Mobile Devices
This laptop component is responsible for converting DC power from the motherboard to AC power for a CCFL backlight.
What is an Inverter?
This "intelligent" networking device learns MAC addresses to ensure data is only sent to the specific destination port.
What is a Switch?
This type of volatile memory must be constantly refreshed and is the most common form of "System RAM."
What is DRAM?
This "As a Service" model provides the customer with a finished application, like Gmail or Microsoft 365.
What is SaaS (Software as a Service)?
If a PC powers on but immediately shuts off, or if you smell "burning," this component is the most likely failure.
What is the PSU (Power Supply Unit)?
This 24-pin, reversible connector is common on modern Android devices and can transmit both data and power.
What is USB-C?
This protocol is used to automatically assign IP addresses, Subnet Masks, and Default Gateways to clients.
What is DHCP?
This motherboard component or "battery" maintains the system time and BIOS settings when the PC is unplugged.
What is the CMOS Battery?
This type of hypervisor (Native) runs directly on the "bare metal" hardware without an underlying OS.
What is a Type 1 Hypervisor?
A user reports their PC is "extremely slow" and making a clicking sound. You should immediately back up data and replace this.
What is the HDD (Hard Disk Drive)?
This specific type of laptop storage has no moving parts and is significantly faster than a traditional HDD.
What is an SSD (Solid State Drive)?
If a technician needs to securely log into a remote router via a command line, they should use this port (Port 22).
What is SSH?
This modern firmware interface replaced the legacy BIOS and supports larger hard drives and Secure Boot.
What is UEFI?
In a virtualized environment, this is the most important hardware resource to prioritize for running multiple VMs.
What is RAM (Memory)?
These audible signals, heard during the POST process, help identify hardware failures before the video initializes.
What are Beep Codes?
In a laptop, these antennas are typically routed through the display bezel to provide better signal reception.
What are Wi-Fi (or Bluetooth) antennas?
This 8-pin connector is the standard termination for twisted-pair Ethernet cabling.
What is RJ-45?
This type of CPU socket uses pins located on the motherboard rather than on the processor itself.
What is LGA (Land Grid Array)?
This cloud characteristic allows a provider to dynamically add or remove resources based on current demand.
What is Rapid Elasticity?
If a user can access the internet by IP address (8.8.8.8) but not by URL (https://www.google.com/search?q=google.com), this service is likely down.
What is DNS?
This specialized mobile device screen technology doesn't require a backlight because each pixel produces its own light.
What is OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode)?
This networking technology uses existing electrical wiring in a building to transmit data signals.
What is Ethernet over Power (EoP) or Powerline Networking?
To prevent "ghosting" or "burn-in," this display type uses liquid crystals that stay parallel to the panel.
What is IPS (In-Plane Switching)?
This cloud model is shared by multiple organizations that have a common interest, such as a school district or a specific industry.
What is a Community Cloud?
This specific tool is used to test the voltage and continuity of a power supply or a wall outlet.
What is a Multimeter?