Many CertMaster lab simulations allow you to apply your knowledge to virtual hardware. This guide contains general instructions to help you get started. You may want to have this document open for reference during your first few hardware labs.
Lab Layout
Lab simulations follow a standard layout. The left sidebar includes the lab scenario and a list of tasks to complete. You’ll use the workspace (center) and right sidebar to perform those tasks.
The main area may show hardware components (shown above), a simulated software environment (shown below), or a map of the area in which you’ll be working (shown below).
The left side of the top bar contains breadcrumbs showing your current location and allowing you to navigate back.
This example (below) shows that you’re in the Windows operating system, on the Office 2 computer, on Floor 1. You can select any of these breadcrumbs to go to that location.
The right side of the top bar includes options to restart or the lab or check your answers. Some labs have additional options here.
Hardware
When managing hardware components, you’ll spend most of your time in a view that shows a scenario and instructions sidebar (left), the workspace (center), and a management toolbar (right).
Workspace
The workspace is the main area where you’ll manage hardware components and make connections. It shows all the items in use right now.
Zoom in and out or change the workspace view to default as needed to see any detailed components.
Some items in the workspace may have multiple views. Select the button next to the workspace item to change views. For example, the system case has multiple views: front, back, motherboard, and drive bays.
Selected Item Area
Selecting any item will give it focus in the “Selected Item” area of the right sidebar. This area shows you the item’s details, such as if it’s used in the workspace or not, its connection status, and any associated connectors (like cable ends).
The info (“i”) icon next to the picture of the selected item (in this example, the System Case) opens a popup to view additional details on the item (if they exist), as well as another view of its associated connections.
Inventory Tab
The inventory tab contains groupings of all the items that haven’t been used in the workspace yet.
Drag items from the inventory and drop them onto the workspace to use them.
Hint: Not all items in the inventory have to be used in a lab.
Items can be dropped to the left or right of other objects in the workspace. A green drop area will show when your cursor is over a drop zone.
Hint: Any item that appears in grey and has a “gripper” icon (6 small dots) may be dragged.
Workspace Tab
The workspace tab in the right sidebar shows a hierarchical “map” of all items currently used in the workspace, as well as their associated connections. This is a great way to quickly see which items have been connected or not.
If you’re ever lost on what to connect, select the “View next partial connection” button in the Workspace tab or view the partial connections icon next to the item in the workspace itself.
Hint: The yellow dot next to the Workspace tab indicates that at least one item in the workspace has a partial connection.
Connecting Cables and Items That Have Cable Ends
Cables and items with cable ends (like power supplies or computer cases) must have each cable end connected individually.
For example, an HDMI-to-HDMI cable has two ends to connect: HDMI end A and HDMI End B. A power supply unit has many cable ends, such as the motherboard power connector and graphics card power connector.
To connect cable ends to various devices, do the following:
- Add the item you want to connect to the workspace.
- Select the item to see it and its cables in the “Selected Item” area.
Open the connection status dropdown to reveal the list of associated cable ends to connect. If there is no dropdown, then the item has no associated cable ends to connect.
Hint: Items with multiple connection ends (like cables or system cases) have a set of numbers next to their connection status. This shows how many of that item’s cable ends are connected or not. For example, “1 / 6”, means there is 1 cable end connected out of 6 total.
Scroll through the Selected Item’s connections and drag any cable ends listed as “Not Connected” to their appropriate location within the workspace. Drop zones will be highlighted in green.
Alternatively, you can drag any “Not Connected” items from the Workspace tab into the workspace itself.
Hint: To remove already-connected items (such as cable ends) from connections within the workspace, drag the item away from its connection point. You must remove all connections of an item to remove the entire item from the workspace.
Hint: While dragging an item, you’ll see a small thumbnail image of that item. When connecting a cable end, your cursor (not the thumbnail image) must be over the drop zone for you to make a successful connection.
When connecting cables, you must connect both ends. A yellow “partial connections” icon appears in the workspace next to items that aren’t fully connected. You can also see items with partial connections in the Workspace tab or when viewing a selected item’s connections.
Hint: You may not need to resolve all partial connections to complete a lab.
Hint: Remember to check the connected status of cable ends. A common mistake is to connect one end and not the other.
Operating System Environment
When the computer and monitor are turned on, you may enter a simulated operating system environment. You can use the breadcrumbs at the top to navigate back to the hardware view, or to the floor layout.
Scoring the Lab
Select “Check Answers” in the upper right to see how you’re doing. From here, you can keep working or submit your work for a score.
Getting Help
Select the question (?) icon at the top right of your home screen for a list of support options.