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Peripherals and Printing Flashcards

6 cards from real ACSP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. What is DisplayPort Alternate Mode (DP Alt Mode) and how does it relate to USB-C on Macs?

    Answer: DP Alt Mode allows the USB-C connector to carry DisplayPort video signals, enabling direct connection of DisplayPort monitors to USB-C/Thunderbolt ports without an HDMI adapter

    DisplayPort Alternate Mode uses the USB-C connector's signal pins to carry DisplayPort video data instead of (or alongside) USB data. This allows connecting DisplayPort monitors directly to USB-C or Thunderbolt ports on Macs using a USB-C to DisplayPort cable or adapter.

  2. A user reports that a USB hub connected to their Mac charges devices but doesn't show up as a data hub — no connected devices appear in System Information. What is likely wrong?

    Answer: The Mac's USB controller needs to be reset; restart the Mac while holding Cmd+Option+P+R

    USB-C cables and hubs come in charge-only and data-capable variants. A charge-only USB-C cable contains only the power delivery wires (no data pairs), so it can charge devices but no data communication occurs. Similarly, some inexpensive hubs are marketed as charging hubs but lack data transfer circuitry.

  3. What is the macOS 'Accessibility' peripheral feature 'Switch Control' and who is it designed for?

    Answer: Switch Control allows users with motor impairments to control the Mac using one or more switches (external buttons, head mouse, eye tracking) instead of a standard keyboard and mouse

    Switch Control is an Accessibility feature for users with severe motor impairments who cannot use a standard keyboard or mouse. It enables full Mac control using one or more switch interfaces — physical buttons, sip-and-puff devices, head tracking cameras, or eye gaze systems.

  4. What are KEXT (Kernel Extensions) and how has Apple changed their handling in modern macOS?

    Answer: KEXTs are code modules loaded into the macOS kernel for hardware drivers; Apple deprecated them in favor of DriverKit (user-space drivers) and System Extensions, requiring user approval for any legacy KEXTs

    KEXTs (Kernel Extensions) run code in the kernel for hardware drivers and system software. Apple deprecated them in favor of user-space alternatives: DriverKit (for hardware drivers), System Extensions (for network/endpoint security), and EndpointSecurity (for security tools). Loading a legacy KEXT requires explicit user approval in Security & Privacy.

  5. How does macOS handle storage enumeration and device class selection for USB storage devices?

    Answer: macOS automatically mounts USB Mass Storage Class (UMS) and USB Attached SCSI Protocol (UASP) storage devices and shows them in Finder; UASP provides higher performance for SSD devices

    macOS automatically detects and mounts USB storage devices using either USB Mass Storage Class (UMS) or UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol). UASP provides significantly better performance for SSD-based storage because it supports native command queuing and reduces CPU overhead.

  6. What is Universal Control in macOS and how does it differ from Target Display Mode?

    Answer: Universal Control allows one Mac keyboard and mouse to control multiple Macs and iPads simultaneously by moving the cursor to the edge of the screen; Target Display Mode made an older iMac act as an external display

    Universal Control (macOS Monterey+) lets one keyboard/mouse/trackpad control multiple Macs and iPads by moving the cursor to screen edges — devices share clipboard and can drag files between them. Target Display Mode (discontinued) made a compatible iMac's display usable as an external monitor for another Mac.