CompTIA Server+ (2009 Edition) Certification
Examination Objectives
DRAFT
INTRODUCTION

The CompTIA Server+ (2009 Edition) certification is an international vendor neutral credential. The Server+ exam is a validation of “foundation” level server skills and knowledge, and is used by organizations and IT professionals around the globe.
The skills and knowledge measured by this examination are derived from an industrywide Job Task Analysis (JTA) and were validated through a global survey in Q4, 2008.
The results of the survey were used to validate the content of the subject areas (domains) and exam objectives, as well as the overall domain weightings, ensuring the importance of one domain relative to another.
The CompTIA Server+ (2009 Edition) certification is targeted towards individuals with
18-24 months of IT experience. Although not a prerequisite, it is recommended that
CompTIA Server+ candidates hold a CompTIA A+ certification.
This test will certify that the successful candidate has the knowledge and skills required to build, maintain, troubleshoot and support server hardware and software technologies.
The successful candidate will be able to identify environmental issues; understand and comply with disaster recovery and physical / software security procedures; be familiar with industry terminology and concepts; understand server roles / specializations and interaction within the overall computing environment.
The table below lists the domains measured by this examination and the appropriate extent to which they are represented.
Domain
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0

System Hardware
Software
Storage
IT Environment
Disaster Recovery
Troubleshooting
Total

% of Examination
21%
19%
14%
11%
11%
24%
100%

**Note: The lists of examples provided in bulleted format below each objective are not exhaustive lists. Other examples of technologies, processes or tasks pertaining to each objective may also be included on the exam although not listed or covered in this objectives document.
(A list of acronyms used in these Objectives appears at the end of this document.)
CompTIA Server+ (2009 Edition) Exam Objectives
1 of 14
Copyright 2009 by the Computing Technology Industry Association. All rights reserved.
The CompTIA Server+ (2009 Edition) Exam Objectives are subject to change without notice.

1.0 System Hardware
1.1 Differentiate between system board types, features, components and their purposes. • Dip switches / jumpers
• Processor (single and multi)
• Bus types and bus speeds
• On board components o NICs o Video o Audio o USB o HID o Serial o Parallel
• Expansion slots o PCI o PCIe o PCIx o AGP o ISA
• BIOS
• Riser Card / backplane
• Storage connectors o SCSI o SATA o IDE o Floppy
1.2 Deploy different chassis types and the appropriate components
• Cooling o Fans o Water cooled o Passive o Active o Shroud o Ducts o Redundant cooling o Hot swappable o Ventilation
• Form Factor (tower, rack, blade) o Space utilization (U size, height, width, depth)
• Power o Connectors o Voltages o Phase
• Redundant power
• Shut off switches – chassis intrusion
• Power buttons
• Reset buttons
• Diagnostic LEDs
• Expansion bays
CompTIA Server+ (2009 Edition) Exam Objectives
2 of 14
Copyright 2009 by the Computing Technology Industry Association. All rights reserved.
The CompTIA Server+ (2009 Edition) Exam Objectives are subject to change without notice.

1.3 Differentiate between memory features / types and given a scenario select appropriate memory
• Memory pairing
• ECC vs. non ECC
• Registered vs. non-registered
• RAID and hot spares
• Types o DDR o Fully buffered DIMM

•

•

o DDR2 o SDRAM o DDR3
Memory compatibility o Speed o Size o Pins o CAS latency o Timing o Vendor specific memory
On board vs. riser card

1.4 Explain the importance of a Hardware Compatibility List (HCL)
• Vendor standards for hardware
•