Learn
Certification Terminology
Foundational terms that appear across public A+, Network+, Security+, Linux, and network-administration study objectives. All questions are original.
- Review hardware, systems, and directory language used in entry-level exams
- Follow a study path without pretending it is an official practice test
- Connect certification topics to the rest of the dictionary
Say what is wrong, state a theory, test that idea, plan the change, confirm the result, and write down what worked. A reboot can be a test. It is not the whole method.
CompTIA A+ inspired path
Hardware, operating systems, troubleshooting, and the support tasks that sit next to networking.
Git in the Zone is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by CompTIA or any certification vendor. These paths point at original explanations of publicly known foundational topics. They are not official practice exams and do not reuse proprietary questions.
CompTIA Network+ inspired path
Models, addressing, switching, routing, name services, and the ports that make traffic recognizable.
Git in the Zone is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by CompTIA or any certification vendor. These paths point at original explanations of publicly known foundational topics. They are not official practice exams and do not reuse proprietary questions.
CompTIA Security+ inspired path
Security goals, cryptography, identity, common attack language, and defensive operations.
Git in the Zone is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by CompTIA or any certification vendor. These paths point at original explanations of publicly known foundational topics. They are not official practice exams and do not reuse proprietary questions.
Introductory ethical hacking
Assessment language, permission, and how common tools fit into authorized work.
This path teaches vocabulary for authorized learning and lab work. It is not an exploit guide, and it is not an official certification product.
Foundational Linux administration
Files, permissions, services, and the commands used to inspect a Linux system you administer.
Original study material for foundational administration. Not an official Linux certification exam.
Foundational network administration
Address plans, name resolution, edge controls, change control, and the commands that check them.
Original study material for day-to-day network administration. Not an official vendor exam.
Hardware
Storage
- RAID
A combination of disks for speed, capacity, or survival of a disk failure.
- Storage Drive
Persistent storage that keeps data after power is removed.
Practice
- Acceptable Use Policy
A written policy for acceptable use of organizational systems and data.
- Change Management
Approving, scheduling, and reviewing changes before they reach production.
- Service Level Agreement
A commitment that defines the service level a provider must meet.
- Troubleshooting Methodology
A repeatable order for finding a cause, applying a fix, and documenting it.
Systems
- File System
The method used to organize and retrieve files on a storage device.
- Operating System
Software that manages hardware, processes, memory, and files for applications.
- Permissions
Rules that state who may read, change, or execute a resource.
- Process
A running instance of a program, with its own identifier and memory.
- Service
A background program that waits for requests, often starting at boot.
Directory
- Active Directory
Microsoft's directory of users, computers, and policies for a Windows domain.
- Domain Controller
A Windows server that answers domain logons and directory queries.
- Group Policy
Centrally managed Windows settings applied to users and computers.
Cloud and virtualization
- Cloud Computing
On-demand shared computing resources, usually delivered over the Internet.
- Container
A packaged application that shares the host kernel but has its own files.
- Hypervisor
The layer that creates virtual machines and allocates them hardware resources.
- Infrastructure as a Service
Rented virtual machines, networks, and storage that you administer above the hardware.
- Platform as a Service
A managed application environment where you deploy code, not guest operating systems.
- Software as a Service
A finished application delivered over the Internet and run by the provider.
- Virtualization
Running virtual computers, each with its own operating system, on shared hardware.
Name services
- A Record
A name-system entry that maps a host name to a 32-bit address.
- DNS Record
One published name-system entry, such as an address, alias, or mail destination.
Address configuration
- DHCP Scope
The pool of addresses and settings a lease server may hand out on one subnet.