Docter Quentin - CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide

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For Kara, Abbie, Lauren, Reina, and Alina

Quentin Docter

For Carl: Thanks for always looking after the baby.

Emmett Dulaney

For Charlotte: Welcome to the world, baby.

Toby Skandier

As we were putting this book together, I was reminded of the proverb that begins, It takes a small village That beginning definitely holds true to create a book of this scope and size. From beginning to end, there are scores of dedicated professionals focused on delivering the best book possible to you, the readers.

First, I need to thank my coauthors, Emmett Dulaney and Toby Skandier. Their dedication to producing an excellent book that will best serve the needs of our readers is inspiring. Now, onto the rest of the team.

Kenyon Brown and Gary Schwartz kept us on track and moving forward, which was a challenge at times. Becca Anderson had the fun job of keeping us organized, which is akin to herding cats. Tech editors Robin Abernathy and Ian Seaton provided a great set of expert eyes and made excellent suggestions. Copyeditor Judy Flynn reminded me yet again that I am no master of the English language and saved me from butchering it (too badly). Many thanks also go out to proofreaders Sarah Kaikini and Jen Larsen at Word One, and our indexer Jack Lewis. Without their great contributions, this book would not have made it into your hands.

Quentin Docter

I would like to thank my coauthors, Quentin Docter and Toby Skandier, without whom this book would have never happened. Thanks are also due to Gary Schwartz for keeping this book on schedule and working tirelessly to turn it into something usable.

Emmett Dulaney

Yet another stellar project with Quentin and Emmett. While we haven't started finishing each other's sentences, we certainly have found our groove, I would say. That turns work into less thereof. Thank you, guys. Thanks also to our tireless editorial and production team. Keep up the great work!

Toby Skandier

Quentin Docter (A+, Network+, IT Fundamentals, MCSE, CCNA, SCSA) is an IT consultant who started in the industry in 1994. Since then, he's worked as a tech and network support specialist, trainer, consultant, and webmaster. He has written several books for Sybex, including books on A+, Server+, IT Fundamentals, Windows, and Solaris 9 certifications as well as PC hardware and maintenance. Quentin can be reached at .

Emmett Dulaney (A+, Network+, and Security+) is an associate professor and the former director of training for Mercury Technical Solution. He holds or has held 18 vendor certifications and is the author of over 30 books, including the CompTIA Security+ Study Guide. He specializes in certification and cross-platform integration, and he is a columnist for Certification Magazine and Campus Technology. Emmett can be reached at .

Toby Skandier (A+, Network +, Cloud+, Storage+, Server+, JNCIS, MCSE, CCNP, and CCSI) began his career in 1985, and he is the founder of Talskan Technologies, LLC, a technical-education provider based in North Carolina. He has coauthored numerous books for Sybex, including Network Administrator Street Smarts and the best-selling Network+ Study Guide. Toby can be reached at .

Welcome to the CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide. This is the third edition of our best-selling study guide for the A+ certification sponsored by CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association).