WGU D322: INTRODUCTION TO IT
– 2026/2027 ULTIMATE OA PREP
GUIDE
PART 1: INTRODUCTION TO IT – CORE
DOMAINS SUMMARY
Domain 1: IT Infrastructure & Components
This domain covers the foundational building blocks of computing. Hardware
includes the physical components: the CPU (central processing unit, the
"brain"), RAM (volatile memory for active tasks), Storage (non-volatile: HDDs,
SSDs), and Input/Output (I/O) devices (keyboard, mouse, monitor).
Software consists of the Operating System (OS, e.g., Windows, Linux,
macOS, which manages hardware and resources) and Applications (programs
that perform specific user tasks). Networking hardware like Switches (connect
devices on a LAN), Routers (connect networks, e.g., LAN to internet), and
Wireless Access Points (WAPs) enable communication. Together, these form
an integrated Computer System where hardware, software, and networking
work in concert.
Domain 2: Networking & The Internet
Networking is the backbone of IT. Key concepts include the IP Address (logical
network address for a device, e.g., 192.168.1.10), MAC Address (physical,
unique hardware identifier for a network interface), DNS (Domain Name System,
translates human-readable names like google.com to IP addresses), and DHCP
(Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, automatically assigns IP addresses to
devices). The OSI/TCP-IP Model provides a layered framework: Application
(user interface, HTTP), Transport (reliable data delivery, TCP/UDP), Network
(logical addressing and routing, IP), and Data Link (physical addressing, MAC).
The internet is a global network of networks connected via ISPs (Internet
Service Providers) and IXPs (Internet Exchange Points). Networks are classified
as LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), WLAN (Wireless
LAN), and PAN (Personal Area Network), with common topologies like star, bus,
and mesh.
Domain 3: Information Security Fundamentals (2026/2027
Focus)
,The core of security is the CIA Triad: Confidentiality (protecting data from
unauthorized access), Integrity (ensuring data is accurate and unaltered), and
Availability (ensuring systems and data are accessible when needed). Common
threats include Malware (malicious software like viruses, ransomware),
Phishing (social engineering to steal credentials), DDoS (Distributed Denial of
Service, overwhelms a service), and Insider Threats. Basic controls include
Authentication (verifying identity, enhanced by MFA), Authorization
(granting permissions), Encryption (scrambling data for confidentiality), and
Firewalls (network security devices that filter traffic). 2026/2027 Focus:
Increased emphasis on zero-trust architectures ("never trust, always verify")
and heightened awareness of social engineering tactics that exploit human
psychology.
Domain 4: Systems & Software Development
Software is built using structured processes. The Software Development Life
Cycle (SDLC) has key phases: Planning (scope, feasibility), Analysis
(gathering requirements), Design (architecting the solution), Implementation
(coding), Testing (verifying quality), and Maintenance (updates, bug fixes).
Major methodologies are Waterfall (linear, sequential phases) and Agile
(iterative, flexible, customer-focused). Key IT roles include the Systems
Analyst (bridges business and tech), Developer (writes code), and Database
Administrator (manages databases). Development is often segmented into
front-end (user interface, e.g., HTML/CSS/JS), back-end (server, database
logic), and full-stack (both).
Domain 5: Data & Database Management
Data are raw facts, while Information is processed data that has meaning. A
Database is an organized collection of data. In a Relational Database (SQL),
data is stored in Tables made of Records (rows) and Fields (columns).
Primary Keys uniquely identify a record, and Foreign Keys link tables
together. Non-Relational Databases (NoSQL) are more flexible, storing data
as documents, key-value pairs, or graphs, and are suited for unstructured data.
A Database Management System (DBMS) (e.g., MySQL, MongoDB) is the
software that creates, manages, and interacts with databases. Data
warehousing is for storing large amounts of historical data for analysis, and
data mining is the process of discovering patterns in that data.
Domain 6: Web & Cloud Technologies
The modern web is built on HTML (structure), CSS (styling), and JavaScript
(interactivity), served by web servers. Cloud Computing delivers IT resources
over the internet. Service models include: IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service,
e.g., AWS EC2, provides virtualized computing resources), PaaS (Platform as a
, Service, e.g., Google App Engine, provides a platform to build and deploy apps),
and SaaS (Software as a Service, e.g., Gmail, provides a complete, ready-to-use
application). Deployment models are Public (shared infrastructure), Private
(dedicated infrastructure), Hybrid (mix of public and private), and Community
(shared by several organizations). Key benefits are scalability and cost savings,
while considerations include security and vendor lock-in.
Domain 7: IT Operations & Support
IT Operations (Ops) is responsible for the day-to-day running and
maintenance of IT systems. Critical functions include Backup & Disaster
Recovery, where RTO (Recovery Time Objective) is the targeted time to restore
a service, and RPO (Recovery Point Objective) is the targeted maximum data
loss measured in time. Virtualization creates virtual versions of hardware (e.g.,
VMs), and Containerization (e.g., Docker) packages an application and its
dependencies into a single, portable unit. IT Service Management (ITSM) is a
framework for delivering IT services, with ITIL (Information Technology
Infrastructure Library) being a popular set of best practices covering the service
lifecycle (Service Strategy, Design, Transition, Operation, and Continual
Improvement). End-user support (help desk) follows best practices like clear
communication, active listening, and using a ticketing system to track issues.
PART 2: COMPREHENSIVE 85-QUESTION
PRACTICE ASSESSMENT
1. Which hardware component is primarily responsible for executing instructions
and performing calculations in a computer?
A) RAM
B) Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
C) Central Processing Unit (CPU)
D) Network Interface Card (NIC)
Answer: C
*The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is known as the "brain" of the computer. It
fetches, decodes, and executes program instructions, performing arithmetic and
logical operations. RAM (A) is for temporary data storage, an HDD (B) is for
long-term storage, and a NIC (D) connects to a network.*
2. A company subscribes to a service that provides a complete development
environment over the internet, including operating systems, programming
languages, and databases. Which cloud service model is this?
A) Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
B) Platform as a Service (PaaS)
C) Software as a Service (SaaS)
D) Network as a Service (NaaS)
Answer: B
– 2026/2027 ULTIMATE OA PREP
GUIDE
PART 1: INTRODUCTION TO IT – CORE
DOMAINS SUMMARY
Domain 1: IT Infrastructure & Components
This domain covers the foundational building blocks of computing. Hardware
includes the physical components: the CPU (central processing unit, the
"brain"), RAM (volatile memory for active tasks), Storage (non-volatile: HDDs,
SSDs), and Input/Output (I/O) devices (keyboard, mouse, monitor).
Software consists of the Operating System (OS, e.g., Windows, Linux,
macOS, which manages hardware and resources) and Applications (programs
that perform specific user tasks). Networking hardware like Switches (connect
devices on a LAN), Routers (connect networks, e.g., LAN to internet), and
Wireless Access Points (WAPs) enable communication. Together, these form
an integrated Computer System where hardware, software, and networking
work in concert.
Domain 2: Networking & The Internet
Networking is the backbone of IT. Key concepts include the IP Address (logical
network address for a device, e.g., 192.168.1.10), MAC Address (physical,
unique hardware identifier for a network interface), DNS (Domain Name System,
translates human-readable names like google.com to IP addresses), and DHCP
(Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, automatically assigns IP addresses to
devices). The OSI/TCP-IP Model provides a layered framework: Application
(user interface, HTTP), Transport (reliable data delivery, TCP/UDP), Network
(logical addressing and routing, IP), and Data Link (physical addressing, MAC).
The internet is a global network of networks connected via ISPs (Internet
Service Providers) and IXPs (Internet Exchange Points). Networks are classified
as LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), WLAN (Wireless
LAN), and PAN (Personal Area Network), with common topologies like star, bus,
and mesh.
Domain 3: Information Security Fundamentals (2026/2027
Focus)
,The core of security is the CIA Triad: Confidentiality (protecting data from
unauthorized access), Integrity (ensuring data is accurate and unaltered), and
Availability (ensuring systems and data are accessible when needed). Common
threats include Malware (malicious software like viruses, ransomware),
Phishing (social engineering to steal credentials), DDoS (Distributed Denial of
Service, overwhelms a service), and Insider Threats. Basic controls include
Authentication (verifying identity, enhanced by MFA), Authorization
(granting permissions), Encryption (scrambling data for confidentiality), and
Firewalls (network security devices that filter traffic). 2026/2027 Focus:
Increased emphasis on zero-trust architectures ("never trust, always verify")
and heightened awareness of social engineering tactics that exploit human
psychology.
Domain 4: Systems & Software Development
Software is built using structured processes. The Software Development Life
Cycle (SDLC) has key phases: Planning (scope, feasibility), Analysis
(gathering requirements), Design (architecting the solution), Implementation
(coding), Testing (verifying quality), and Maintenance (updates, bug fixes).
Major methodologies are Waterfall (linear, sequential phases) and Agile
(iterative, flexible, customer-focused). Key IT roles include the Systems
Analyst (bridges business and tech), Developer (writes code), and Database
Administrator (manages databases). Development is often segmented into
front-end (user interface, e.g., HTML/CSS/JS), back-end (server, database
logic), and full-stack (both).
Domain 5: Data & Database Management
Data are raw facts, while Information is processed data that has meaning. A
Database is an organized collection of data. In a Relational Database (SQL),
data is stored in Tables made of Records (rows) and Fields (columns).
Primary Keys uniquely identify a record, and Foreign Keys link tables
together. Non-Relational Databases (NoSQL) are more flexible, storing data
as documents, key-value pairs, or graphs, and are suited for unstructured data.
A Database Management System (DBMS) (e.g., MySQL, MongoDB) is the
software that creates, manages, and interacts with databases. Data
warehousing is for storing large amounts of historical data for analysis, and
data mining is the process of discovering patterns in that data.
Domain 6: Web & Cloud Technologies
The modern web is built on HTML (structure), CSS (styling), and JavaScript
(interactivity), served by web servers. Cloud Computing delivers IT resources
over the internet. Service models include: IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service,
e.g., AWS EC2, provides virtualized computing resources), PaaS (Platform as a
, Service, e.g., Google App Engine, provides a platform to build and deploy apps),
and SaaS (Software as a Service, e.g., Gmail, provides a complete, ready-to-use
application). Deployment models are Public (shared infrastructure), Private
(dedicated infrastructure), Hybrid (mix of public and private), and Community
(shared by several organizations). Key benefits are scalability and cost savings,
while considerations include security and vendor lock-in.
Domain 7: IT Operations & Support
IT Operations (Ops) is responsible for the day-to-day running and
maintenance of IT systems. Critical functions include Backup & Disaster
Recovery, where RTO (Recovery Time Objective) is the targeted time to restore
a service, and RPO (Recovery Point Objective) is the targeted maximum data
loss measured in time. Virtualization creates virtual versions of hardware (e.g.,
VMs), and Containerization (e.g., Docker) packages an application and its
dependencies into a single, portable unit. IT Service Management (ITSM) is a
framework for delivering IT services, with ITIL (Information Technology
Infrastructure Library) being a popular set of best practices covering the service
lifecycle (Service Strategy, Design, Transition, Operation, and Continual
Improvement). End-user support (help desk) follows best practices like clear
communication, active listening, and using a ticketing system to track issues.
PART 2: COMPREHENSIVE 85-QUESTION
PRACTICE ASSESSMENT
1. Which hardware component is primarily responsible for executing instructions
and performing calculations in a computer?
A) RAM
B) Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
C) Central Processing Unit (CPU)
D) Network Interface Card (NIC)
Answer: C
*The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is known as the "brain" of the computer. It
fetches, decodes, and executes program instructions, performing arithmetic and
logical operations. RAM (A) is for temporary data storage, an HDD (B) is for
long-term storage, and a NIC (D) connects to a network.*
2. A company subscribes to a service that provides a complete development
environment over the internet, including operating systems, programming
languages, and databases. Which cloud service model is this?
A) Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
B) Platform as a Service (PaaS)
C) Software as a Service (SaaS)
D) Network as a Service (NaaS)
Answer: B
