220-1101 Mobile Devices Study Guide for the CompTIA A+ Core Series Exam

Mobile Device Network Connectivity and Application Support

Mobile devices achieve network connectivity in a variety of ways that may differ from desktop connectivity choices. Application support is provided through network connectivity. Note: You must be able to configure mobile connectivity methods through provided scenarios.

Wireless/Cellular Data Network

A wireless data network is one that is connected via wireless rather than wired methods. Cellular is the largest and farthest-reaching wireless connection method. Enabling and disabling wireless connectivity options is typically reached via the settings page and can be toggled on or off on both Android and iOS devices.

2G/3G/4G/5G

2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G are all cellular connection standards and indicate generations, with each successive generation building on the one that came before.

2G, or 2nd generation, has a max data rate of 64 Kbps with limited network range.
3G sets the data rate standard at 200 Kbps. Both 2G and 3G use traditional telephone circuits.
4G uses IP instead of traditional telephone circuits and comes in two varieties, WiMax and Long-Term Evolution (LTE). It offers a higher range and faster download and upload speeds.
5G was announced in 2016 and implemented in 2018. 5G has three classifications: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) for cell phone and mobile communication, ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) for autonomous vehicles and industrial applications, and massive machine-type communications (mMTC) for sensors supporting Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

Hotspot

A hotspot is a wireless connection method that allows for a shared cellular internet connection with Wi-Fi-capable devices. To enable the hotspot on an iOS device, go to Settings, then Personal Hotspot, and slide toggle to On. To enable a hotspot on an Android device, go to Settings, Connections, Mobile Hotspot, then Tethering, and toggle to On.

Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) vs. Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA)

Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) and Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA) were both cellular connection standards used with 3G technology and were incompatible with one another. GSM was used by AT&T and T-Mobile and was initially slower than CDMA, which was used by Sprint and Verizon. These standards are no longer in use after the technology advanced to 4G.

Preferred Roaming List (PRL) Updates

PRL updates are updates to the reference guide used by mobile phones to connect to the appropriate cell phone tower when roaming and typically update with phone updates.

Bluetooth

The IEEE 802.15 standard specifies criteria for wireless personal area networks (WPAN) that use Bluetooth for data-link transport. It also allows for paired devices to exchange and synchronize data over a Bluetooth connection. The CompTIA A+ exam content lists five steps for Bluetooth pairing.

Step 1: Enable Bluetooth

Bluetooth can be enabled on a device by toggling the Bluetooth connection to On. To connect, both the host and the receiving device must be enabled. On a Windows device, enable Bluetooth by going to Settings, Devices, then Bluetooth and Other Devices, and toggling to On. On an Android device, go to Settings, Connections, then Bluetooth, and toggle to On. On an iOS device, go to Settings, then Bluetooth, and toggle to On.

Step 2: Enable Pairing

The Enable Pairing toggle will appear once Bluetooth is on.

Step 3: Find Device for Pairing

When Bluetooth pairing is enabled, it will locate any pairable Bluetooth devices within its range. The pairable devices will be listed. Choose the appropriate one.

Step 4: Enter the Appropriate PIN Code

When pairing a Bluetooth device, a generated code will typically be displayed for first-time pairing. Enter the appropriate code to link the two devices.

Step 5: Test Connectivity

Once the two devices are paired using Bluetooth, ensure connectivity by testing the connection through data transmission, such as an audio or file transfer.

Location Services

Location services are used to identify device positioning and location and include GPS and cellular location services. Location services can be configured on all mobile devices. To configure location services on an iOS device, go to Settings, Privacy, then Location Services, and toggle to On. To configure location services on an Android device, go to Settings, then Location, and toggle to On. Individual applications have location services options, as well, with varying permissions.

Global Positioning System (GPS) Services

GPS services is a satellite-based navigation system that can provide current location and tracking for enabled devices using triangulation between receivers and satellites. GPS uses three primary components: the satellite constellation, the ground control network, and the receiver.

Cellular Location Services

Cellular location services also use triangulation to determine location, but they use cellular towers instead of satellites to triangulate a receiver’s location. Cellular location services are carrier-based and are limited to within the range of cellular towers.

Mobile Device Management (MDM)/Mobile Application Management (MAM)

Mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) are used to help companies ensure mobile device security. MDM is a software package used to enroll corporate devices for oversight and security. MDM allows for the implementation of security policies on all enrolled devices and offers the ability to remotely track, lock, unlock, encrypt, and wipe mobile devices. MAM is software designed to ensure the security of software on an enrolled mobile device. MAM allows for the remote installation, deletion, encryption, and wipe of corporate applications and related data on an enrolled device.

Corporate Email Configuration

Corporate email configuration connects mobile devices to allow email access to corporate email accounts and can be done through either a commercial provider, such as Gmail, or through a corporate or ISB-based email service. To configure a mobile device to connect to a commercial provider, only the email address and password are usually needed.

To configure an email account on an iOS device, go to Settings, Mail, then Accounts, and choose Add Account. If the account provider is listed, click the provider and provide the proper credentials. If the provider is not listed, click Other, then Add Account. Add the name, email, password, and description, and click Next. Choose IMAP or POP protocol. Configure incoming and outgoing mail server names and click Next. Verify the username and password and click Save.
To configure an email account using an Android device, go to Settings, Accounts and Backup, then Manage Accounts, and choose Add Account. Choose the account type (IMAP, SMTP, or POP), enter the email address and password, and click Next. A validation screen will appear. Click Next to validate.

Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication increases device security by requiring an additional piece of information for access, such as a PIN from a token or authentication application.

Corporate Applications

Corporate applications should be enrolled in a MAM, with all accessing devices enrolled for remote install, wipe, lock, and unlock capabilities.

Mobile Device Synchronization

Mobile device synchronization is the process of mirroring all unique changes and additions from one device to another. Synchronization allows a mobile device to be an extension of a primary computing device. Synchronization can occur via wired connection, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular connection.

Account Setup

Account synchronization setup varies depending on the device and operating system used.

Microsoft 365—Microsoft 365 is a subscription service that offers access to the Microsoft Office Suite of programs and storage space in Microsoft Cloud. To synchronize Microsoft 365 accounts, go to Start, Settings, Accounts, then Sync Your Settings, and toggle to On. This will sync all devices logged in using that particular user credential.

Google Workspace— Android devices often use Google Drive and Google Workspace for synchronization. To sync an Android device, go to Settings, Accounts and Backup, then Backup Data, and toggle to On.

iCloud—iCloud is Apple’s version of the cloud and uses the user’s Apple ID for access. To activate iCloud sync, go to Settings, Apple ID, then iCloud, and toggle to On for synchronization or backups.

Data to Synchronize

All data synchronization utilities typically synchronize the most common types of data, including contacts, applications, email, pictures, music, videos, calendar, bookmarks, documents, location data, social media data, e-books, and passwords.

Mail—Email is synchronized between connected devices to ensure access via all connected devices.

Photos—Photos are commonly synchronized across connected devices.

Calendar—Calendars are synchronized across connected devices and may even synchronize with additional applications and programs to ensure continuity.

Contacts—Contacts, unless otherwise specified, are synchronized across connected devices.

Recognizing Data Caps—A data cap is a limit placed on the amount of data that can be stored in a synchronization location such as a cloud. Data caps are dependent upon the provider and the usage contract of the user. Managing data to stay within the specified data cap is vital to ensure continuity of synchronization.