral Devices
2-3 Storage Devices
2-4 Input and Output Devices
2-5 Power Supplies and Cooling Systems
3 Networking
3-1 Networking Concepts
3-2 Network Types
3-3 Network Components
3-4 Network Configuration
3-5 Network Security
4 Mobile Devices
4-1 Mobile Device Types
4-2 Mobile Device Connectivity
4-3 Mobile Device Management
4-4 Mobile Device Security
5 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting
5-1 Troubleshooting Methodology
5-2 Common Hardware Issues
5-3 Common Network Issues
5-4 Troubleshooting Tools
6 Operating Systems
6-1 Operating System Functions
6-2 Windows Operating Systems
6-3 macOS Operating Systems
6-4 Linux Operating Systems
6-5 Mobile Operating Systems
7 Software Troubleshooting
7-1 Troubleshooting Methodology
7-2 Common Software Issues
7-3 Troubleshooting Tools
8 Security
8-1 Security Concepts
8-2 Threats and Vulnerabilities
8-3 Security Best Practices
8-4 Security Tools and Technologies
9 Operational Procedures
9-1 IT Documentation
9-2 Change Management
9-3 Disaster Recovery
9-4 Safety Procedures
9-5 Environmental Controls
10 Software
10-1 Types of Software
10-2 Software Licensing
10-3 Software Installation and Configuration
10-4 Software Updates and Patches
11 Database Fundamentals
11-1 Database Concepts
11-2 Database Management Systems
11-3 Data Storage and Retrieval
12 Security Best Practices
12-1 User Authentication
12-2 Data Protection
12-3 Network Security Best Practices
12-4 Physical Security
13 Cloud Computing
13-1 Cloud Concepts
13-2 Cloud Service Models
13-3 Cloud Deployment Models
13-4 Cloud Security
14 Virtualization
14-1 Virtualization Concepts
14-2 Virtualization Technologies
14-3 Virtualization Benefits
15 IT Support
15-1 Customer Service Skills
15-2 IT Support Tools
15-3 Troubleshooting Techniques
15-4 Communication Skills
16 Emerging Technologies
16-1 Internet of Things (IoT)
16-2 Artificial Intelligence (AI)
16-3 Blockchain
16-4 Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
15 IT Support Explained

15 IT Support Explained

1. Help Desk Support

Help Desk Support involves providing assistance to users who are experiencing technical issues with hardware, software, or other IT-related problems. Help desk support is often the first point of contact for users seeking technical assistance.

Example: Think of a help desk as a customer service representative at a store. Just as a customer service representative helps customers with their inquiries, a help desk assists users with their technical issues.

2. Technical Support

Technical Support focuses on resolving more complex technical issues that require deeper knowledge and expertise. This level of support often involves troubleshooting hardware, software, and network problems.

Example: Consider technical support as a mechanic. Just as a mechanic diagnoses and repairs complex mechanical issues, technical support diagnoses and resolves complex technical problems.

3. Network Support

Network Support involves maintaining and troubleshooting network infrastructure, including routers, switches, and servers. Network support ensures that the network is functioning correctly and efficiently.

Example: Think of network support as a traffic controller. Just as a traffic controller manages the flow of vehicles, network support manages the flow of data across the network.

4. Hardware Support

Hardware Support focuses on diagnosing and repairing physical components of computers and other devices. This includes replacing faulty parts, upgrading hardware, and ensuring devices are functioning properly.

Example: Consider hardware support as a carpenter. Just as a carpenter fixes and builds physical structures, hardware support fixes and builds physical components of devices.

5. Software Support

Software Support involves troubleshooting and resolving issues related to software applications. This includes installing, configuring, and updating software to ensure it runs smoothly.

Example: Think of software support as a librarian. Just as a librarian organizes and maintains books, software support organizes and maintains software applications.

6. Remote Support

Remote Support allows IT professionals to provide assistance to users from a remote location. This is achieved through tools that enable remote access to the user's computer or device.

Example: Consider remote support as a telemedicine service. Just as a doctor provides medical advice remotely, IT professionals provide technical support remotely.

7. On-Site Support

On-Site Support involves IT professionals physically visiting the user's location to diagnose and resolve technical issues. This is often necessary for hardware-related problems that cannot be fixed remotely.

Example: Think of on-site support as a home repair service. Just as a repairman visits your home to fix issues, IT professionals visit your location to fix technical problems.

8. Cloud Support

Cloud Support focuses on managing and troubleshooting cloud-based services and applications. This includes ensuring data security, performance, and availability of cloud resources.

Example: Consider cloud support as a weather forecaster. Just as a weather forecaster monitors and predicts weather conditions, cloud support monitors and ensures the performance of cloud services.

9. Security Support

Security Support involves protecting IT systems and data from threats and vulnerabilities. This includes implementing security measures, monitoring for threats, and responding to security incidents.

Example: Think of security support as a security guard. Just as a security guard protects a building, security support protects IT systems and data.

10. Backup and Recovery Support

Backup and Recovery Support ensures that data can be restored in the event of data loss or corruption. This includes creating regular backups and testing recovery procedures.

Example: Consider backup and recovery support as an insurance policy. Just as insurance protects you from financial loss, backup and recovery support protects you from data loss.

11. Training and Documentation Support

Training and Documentation Support involves providing users with the knowledge and resources they need to use IT systems effectively. This includes creating user manuals, conducting training sessions, and providing ongoing support.

Example: Think of training and documentation support as a teacher. Just as a teacher educates students, training and documentation support educates users on how to use IT systems.

12. Vendor Support

Vendor Support involves working with software and hardware vendors to resolve issues and obtain necessary updates or replacements. This ensures that the organization's IT systems are up-to-date and functioning correctly.

Example: Consider vendor support as a customer service representative. Just as a customer service representative assists customers with product issues, vendor support assists with IT product issues.

13. User Support

User Support focuses on assisting end-users with their day-to-day IT needs. This includes helping users with software applications, hardware issues, and general IT queries.

Example: Think of user support as a concierge. Just as a concierge assists guests with their needs, user support assists users with their IT needs.

14. Maintenance Support

Maintenance Support involves regularly checking and maintaining IT systems to ensure they are functioning optimally. This includes routine updates, repairs, and preventive maintenance.

Example: Consider maintenance support as a car mechanic. Just as a car mechanic performs regular maintenance to keep a car running smoothly, maintenance support keeps IT systems running smoothly.

15. Incident Management Support

Incident Management Support involves identifying, analyzing, and resolving IT incidents to restore normal service operations as quickly as possible. This includes creating incident response plans and conducting drills.

Example: Think of incident management support as a firefighter. Just as a firefighter responds to and extinguishes fires, incident management support responds to and resolves IT incidents.