Top 22 Windows Server Interview Questions & Answers

1) Explain what is Windows Server?

Window server is a series of server operating system developed by Microsoft Corporation.

2) Explain in windows DNS server what is Primary, Secondary and Stub zone?

In windows DNS server,

• Primary Zone: In this, the file is saved as normal text file with filename (.dns).
• Secondary Zone: It maintains a read-only copy of zone database on another DNS server. Also, it acts as a back-up server to the primary server by providing fault tolerance and load balancing
• Stub Zone: It consists of a copy of name server and SOA records which is used for reducing the DNS search orders.

3) Explain what does IntelliMirror do?

IntelliMirror helps to reconcile desktop settings, applications and stored files for users especially for those users who move between workstations or those who works offline

4) In the case when MSI file is not available, how you can install an app?

To add the application using the Software Installer.ZAP text file can be used rather than the windows installer

5) Explain how you can set up remote installation procedure without giving access to user?

To do that, you have to go to,

gponameà User Configuration à Windows Settings à Remote Installation Services à Choice Options

6) What does it mean by “tattooing” the Registry ?

“ Tattooing” the registry means user can modify and view user preference that are not stored in the maintained portions of the Registry. Even if the group policy is changed or removed, the user preference will still persist in the registry.

7) Mention how many types of queries DNS does?

The types of queries DNS does are

• Iterative Query
• Recursive Query

8) Explain what is the primary function of the domain controller?

Primary function of the domain controller is to validate users to the networks, it also provide a catalog of Active Directory Objects.

9) What information is required when TCP/IP is configured on Window Server?

To configure a TCP/PI client for an IPv4 client, you have to provide the IP address and the subnet mask.

10) Explain what does it mean caching only server in terms of DNS?

The caching only DNS server provides information related to queries based on the data it contains in its DNS cache.

11) Explain what is the way to configure the DHCP server such that it allocates the same IP address to certain devices each time the address is removed?

To configure the DHCP server, you can create a reservation for the device. To create a reservation, you must know the MAC hardware address of the device. To determine the MAC address for a network device you can use the ipconfig or nbs tat command line utilities.

12) Explain what is LDAP?

To look up for the information from the server, e-mail and another program follows or uses the internet protocol. This protocol is referred as LDAP or Lightweight Directory Access Protocol.

13) Explain what is SYSVOL folder?

It is a set of files and folders that is stored on the local hard disk of each domain controller in a domain and are replicated by the FRS ( File Replication Service). These files contain group or user policy information.

14) Explain what is the difference between a thread and a computer process?

Computer Process: In computing, a process is an instance of a computer program that is executed sequentially by a computer system which can run several computer programs concurrently.

Thread: A thread is a several executable program that work together as a single process. For instance, one thread might send an error message to the user; another might handle error signals while the third thread might be executing the original action.

15) Explain what is INODE?

INODE holds the metadata of files; INODE is a pointer to a block on the disk, and it is unique.

In simple words, it is a unique number allocated to a file in UNIX-like OS.

16) Explain what is RAID in Windows Server?

For storing same data at a different place RAID or Redundant Array of Independent Disks strategy is used. It is a strategy for building fault tolerance and increase the storage capacity. On separate drives it allows you to combine one or more volumes so that they are accessed by a single drive letter

17) Explain what is the purpose of deploying local DNS servers?

A local DNS server provides the local mapping of fully qualified domain names to IP addresses. To resolve remote requests related to the domains names on your network, local DNS servers can provide record information to remote DNS servers.

18) To check TCP/IP configurations and IP connectivity, what are the two command line utilities that can be used?

Ipconfig: To check the computer’s IP configuration, command ipconfig can be used and also it can be used to renew the client’s IP address if it is provided by a DHCP server.

Ping: To check the connection between the local computer and any of the other computer device on the network Ping command is used

19) Explain if it is possible to connect Active Directory to other 3 rd party Directory services?

Yes, you can connect other vendors directory services with Microsoft version. By using dirXML or LDAP to connect to other directories.

20) Explain where is the AD database is held?

AD database is saved in %systemroot%/ntds. Files that controls the AD structure are

21) Explain what is the major difference between NTFS ( New Technology File System) or FAT (File Allocation Table) on a local server?

For local users FAT (File Allocation Table) and FAT32 provides security, while NTFS ( New Technology File System) provides security for domain users as well as local users. NTFS provides file level security which is not possible through FAT32.

22) Mention what windows server 2008 service is used to install client operating system over the network?

WDE ( Windows Deployment Services ) allows you to install client and server operating systems over the network to any computer with a PXE enabled network interface

Windows Server Interview Questions

Last Updated: Feb 14, 2021,

Posted in Interview Questions,

22 Questions

Windows Server is a series of different server operating systems that have been developed by the Microsoft Corporation. It has a set of a very powerful version of various desktop operating systems that help users to efficiently handle numerous functions, which include control and handling of networking, databases, etc. As Windows Server makes the functioning of companies and institutions easy, organizations are thus looking for individuals with thorough knowledge and hands-on experience in this field.

Read below some of the commonly asked Windows Server Interview Questions in order to make your entire process of the interview preparation easy. This set of Windows Server Interview Questions also contains various features, pros, and cons of using Windows Server that can give you an upper hand in comparison to other candidates running in the competition in between you and your dream job.

Quick Questions About Windows Server
Windows server is	series of server os.
Windows server is used for	Hosting websites, APIs and enterprise applications.
Windows Server is developed By	Microsoft Corporation
Official website	https://windowsserver.com
User Interface	Command-Line and Graphical
Window Server Licence	Trialware, SaaS or volume licensing
Windows server Current version	Windows Server, version 1903

Windows Interview Questions

Below are the list of Best Windows Server Interview Questions and Answers

1) What is Windows Server?

Windows server is a series of enterprise-class server operating systems which is designed for end-users to share resources/ services with multiple users and provide extensive administrative control of data storage, applications, and corporate networks.

2) What’s new in Windows Server 2019 ?

Windows Server 2019 is the latest release of window server that uses the long-term servicing channel or shortened LTSC.

Its comes with the following features:

• Windows Subsystem for Linux
• Support for Kubernetes
• Other GUI new features from Win10 version 1809
• Storage Space Direct
• Storage Migration Service
• Storage Replica
• System Insights
• Improved Windows Defender

3) Describe an Active Directory in Server?

Active Directory (AD) is an inventory organization that is used in a library to collect objects like customer profiles, computers, etc. It manages the framework effectively with the help of Domain Controllers that are accessible at different zones with the Active Directory database. A segment of the limits fuse essential association with various land zones, check of customers and computers in the space provided by windows, copying Active Directory from any Domain Controller. In addition to which these lines will be reverted to each and every other Domain Controllers.

4) What is the purpose of deploying local DNS servers?

A local DNS server provides the local mapping of fully qualified domain names to IP addresses. To resolve remote requests related to the domains names on your network, local DNS servers can provide record information to remote DNS servers.

5) List the various Active Directory Database files

The numerous Active Directory Database files comprise of the following:

Top 10 Useful Windows Server Interview Questions And Answers

By Priya Pedamkar

Introduction to Windows Server Interview Questions And Answers

So you have finally found your dream job in Windows Server but are wondering how to crack the Windows Server Interview and what could be the probable Windows Server Interview Questions. Every interview is different and the scope of a job is different too. Keeping this in mind we have designed the most common Windows Server Interview Questions and answers to help you get success in your interview.

Below is the top Windows Server Interview Questions that are asked frequently in an interview. These top interview questions are divided into two parts are as follows:

Web development, programming languages, Software testing & others

Part 1 – Windows Server Interview Questions (Basic)

This first part covers basic Windows Server Interview Questions and answers

1. What is an Active Directory?

Answer:
Active Directory (AD) is a directory service which is used in a directory to store objects like user profiles, network information, computers. It helps to manage the network effectively with the help of Domain Controllers which are present at different locations with the Active Directory database. Some of the functions include central administration with multiple geographical locations, authentication of users and computers in a windows domain, replicating Active Directory from any Domain Controller which in turn will be replicated to all other Domain Controller’s.

2. What are some of the roles of FSMO (flexible single master operations)?

Answer:

• Schema Master is a forest-wide role and is available only on each forest
• Domain Naming Master, like Schema Mater this too is a forest-wide role
• Infrastructure Master
• RID Master
• PDC

Let us move to the next Windows Server Interview Questions

3. Tell me about Active Directory Database And List The Active Directory Database Files?

Answer:
The Active Directory database files as follows:

All the Active Directory changes are not written directly to the NTDS.DIT database file. They are first written to EDB.Log and thereon from the log file to the database.

EDB.Che is used to tracking the updates to the database it acts as an update log file to check what operations are performed to the database.

• NTDS.DIT: This is the Active Directory database and contains all the AD objects. The default location is %system root%nrdsnrds.dit, this database is based upon the Jet database.
• EDB.Log: This file is to track the transactions on the database, when EDB.Log is full it gets renamed to EDB Num.log where a num is a number starting from 1 like EDB1.log
• EDB.Che: This file is used to check for the data that is not yet written to a database. This file has the starting point to the data can be recovered during failures.
• Res1.log and Res2.log: Res stands for reserved transaction file which provides the transaction log file enough time to shut down if the disk runs out of space.

4. What is the use of Active Directory Partitions? And How to Find the Active Directory Partitions and there Location?

Answer:
The different type’s of active directory partitions are as below:

• Schema Partition–This partition stores all the details of the objects and their attributes, it also replicates to other domain controllers which are present in the Forest
• Configuration Partition– This partition stores all the information about the Active Directory. The information includes Site, site-link, subnet etc. this partition also replicates to all domain controllers which are present in the Forest
• Domain Partitions– This partition stores the information of the domain which includes user, computer, group, printer etc. this partition also replicates to all domain controllers which are present in the domain.
• Application Partition– This partition stores the applications information in Active Directory.Exampels– ForestDNSZones and DomainDNSZones

5. What are GPOs (Group Policy Objects)?

Answer:
This is the frequently asked Windows Server Interview Questions. The settings that control the working environment of user accounts and computer accounts are known as Group Policy Object (GPO). This help is defining the security options, software installation, registry-based policies and maintenance options, script options and folder redirection options

There are two types of Group Policy Objects:

• Nonlocal Group Policy objects: These are available only in an Active Directory environment and are stored on a domain controller
• Local Group Policy Objects: These are stored on local computers (individual computers)

Part 2 – Windows Server Interview Questions (Advanced)

Let us now have a look at the advanced Windows Server Interview Questions.

6. What do Forests, Trees, and Domains mean?

Answer:
The logical divisions of an Active Directory network are known as forests, trees, and domains.

A logical group of network objects for example computers, users, devices etc which share the same active directory database is known as a domain.
The collection of one or more domains is known as a tree. This may also include a contiguous namespace linked in a transitive trust hierarchy.

The collection of domains is known as the forest which shares a common global catalog, logical structure, directory configuration and directory schema. It also defines the security boundaries for users, groups, and computers.

7. Non-authoritative Restore of Active Directory?

Answer:
During non-authoritative restore, the domain controller is set back to its initial state (the state at the time of backup was taken). Once it’s done it allows overwriting its initial state with the changes that were done after the initial backup was taken.

Now for updating the Active Directory database, queries are fetched by the domain controller from replication partners to ensure that the Active Directory is up to date and accurate. Whenever there is data loss or corruption in the Active Directory this method is used (default).

Let us move to the next Windows Server Interview Questions

8. Authoritative Restore of Active Directory?

Answer:
The second step after a non-authoritative restore is an authoritative restore process. One of the key features of authoritative restore is that it can increment the version numbers of the attributes or an object in an entire directory. This type of restore is used to restore a single deleted user/object. There will be a mismatch in the version numbers and hence care must be taken while restoring using authoritative restore process

9. Explain in windows DNS server What is Primary, Secondary and Stub zone?

Answer:
DNS stands for domain name system, which is used as a reference table to match the domain names to the ip addresses

The below are the three types of zones in Windows DNS server:

• Primary Zone: In the primary zone, the file is saved as a text file with extension being (.dns)
• Secondary Zone: This is a backup for the primary server which acts as load balancing and also provides fault tolerance. This is usually read-only file which is placed in another DNS server
• Stub Zone: This consists of the name server and SOA records which help in reducing the DNS search orders

10. Explain what is the major difference between NTFS (New Technology File System) or FAT (File Allocation Table) on a local server?

Answer:
The major differences between FAT32 and NTFS are as below:

Feature	FAT32	NTFS
Maximum file name	8.3 Characters	255 characters
Maximum file size	4GB	16TB
File/Folder Encryption	No	Yes
Fault Tolerance	No	Auto Repair
Security	Only Network	Local and network
Compression	No	Yes
Conversion	Possible	Not allowed
Compatibility	Win 95/98/2k/2k3/XP	Win NT/2K/XP/Vista/7

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