Course Description
The CompTIA® Storage + exam associated with this course was retired January 2016, however if you are involved in storage or want to become a storage master, then CompTIA®’s Storage+ training is a valuable training resource. Storage+ gives you expertise and skill sets that set you apart from the crowd. This Storage+ course has been certified by CompTIA® as CompTIA® Authorized Quality Curriculum (CAQC) and maps to the Storage+ Exam (Code SG0-001).
CompTIA® Storage+ Part 1 focuses on the fundamentals of storage networking. In Part 1 you will take a bottom up approach and exam the information flow requirements levied on a Storage Network and fully understand how various technologies meet those requirements including:
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Why organizations are moving toward DAS, NAS and SAN
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Comprehensive technical examination of fibre channel, SCSI and IP Storage protocols, along with the role they play in a Storage Network
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The practical problems faced in the heterogeneous world where the "any to any" connectivity provided by SANs can present more problems than it solves
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Identify the techniques used to overcome these problems through the use of volume management, storage resource security and persistent binding
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Hard disk drives, tape drives and solid state storage
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JBOD, RAID Levels and MAID
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LUM presentation, LUN aggregation, LUN dynamic allocation
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LUM thick and thin provisioning and persistent binding
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Understanding the components/products that make up a NAS or SAN
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Examine the design and performance aspects of a SAN
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SCSI and ATA storage protocols
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Parallel SCSI, Parallel ATA, SAS and SATA
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The future of Storage Networks
With the purchase of this course, you receive a bonus course on Networking Concepts! This course will round out your knowledge on basic networking fundamentals. You'll find the link in the Related Links section of the Downloads Tab.
In This Course You Will Learn:
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Compare and contrast storage vs. networks and examine the SNIA Shared Storage Model
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Identify the Technology Hype Cycle and how it has applied to developing technologies over time and identify the Standards that apply to the world of storage networking
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Explain the elements of storage networks including network links, storage, server and network devices and the role they play in Capacity and performance
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Discuss the storage Attachment strategies of DAS, NAS, SAN and FAN and the benefits they bring to the IT infrastructure while comparing Block, File and Object movement in the various storage connections
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Identify the functions and component parts of Disk, Tape, Solid State devices as well as the role of disk and tape controllers
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Configure RAID Levels 0, 1, 5, 6 as well as LUN Aggregation, Thick and Thin Provisioning, Dynamic LUN allocation and Persistent Binding
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Explain the concept of SCSI Initiators, Targets, LUNs and Q Tag in JBOS, RAID and MAID configurations
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Explain the legacy network technology function of Parallel SCSI and Parallel ATA as well as the current networks of SAS and SATA in their role as network transport for storage
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Discuss what storage networks can and cannot do for you
Prerequisites
The exam is targeted toward IT storage professionals with at least twelve months of experience. Though it is not required, CompTIA® A+, CompTIA® Network+ or CompTIA® Security+ certification is recommended.
Outline
Module 00: CompTIA® Storage+ Part 1 - Course Introduction
Module 01: Storage Networking Certification Program
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SNIA Storage Networking Certification Program Overview
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Benefits of Certifications and Qualifications
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Qualification and Certification Program Structure
Module 02: Networks and Storage
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Sound
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Networks or Storage Learning Quiz
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SCSI Devices
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Networks, Storage and Storage Standards Quiz
Module 03: Storage Standards
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Measure
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Best Practices for Storage
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Standards
Module 04: Network Links
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Bandwidth
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Network Link Capacity
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Bandwidth Increase
Module 05: Storage
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Storage Capacity
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Storage Devices
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Storage Anatomy
Module 06: Servers and Network Devices
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Server Capacity
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Server Processors
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Server Virtual Machines
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Network Device Capacity
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Combined Environments
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DAS, NAS, and SAN
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Capacity Terminology Quiz
Module 07: Direct Attached Storage (DAS)
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What’s Important
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Components
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DAS Attachment Strategy
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Files and Blocks
Module 08: Network Attached Storage (NAS)
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NAS Attachment Strategy
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NAS Devices
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NAS Gateway
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Demo comparing NAS and DAS
Module 09: Storage Area Network (SAN)
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SAN Attachment Strategy
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LANS and SAN
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SAN File Sharing
Module 10: File Area Networks (FAN)
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FAN Attachment Strategy
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FAN Components
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FAN Core Elements
Module 11: Hybrids
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Convergence Opportunities
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Hybrid Attachment Strategies
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Network Unified Storage (NUS)
Module 12: “External” and “Internal” SANS
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Understanding “External” and “Internal” SANS
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Virtual Cables
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Protocol Options
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Attachment Strategy Quiz
Module 13: Blocks, Files and Objects
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Anatomy
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Sharing
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Structure
Module 14: Standards and Content Addressable Storage (CAS)
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Organizations
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Components
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Intelligent Storage Node (ISN)
Module 15: Hard Disk Drives (HDD)
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Disk Anatomy
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Disk Striping
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Disk Caching
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Show and Tell: Disk Drive Anatomy with SCSI and ATA drives
Module 16: Disk Markets
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Desktop, Nearline and Enterprise
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Disc Attributes
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SAS and SATA
Module 17: Solid State Drive (SSD)
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SSD Anatomy
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Why SSD?
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SSD Performance
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SSD Quiz
Module 18: Tape Anatomy
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Tape Components
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Tape Recording
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Tape Performance
Module 19: Tape Drive Types
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Tape Attributes
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Tape Capacity
Module 20: More on Tape Drive Types
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LTO Roadmap
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Virtual Tape Libraries (VTL)
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Taping “Shoe Shining” (Back-Hitching)
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Other Removable Media
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Hard Drive and Tape Drive Quiz
Module 21: Just a Bunch of Disks (JBOD)
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JBOD Anatomy
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JBOD Attachment Strategies
Module 22: Storage Array Controllers
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Controller Vendors
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Adapters
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Hot Spare
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Logical Unit Number (LUN) Presentation
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Demo: Configure RAID function
Module 23: Storage Array Controller LUNS
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LUN Aggregation
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Dynamic LUN Expansion
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Thick & Thin Provisioning
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Persistent Binding
Module 24: Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID)
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RAID Function
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RAID Levels
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RAID Performance
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RAID Quiz
Module 25: Combined RAID and Massive Array of Idle Disks (MAID)
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Combined RAID Levels
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MAID Anatomy
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MAID Performance
Module 26: Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) Basics
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SCSI Standards
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SCSI Configurations
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The SCSI Nexus
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Demo: Parallel SCSI Bus Trace - High Level View using SCSI View
Module 27: SCSI Functions
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SCSI Operations
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SCSI Commands
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SCSI Pages
Module 28: SCSI and Parallel SCSI (P-SCSI)
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SCSI Devices
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SCSI Bus Characteristics
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SCSI Bus Phases
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Parallel SCSI Bus Trace Demo Bus Phase View using SCSI View
Module 29: SCSI and SAS, SATA
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Serial Attached SCSI (SAS)
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Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA)
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SAS and SATA Configurations
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SCSI and SAS, SATA Quiz
Bonus Course! Networking Concepts - to access this course, click on the link available in Related Links
Module 01: Introduction to Networking
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Terminology
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Protocols and Standards
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Networking Advantages and Disadvantages
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Networking Requirements
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Anys
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Architecture
Module 02: What is a Layered Stack?
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Layers
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OSI
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World Wide Web (www)
Module 03: Data Structures
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Protocol Data Units (PDU)
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Headers and Trailers
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IP Storage PDU
Module 04: Physical Transport Networks
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Topologies
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LAN
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Backbone Networks
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Interconnection Devices
Module 05: Duplex, Switching and Connections
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Duplex
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Network Models
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Circuit and Packet Switching
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Connection-Oriented vs. Connectionless
Module 06: Bit Rate, Bandwidth, Latency and Throughput
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Parallel vs. Serial
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What about Speed?
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Protocol Performance Data
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Throughput-Bandwidth
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Back to the Future
Module 07: Ports and Phys
Module 08: Names vs. Addresses
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Ethernet
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Name, Address and Route
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Mailing, Pickup and Delivery
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WWN Formats
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Routing
Module 09: Flow Control: SAS and Fibre Channel
Module 10: Flow Control: TCP/IP and Ethernet
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TCP Sliding Windows
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Ethernet Pause
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Shortest Path First
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Priority Flow Control
Module 11: Segmentation and Offload
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Traditional FC SAN
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Traditional NAS
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iSCSI Full Offload
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Not All TOEs are Created Equal
Module 12: Bus, Loop, and Expanse
Certification
This course has been certified by CompTIA as CompTIA Authorized Quality Curriculum (CAQC). It is the only authorized SNIA-sponsored course. This course maps to Storage+ Exam, Code SGO-001.
Exam vouchers can be purchased from the CompTIA Marketplace for the exam. Vouchers are only available for purchase and use at a Pearson VUE test center in North America. Once you place your order, you will receive a confirmation e-mail from CompTIA. This e-mail includes your exam voucher number -- you need this number to register for your exam. It is important that you provide a valid e-mail address and that your system does not block messages from CompTIA.
For all other countries, follow the steps below, making payment as indicated in step 3.
Once you have purchased your voucher, you may register for the exam through Pearson VUE Testing Centers.
1. Visit their site to find the closest testing center to you.
2. Create an online account with Pearson VUE to register for the exam and store your information with the testing center.
3. Schedule the exam online with the testing center of your choice. You can also register by phone or by contacting the testing center directly. You will be required to enter your voucher number or provide payment information at registration.
4. You will receive e-mail confirmation of your registration including any additional details you may need from the testing center.