1) What is the Difference between Win NT and Win 2000?
Ans:
Win NT
Win 2000
No concept of Active directory
Concept of Active directory
PDC,BDC--(read only copy)
DC,ADC--(read ,write copy)
Database stored in SAM(fixed size-40 MB)
Database stored in NTDS.DIT(Not fixed)
Not supported RIS
Supported RIS

2) What is the Difference between Win 2000 and Win 2003?
Ans:
Win 2000
Win 2003
Can’t rename the Domain
Can rename the Domain
No authorization with DHCP
Authorization with DHCP
Can’t create new domain tree in existing forest
Can create new domain tree in existing forest



3) What are the versions in Win 2000?

Ans: win 2000 server and win adv 2000 server and win 2000 Data center server.
4) What are the versions in Win 2003?

Ans: standard version and enterprise version and web version and data center server
5) How much RAM, Processor supported by Win 2000 versions?
Ans: 2000Server: 4GBRAM, 4 Processors, 2000Advanced server: 8GB RAM, 8 Processors, data center server: 64 GB RAM, 32 Processors
6) How much RAM, Processors supported by Win 2003 versions?
Ans: standard – 4Gb , Web- 2 Gb,2 Proce, Enterprise-32 Gb,8 Processors, Data Center – 64 Gb, 32 processors
7) What is the diff between win 2000server and Advanced server?
Ans: Network load balancing and clustering
8) Can I rename the win 2003 DC?
Ans: If you have a Windows 2003 DC, you can use the Netdom tool to rename the DC. The Netdom provides a secure and supported methodology to rename one or more domains. You can find the tool from the Windows 2003 installation CD-ROM
9) What is Privilege mode?
Ans: A protected Memory Space Allocated for the win 2000 kernel that cannot be directly accessed by software applications.
9) In win2000, what is the partition Size, File Size in FAT 16?
Ans: 4 GB partition size and 2 GB File Size.
10) In win2000, what is the partition Size, File Size in FAT 32?
Ans: 2 GB to 2 TB partition size and 4GB file Size
11) In win2000, what is the Partition Size, File Size in NTFS?
Ans: 2 TB Partition size, File size is theoretically 16 Exabytes.
12)what is the difference between FAT and NTFS?
Ans:FAT does not support Data compression and encryption
13) what is the difference between win98 and Windows XP?
Supports Fat16 and Fat32
Supports Fat16 and Fat32,NTFS
No disk quotas
Disk quotas
Only Disk compression
Supports Data compression and encryption
No remote assistance and remote desktop
remote assistance and remote desktop
14)What is System restore?
15)What is the difference between Basic Disk and dynamic Disk?
16)Can you convert dynamic to basic?
17)What is the difference between system restore and last known configuration?
18)What is the difference between remote assistance and remote desktop?
19)What is the difference between IP4.0 and IP 6.0?
20)what is the difference between router and switch?
21)what is the difference between switch and hub?
22) Hub works in which layer?
23) switch works in which Layer?
24) router works in which Layer?
25) Describe all layers?
26)what is the port numbers of FTP,SMTP,Telnet,SMTP,DNS,DHCP,POP3,TFTP,SNTP?

PROFILES
1) What is profile?
Ans: Windows maintains a group of settings for each individual user that logs into he system. This group setting is known as a user ‘profile’.
2) Where are the documents and settings for the roaming profile stored?
Ans: All the documents and environmental settings for the roaming user are stored locally on the system, and, when the user logs off, all changes to the locally stored profile are copied to the shared server folder. Therefore, the first time a roaming user logs on to a new system the logon process may take some time, depending on how large his profile folder is.
3) What is Roaming and Mandatory profile?
Ans: Roaming user profile: A user profile that is copied to a network server so that it can be downloaded each workstation where the user logon
Mandatory profile: A user profile set up by the server administrator that is loaded from the server to the client each times the user logon. Changes that user makes to the profile are not saved
Active directory:
1) What is the organizational unit?
Ans: OU are additional container objects that can store users, computers, groups&other OU’s.
2) What is the use of organizational unit?
Ans: Uses:
1) To control replication traffic
2) To make authentication faster and more efficient.
3) To locate the nearest server providing directory enabled services

3) What is the active directory?
Ans: Active directory is a centralized hierarchical directory database and it’s a directory service which contains information of all user accounts and shared resources on a network.
4) What are the main roles in active directory?
Ans: FSOM stands for flexible Single operation Master
:1)Domain naming master
2)Schema master
3)PDC Emulator
4) RID master
5)Infrastructure master
5) What is the location & file system type where the active directory
Information is installed?
Ans: On NTFS partition, c:\windows\ntds.dit&c:\windows\sysvolv.
6) For the replication between DC&ADC some file are used, what is the location of that Directory?
Ans: c:\windows\sysvolv.
7)What is Kerberos?
Ans: this protocol is an internet standard authentication protocol that provides a higher level of security. More efficient than windows NT LAN Manager
8)What is Win NT LAN Manager (NTLM)?
Ans: This protocol enables users of win95 and win98 and Win NT client’s computers to be authenticated to win 2000 domains. This protocol is only available when win 2000 Active Directory is configured to operate in mixed-mode
9) Which protocol plays the security role for the authentication in 2000&2003?
Ans: KEREBROS
10) What is version of kerebros in 2003 o/s?
Ans: KEREBROS v 5.5

11) What is the protocol used by the active directory to perform it’s function?
Ans: LDAP: Lightweight directory access protocol base on TCP/IP.
12) What is the command, which display the DC? Adc, Member server?
Ans: Net accounts.
13) What is the command to make a server into domain controller in win 2000&2003?
Ans: DCPROMO
14) what is the type of backup is used to take the active directory?
Ans: system state data backup.
15) What command line utility is used on windows 2000 servers domain controllers before they upgrade to plan win2003 domain controllers?
Ans:
1) adprep /forest prep.
(This command must be issued on win 2000server holding schema master role in forest root domain to prepare existing schema to support win2003AD.)
2)adprep /domain prep
(Infrastructure master to be deployed on win 2003 server
Note: adprep tool on win 2003 CD ROM i386 directory

POLICIES :

1) What is group policy?
Ans:
2) Is Win NT supports Group policy?
Ans: NO, Supports only system Policy.
3) What is system policy?
4) What is difference between system policy and group policy?
5) What is policy order?
Ans: Local Group Policy-Site level Policy-Domain level policy-Organizational level policy
6) Will group policy applicable for win 98,win 95 and winNt workstation?
Ans: No, Only applicable for system policy
7) In Win NT, where policies are stored?
Ans: NTCONFIG.POL
8) Suppose your sever is win 2000 and clients are win98and win95 which policy applicable? And where it is stored?
Ans: System policy and policies stored in CONFIG.POL
9) In win 2000, After Assigning policies, which command is to update policies?
Ans: Secedit /refresh policy user-policy/ enforce
Secedit /refresh policy machine-policy/ enforce

10) In win 2003, After Assigning policies, which command is to update policies?
Ans: GPUPDATE
11)what is the order in which group policy is applied?
Ans: Local—Site Level—Domain Level---Organizational Unit

BACKUP:

1)what is user data?
2)what is system state data?
3)what are three primary tasks you can perform using backup?
4)what is emergency repair disk?
5)who can take backup?
6)what are the 2 types of restore you can perform on active directory?
Ans: Authoritative,Non- Authoritative.
7)list 3 win2k tools use to recover a system failure?
8)what is the tool used to create ERD ?
Ans: Backup programme.
9)which type of backup reduce the time In order to take backup daily?
Ans: Incremental backup will take least amount of time.

10)which win2k tool is used to restore of user, data on a DC?
Ans: Backup.
11)what is the command used to add recovery console to the boot loader menu?
Ans: Winnt32 /cmdcons.
12) what is command is used to perform authoritative restore before booting?
Ans: ntdsutil
Authoritative restore
Restore data base
Restore sub tree
13)what is the type of mode in which you try to restore system state data or active directory data base?
Ans: Directory Services restore mode.
14) what is the extension used for a backup file?
Ans: .bkf
15)Name 5 standard types of backups?
Ans: Normal, daily, incremental, differential, copy.
16)Is it possible to backup & restore data on network drive?
Ans: Yes , it is possible.
17)Is it possible to restore system state data on networked pc’s?
Ans: No , It is not possible.
18)what is non authoritative ?
Ans:
19)what is normal backup?
Ans: It is full and complete backup used to backup all selected files and folders. It removes the archive bit form backed up files and folders.
20)what is copy backup?
Ans: A copy backup backs up all selected files and folders .but it does not affect remove or otherwise affect the archive bit.
21) What is incremental?
Ans: It is used to backup all selected files and folders that have changed since last normal backup or incremental backup. It removes archive bit from the backed up file and folders.
It is not cumulative. It takes less time to backup .multiple backup sets are required at the time of restore.
22) What is differential backup?
Ans: It backups all selected files and folders that have changed since last normal backup.
It does not remove the archive bit. It is commulative backup. It takes much time to backup. last backup set is used to restore
23) What is daily backup?
Ans: A daily backup backups all selected files and folders that have changed during the day the back is made.
24) Back utility advanced mode features?
Ans: 1) Backup wizard
2) Restore wizard
3) ERD
25)Backup Wizard
Backup every thing.
Backup selected files, drives.
Only backup system state data.
26) What is non authoritative?
Tape drives & Models
HP DDS3 Dat Tape drive HP DDS3 Dat Tape drive
Model C1537 Model C1537E
SCSI Internal 50 Pin SCSI External 50 Pin
Capacity 12/24 GB Capacity 12/24 GB






Print Management & Administration
1) What is a printer in win2k terminology?
Ans: it is the software interface between win 2k o/s & the device that produces the printer output.
2) Which win2k printing term is defined as a printer that has multiple ports and multiple print devices assigned to it?
Ans: printer Pool
3) Name 3 printer permissions?
Ans: Print, Manage Documents, Manage printers
4) What is EMF?
5) Print Process:
Ans: User starts print process
Using an application ex (Ms word)
Print job (Data & commands to print a document)
Graphical user Interface
Request to drivers
Driver converts file in to EMF or RAW
Backs again into GDI
Win 2k spooler
Determines local or network
Local printer provider Network
Print processor Network local
Print monitor HDD spooler
Communicates Directly to print device Print Processor
Print monitor
Print device
6) What is print spooler?
Ans: printer spooler is a temporary storage area for print jobs waiting to be sent to a print device. Systemroot\system32\spool\printers
7) Who can add printers and manage printer?
Ans: administrators or power users (built in)
8) Adding printer on a remote computer
Ans: start windows explorer>click my network places>entire network>domain or work group>select computer>highlight printer folder> double click printer folder.
9) Adding printers to printer pool
Ans: ports 1) lpt1 2) lpt2 3) lpt3 Enable printer pooling
10) Printer properities
Ans: 99 highest for managers
1 lowest for employees
Note: if managers and employees send print jobs to same print device you can set priorities
11) Print permissions are
Print: send only print jobs to printer
Manage Documents: resume and restart and delete print jobs.
Manage printers: perform all tasks also share printers can change spooler settings and can assign printer permissions.
12)What is a printer?
Ans: printer is software which acts as a interface between the print device and the operating system.
13)What is print device?
Ans: print device is a hardware component which is attached to the system to the print documents.
14)What is local print device?
Ans: print device which is attached to the local system.
15)What is network print device?
Ans:print device which is there in the network.
16) What is print server?
Ans:The computer responsible for managing the print queues for group of printers.
17) What is print queue?
Ans: The collection of print jobs waiting to be printed by a specific printer.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) port: 67
1)What is DHCP?
Ans: DHCP is a TCP/IP protocol that provides that provides way to dynamically allocated IP address to computers on the network.
2)Advantages of DHCP?
Ans: Centrally manages IP address allocation
Helps prevent address conflicts
Reduces administrative effort
Help converse IP addresses
3)What is SCOPE?
Ans: It is range of IP Address which is assigned to computers requesting for a Dynamic IP Address.
4)What is authorization?
Ans: It is Security precaution that ensures that only authorized DHCP Servers Can run in the network..
To avoid computers running illegal DHCP Servers in the network.
5) We’ve installed a new Windows-based DHCP server, however, the users do not seem to be getting DHCP leases off of it.
Ans: The server must be authorized first with the Active Directory.
6)How can you force the client to give up the dhcp lease if you have access to the client PC?
Ans: ipconfig /release
7)Cannot find DHCP Server
Ans: Cause: DHCP service is stopped or disable.
8)How to restore or move a DHCP into another computer
Ans:The DHCP database is contained in the Dhcp.mdb file located in the %SystemRoot%\System32\Dhcp folder. The DHCP server uses this file to record and store information concerning active leases and reservations. After you install a new DHCP, you can copy Dhcp.mdb into the above mentioned location.

9) Describe how the DHCP lease is obtained. It’s a four-step process consisting of
Ans(a) IP request, (b) IP offer, © IP selection and (d) acknowledgement.
10) What is super scope?
Ans: the super scope is assigned a range of IP addresses that can be assigned to DHCP clients that reside on multiple subnets.
11) What is multicast scope?
Ans: the multicast scope contains a range of classD multicast IP address ,and is used to assign these addresses to client computers that request them.
12) What is difference between scope and super scope?
Ans: A scope is assigned a range of IP address that can be assigned to DHCP clients that reside on a single subnet. Where the super scope is assigned a range of IP addresses that can be assigned to DHCP clients that reside on multiple subnets.
13) What is BOOTP?
14) What is range of multicast scope?
Ans: Only IP address range from 224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255
DNS (Domain Naming Service) port -53
What is the difference between WINS and DNS?
Ans: WINS resolves NETBIOS Names to IP address where DNS resolves Host names to IP address
1)List the types of DNS servers?
Ans: Standard primary, standard secondary, active directory integrated zone, root
4)what is the primary purpose of DNS?
Ans: For host resolution.
5) what is start of authority?
Ans: It contains serial no. , this indicates the modification done to the zone.
6)what is Dynamic DNS?
Ans: Dynamically update the service records
7)what is the maximum character size of DNS?
Ans:63
What is the maximum character size of WINS?
9)what is zone or zone file?
Ans: A zone is a Database for either a DNS domain or for a DNS domain and one or more of it’s Sub domains. This storage database is special text file called zone or zone file.
11)why multiple DNS services are created for the same zone?
Ans: load balancing, fault tolerance.
12)what is caching only server?
Ans: Caching only servers does not stores only zones.it resolves host names
To IP address for client computers and stores the resulting mapping information in it’s cache. this DNS server provides the cached information to the client computer with contacting other DNS servers to resolve the query.
It is the temporary storage of zone information.
13)what is zone transfer?
Ans: The process of copying zone to a standard DNS server is called zone transfer.
14)what is master DNS server?
Ans: As the DNS contains the master copy of the zone information is called Master DNS.
15)what is forwarders?
Ans: The queries of one server will be forwarded to other DNS act as forwarder by internal name resolution.
17)which protocol is supported by DNS server?
Ans: Dynamic Updated protocol.
18)what are four service records?
Ans: _msdcs,_sites,_tcp,_udp
19) what are six service records in win 2003?
Ans: -msdcs: (Microsoft Domain controller service)
It contains the information which domain controller is hosting the zone.
Site: In which site the zone has been configured.
Tcp& Udp: These are two protocols that are responsible for communicating with active directory.
Domain DNS Zones & Forest DNS Zones:
In which domain & Forest, DNS has be configured the information.
19) What is Resource record?
Ans: The entries are in zone is called Resource record. The entry may be host name IP address mapping entry.
20) What is the primary thing you have to do on a DNS server before it starts resolution of host name?
21) When will you configure root DNS server?
Ans: : A root server should be used only when a network is not connected to the internet or when a network is connected to the internet or when a network is connected to the internet by using a proxy server
22)what is forward lookup zone?
Ans:Resolves hostnames to ip address.
23)what is reverse look up zone?
Ans: Resolves ip address to hostnames.
24)what is standard primary zone?
Ans: Standard primary DNS server stores DNS entries(IP address to host mapping and other DNS resource records ) in zone file that is maintained on the server. The primary server maintains the master copy of zone file. When changes need to be the zone they should be made only standard primary server.
25)what is standard secondary zone?
Ans: Standard secondary DNS server stores copies of zones from the standard primary.
26) what is root server?
Ans:Root server contains a copy of a zone for the root domain – either the root domain for the internet, or the root domain for a company private, internal network. the purpose of the root server is to enable other DNS servers on a network to access the second level domains on the internet.
Note: A root server should be used only when a network is not connected to the internet or when a network is connected to the internet or when a network is connected to the internet by using a proxy server


27)what is round robin?
Ans: Round robin is used when multiple servers (such as web servers) have identical configurations and identical host names ,but different IP addresses.
28) can you configure root server to use a forwarder?
Ans: NO.
29)what are Root hints?
Ans:Root hints are server names and ip address combination that point to the root servers located either on the internet or on your organization private network.
Root hint tab contains list of DNS Servers can contract to resolve client DNS queries.
Maintains all the information of 13 root servers.
32)what is Active Directory integrated zone?
Ans: Active directory integrated DNS server just like standard primary except DNS entries stored in active directory data store rather than in a zone file. Active directory supports multi master replication when changes need to be made to the zone. They can be on any active directory –integrated DNS server that containg the zone.
33)what is simple query?
Ans: A simple query is a query that DNS server can resolve without contacting any other DNS servers.
34) what is recursive query?
Ans: a recursive is a query that can’t resolve it self it must be contract one or more additional DNS servers to resolve the query.
35) what is scavenging?
Ans: Scavenging is the process of searching for and Deletes stele resource records in a zone
PTR: Pointer resource record
SRV: Service locator resource record

36)What is SRV?
Ans: Used to map specific service (tcp/ip) to list of servers that provide that service.
37) What is CNAME?
Ans: Alias resource record .used to map an additional host name to the actual name of the host.
38) What is stub zone in 2003?
Ans: stub zone contains the information of Name Server & start of authority. It gives the information in which system, in which server, in which domain DNS has been configured
The properties of DNS in Advanced Tab
(Disable Recursion or disable forwarder)
By default this option is unchecked telling that recursive property
is present.
BIND Secondaries:
The zone transfers between the primary & secondary (replication between primary and secondary) BIND is responsible.
Fail on load if bad zone data:
This option is unchecked telling that even if the zone contains some errors it will be loaded if it is checked the zone will not be loaded.
Enable Round Robin:
If the same zone is present in the same subnet the query will be passed on round robin passion until it gets resolved.
Enable Net Mask ordering:
This option is utilized for DNS Server maintained on multihome pc (A pc having multiple NIC cards) and solving the queries of diff clients subnets
Secure cache against pollution:
It secures the cache information by not storing the information of unauthorized DNS servers.

Difference Between Windows 2000 and 2003 Server (For Interview)
1- When installing terminal services for win2000 u r prompted to select application server functions or administrative functions sets can be installed sequently on one server but it performs only one function at one time. But in 2003 still distinguishes between application and administrative services but installation and management are now consolidated.

2- In Win 2000 server we can apply 620 group policies but in 2003 we can apply nearly 720 so Win2003 server is more secure than win 2000 server.

3- In 2000 we cannot rename domain whereas in 2003 we can rename Domain.

4- In 2000 it supports of 8 processors and 64 GB RAM (In 2000 Advance Server) whereas in 2003 supports up to 64 processors and max of 512GB RAM.

5- Win 2000 Supports IIS 5.0 and 2003 Supports IIS6.0

6- Win 2000 doesn’t support Dot net whereas 2003 Supports Microsoft .NET 2.0

7- Win 2000 has Server and Advance Server editions whereas 2003 has Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter and Web server Editions.

8- Win 2000 doesn’t have any 64 bit server operating system whereas 2003 has 64 bit server operating systems (Windows Server 2003 X64 Std and Enterprise Edition)

9- Win 2000 has basic concept of DFS (Distributed File systems) with defined roots whereas Win 2003 has Enhanced DFS support with multiple roots.

10- In 2000 there is complexity in administering Complex networks whereas 2003 is easy administration in all & Complex networks.

11- In 2000 we can create 1 million users and in 2003 we can create 1 billion users.

12- In 2003 we have concept of Volume shadow copy service which is used to create hard disk snap shot which is used in Disaster recovery and 2000 doesn’t have this service.

13- In 2000 we don’t have end user policy management, whereas in 2003 we have a End user policy management which is done in GPMC (Group policy management console).

14- In 2000 we have cross domain trust relation ship and 2003 we have Cross forest trust relationship.

15- Win 2000 Supports 4-node clustering and 2003 supports 8-node clustering.

16- Win 2003 has High HCL Support (Hardware Compatibility List) issued by Microsoft.

17- Code name of 2000 is Win NT 5.0 and Code name of 2003 is Win NT 5.1

18-Win 2003 has service called ADFS (Active Directory Federation Services) which is used to communicate between branches with safe authentication.

19- In 2003 their is improved storage management using service File Server Resource Manager (FSRM).

20- Win 2003 has service called Windows Share point Services (It is an integrated portfolio of collaboration and communication services designed to connect people, information, processes, and systems both within and beyond the organizational firewall).

21- Win 2003 has Improved Print management compared to 2000 server.

22- Win 2003 has telnet sessions available.

23- Win 2000 supports IPV4 whereas 2003 supports IPV4 and IPV6

Understanding the Windows Server 2003 Routing Table

The Windows Server 2003 routing table contains the following standard fields:

* Network Destination
* Netmask
* Gateway
* Interface
* Metric
* Protocol

With Windows Server 2003, you can view the routing table using:

* The route command from the command line. The route commands in Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 are all the same
* The Routing and Remote Access management console. You an access the Routing and Remote Access console by clicking Start, Administrative Tools, and then clicking Routing and Remote Access.

The main differences between the previous routing tables and the Windows Server 2003 routing tables are listed below:

* With Windows Server 2003, the routing metric is automatically calculated by the TCP/IP protocol. The speed of the interface is used to determine the routing metric. The feature is automatically enabled by default.

* With the previous routing tables, the netmask for the Class D multicast is specified as 224.0.0.0. With Windows Server 2003 routing tables, the netmask for the Class D multicast is specified as 240.0.0.0.

* The routing tables in Windows Server 2003 can be viewed and maintained through the Routing and Remote Access management console. In Windows 2000 and Windows XP, routing tables could only be viewed and modified from the command line, using the route command.

How to view the routing table in Window Server 2003:

1. Click Start, Administrative Tools, and click Routing And Remote Access to open the Routing And Remote Access console.
2. In the console tree, expand the IP Routing node.
3. Right-click the Static Routes node, and then select the Show IP Routing Table command from the shortcut menu.
4. When the routing table is viewed from the Routing And Remote Access console, the Protocol field is displayed. The Protocol field indicates the manner in which the route was discovered.

How to add routing table entries using the Routing And Remote Access console:

1. Click Start, Administrative Tools, and click Routing And Remote Access to open the Routing
And Remote Access console.
2. In the console tree, expand the IP Routing node.
3. To view the routing table for an interface, right-click the specific interface, and then select
Show IP routing Table from the shortcut menu.
4. To add a static routing table entry, expand the IP Routing node, and then select Static routes.
5. Right-click Static Routes, and click Add Static Route on the shortcut menu.
6. The Static Route dialog box opens.
7. From the Interface drop-down list box, select the interface.
8. Enter a value for Destination.
9. Enter a value for Network mask.
10. Enter a value for Gateway.
11. Enter a value for Metric.
12. Leave the demand-dial connections checkbox enabled if the route is to be used for demand-
dial connections.
13. Click OK.

How to delete routing table entries using the Routing And Remote Access console

1. Click Start, Administrative Tools, and click Routing And Remote Access to open the Routing And Remote Access console.
2. In the console tree, expand the IP Routing node.
3. Select Static Routes to display the current static routes in the right pane.
4. Locate and select the static route that you want to remove from the IP routing table.
5. Right-click the specific static route, and then select Delete from the shortcut menu.
6. The static route is immediately removed from the routing table.

How to disable the automatic metric calculation feature:

1. Click Start, Control Panel, and then click Network Connections.
2. Select Local Area Connection.
3. The Local Area Connection Properties dialog box opens.
4. In the This connection uses the following items box, select the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
Click Properties.
5. When the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box opens, click Advanced.
6. The Advanced TCP/IP Settings dialog box contains a number of tabs: IP Settings tab, DNS
tab, WINS tab and Options tab.
7. The IP Settings tab is divided into the following areas:
* IP addresses
* Default gateways
* Automatic metric
8. In the Automatic metric area of the IP Settings tab, uncheck the Automatic metric checkbox
to disable the automatic metric calculation feature.
9. You can manually enter the Interface metric once the automatic metric calculation feature is
disabled.
10. Proceed to set the value for the Interface metric in the available field.
11. Click OK to save your changes and close the Advanced TCP/IP Settings dialog box.
12. Click OK to close the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box.
13. Click OK to close the Local Area Connection Properties dialog box.

Read more: http://discuss.itacumens.com/index.php/topic,7315.0.html?PHPSESSID=28288303d3eaa24724c03d8ace67138d#ixzz1FtZDI29H

# What is presentation layer responsible for in the OSI model? The presentation layer establishes the data format prior to passing it along to the network application’s interface. TCP/IP networks perform this task at the application layer.

# Does Windows Server 2003 support IPv6? Yes, run ipv6.exe from command line to disable it.

# Can Windows Server 2003 function as a bridge? Yes, and it’s a new feature for the 2003 product. You can combine several networks and devices connected via several adapters by enabling IP routing.

# What’s the difference between the basic disk and dynamic disk? The basic type contains partitions, extended partitions, logical drivers, and an assortment of static volumes; the dynamic type does not use partitions but dynamically manages volumes and provides advanced storage options

# What’s a media pool? It is any compilation of disks or tapes with the same administrative properties.

# How do you install recovery console? C:\i386\win32 /cmdcons, assuming that your Win server installation is on drive C.

# What’s new in Terminal Services for Windows 2003 Server? Supports audio transmissions as well, although prepare for heavy network load.

# What scripts ship with IIS 6.0? iisweb.vsb to create, delete, start, stop, and list Web sites, iisftp.vsb to create, delete, start, stop, and list FTP sites, iisdir.vsb to create, delete, start, stop, and display virtual directories, iisftpdr.vsb to create, delete, start, stop, and display virtual directories under an FTP root, iiscnfg.vbs to export and import IIS configuration to an XML file.

# What’s the name of the user who connects to the Web site anonymously? IUSR_computername

# What secure authentication and encryption mechanisms are supported by IIS 6.0? Basic authentication, Digest authentication, Advanced digest authentication, Certificate-based Web transactions that use PKCS #7/PKCS #10, Fortezza, SSL, Server-Gated Cryptography, Transport Layer Security

# What’s the relation between SSL and TLS? Transport Layer Security (TLS) extends SSL by providing cryptographic authentication.

# What’s the role of http.sys in IIS? It is the point of contact for all incoming HTTP requests. It listens for requests and queues them until they are all processed, no more queues are available, or the Web server is shut down.

# Where’s ASP cache located on IIS 6.0? On disk, as opposed to memory, as it used to be in IIS 5.

# What is socket pooling? Non-blocking socket usage, introduced in IIS 6.0. More than one application can use a given socket.

# Describe the process of clustering with Windows 2003 Server when a new node is added. As a node goes online, it searches for other nodes to join by polling the designated internal network. In this way, all nodes are notified of the new node’s existence. If other nodes cannot be found on a preexisting cluster, the new node takes control of the quorum resources residing on the shared disk that contains state and configuration data.

# What applications are not capable of performing in Windows 2003 Server clusters? The ones written exclusively for NetBEUI and IPX.

# What’s a heartbeat? Communication processes between the nodes designed to ensure node’s health.

# What’s a threshold in clustered environment? The number of times a restart is attempted, when the node fails.

# You need to change and admin password on a clustered Windows box, but that requires rebooting the cluster, doesn’t it? No, it doesn’t. In 2003 environment you can do that via cluster.exe utility which does not require rebooting the entire cluster.

# For the document of size 1 MB, what size would you expect the index to be with Indexing Service? 150-300 KB, 15-30% is a reasonable expectation.

# Doesn’t the Indexing Service introduce a security flaw when allowing access to the index? No, because users can only view the indices of documents and folders that they have permissions for.

# What’s the typical size of the index? Less then 100K documents - up to 128 MB. More than that - 256+ MB.

# Which characters should be enclosed in quotes when searching the index? &, @, $, #, ^, ( ), and |.

# How would you search for C++? Just enter C++, since + is not a special character (and neither is C).

# What about Barnes&Noble? Should be searched for as Barnes’&’Noble.

# Are the searches case-sensitive? No.

# What’s the order of precedence of Boolean operators in Microsoft Windows 2003 Server Indexing Service? NOT, AND, NEAR, OR.

# What’s a vector space query? A multiple-word query where the weight can be assigned to each of the search words. For example, if you want to fight information on ‘black hole’, but would prefer to give more weight to the word hole, you can enter black[1] hole[20] into the search window.

# What’s a response queue? It’s the message queue that holds response messages sent from the receiving application to the sender.

# What’s MQPing used for? Testing Microsoft Message Queue services between the nodes on a network.

# Which add-on package for Windows 2003 Server would you use to monitor the installed software and license compliance? SMS (System Management Server).

# Which service do you use to set up various alerts? MOM (Microsoft Operations Manager).

# What languages does Windows Scripting Host support? VB, VBScript, JScript.

Windows Server 2003 Interview Questions & Answers

1. How do you double-boot a Win 2003 server box?

The Boot.ini file is set as read-only, system, and hidden to prevent unwanted editing. To change the Boot.ini timeout and default settings, use the System option in Control Panel from the Advanced tab and select Startup.

2. What do you do if earlier application doesn’t run on Windows Server 2003?

When an application that ran on an earlier legacy version of Windows cannot be loaded during the setup function or if it later malfunctions, you must run the compatibility mode function. This is accomplished by right-clicking the application or setup program and selecting Properties –> Compatibility –> selecting the previously supported operating system.

3. If you uninstall Windows Server 2003, which operating systems can you revert to?

Win ME, Win 98, 2000, XP. Note, however, that you cannot upgrade from ME and 98 to Windows Server 2003.

4. How do you get to Internet Firewall settings?

Start –> Control Panel –> Network and Internet Connections –> Network Connections.

5. What are the Windows Server 2003 keyboard shortcuts?

Winkey opens or closes the Start menu. Winkey + BREAK displays the System Properties dialog box. Winkey + TAB moves the focus to the next application in the taskbar. Winkey + SHIFT + TAB moves the focus to the previous application in the taskbar. Winkey + B moves the focus to the notification area. Winkey + D shows the desktop. Winkey + E opens Windows Explorer showing My Computer. Winkey + F opens the Search panel. Winkey + CTRL + F opens the Search panel with Search for Computers module selected. Winkey + F1 opens Help. Winkey + M minimizes all. Winkey + SHIFT+ M undoes minimization. Winkey + R opens Run dialog. Winkey + U opens the Utility Manager. Winkey + L locks the computer.

6. What is Active Directory?

Active Directory is a network-based object store and service that locates and manages resources, and makes these resources available to authorized users and groups. An underlying principle of the Active Directory is that everything is considered an object—people, servers, workstations, printers, documents, and devices. Each object has certain attributes and its own security access control list (ACL).

7. Where are the Windows NT Primary Domain Controller (PDC) and its Backup Domain Controller (BDC) in Server 2003?

The Active Directory replaces them. Now all domain controllers share a multimaster peer-to-peer read and write relationship that hosts copies of the Active Directory.

8. How long does it take for security changes to be replicated among the domain controllers?

Security-related modifications are replicated within a site immediately. These changes include account and individual user lockout policies, changes to password policies, changes to computer account passwords, and modifications to the Local Security Authority (LSA).

9. What’s new in Windows Server 2003 regarding the DNS management?

When DC promotion occurs with an existing forest, the Active Directory Installation Wizard contacts an existing DC to update the directory and replicate from the DC the required portions of the directory. If the wizard fails to locate a DC, it performs debugging and reports what caused the failure and how to fix the problem. In order to be located on a network, every DC must register in DNS DC locator DNS records. The Active Directory Installation Wizard verifies a proper configuration of the DNS infrastructure. All DNS configuration debugging and reporting activity is done with the Active Directory Installation Wizard.

10. When should you create a forest?

Organizations that operate on radically different bases may require separate trees with distinct namespaces. Unique trade or brand names often give rise to separate DNS identities. Organizations merge or are acquired and naming continuity is desired. Organizations form partnerships and joint ventures. While access to common resources is desired, a separately defined tree can enforce more direct administrative and security restrictions.
11. How can you authenticate between forests?

Four types of authentication are used across forests: (1) Kerberos and NTLM network logon for remote access to a server in another forest; (2) Kerberos and NTLM interactive logon for physical logon outside the user’s home forest; (3) Kerberos delegation to N-tier application in another forest; and (4) user principal name (UPN) credentials.

Read more: http://discuss.itacumens.com/index.php?topic=19663.0#ixzz1FtY6pAmV

# How do you double-boot a Win 2003 server box?
The Boot.ini file is set as read-only, system, and hidden to prevent unwanted editing. To change the Boot.ini timeout and default settings, use the System option in Control Panel from the Advanced tab and select Startup.

# What do you do if earlier application doesn’t run on Windows Server 2003?
When an application that ran on an earlier legacy version of Windows cannot be loaded during the setup function or if it later malfunctions, you must run the compatibility mode function. This is accomplished by right-clicking the application or setup program and selecting Properties –> Compatibility –> selecting the previously supported operating system.

# If you uninstall Windows Server 2003, which operating systems can you revert to? Win ME, Win 98, 2000, XP. Note, however, that you cannot upgrade from ME and 98 to Windows Server 2003.

# How do you get to Internet Firewall settings?
Start –> Control Panel –> Network and Internet Connections –> Network Connections.

# What are the Windows Server 2003 keyboard shortcuts?
Winkey opens or closes the Start menu. Winkey + BREAK displays the System Properties dialog box. Winkey + TAB moves the focus to the next application in the taskbar. Winkey + SHIFT + TAB moves the focus to the previous application in the taskbar. Winkey + B moves the focus to the notification area. Winkey + D shows the desktop. Winkey + E opens Windows Explorer showing My Computer. Winkey + F opens the Search panel. Winkey + CTRL + F opens the Search panel with Search for Computers module selected. Winkey + F1 opens Help. Winkey + M minimizes all. Winkey + SHIFT+ M undoes minimization. Winkey + R opens Run dialog. Winkey + U opens the Utility Manager. Winkey + L locks the computer.

# What is Active Directory?
Active Directory is a network-based object store and service that locates and manages resources, and makes these resources available to authorized users and groups. An underlying principle of the Active Directory is that everything is considered an object—people, servers, workstations, printers, documents, and devices. Each object has certain attributes and its own security access control list (ACL).

# Where are the Windows NT Primary Domain Controller (PDC) and its Backup Domain Controller (BDC) in Server 2003?
The Active Directory replaces them. Now all domain controllers share a multimaster peer-to-peer read and write relationship that hosts copies of the Active Directory.

# How long does it take for security changes to be replicated among the domain controllers?
Security-related modifications are replicated within a site immediately. These changes include account and individual user lockout policies, changes to password policies, changes to computer account passwords, and modifications to the Local Security Authority (LSA).

# What’s new in Windows Server 2003 regarding the DNS management?
When DC promotion occurs with an existing forest, the Active Directory Installation Wizard contacts an existing DC to update the directory and replicate from the DC the required portions of the directory. If the wizard fails to locate a DC, it performs debugging and reports what caused the failure and how to fix the problem. In order to be located on a network, every DC must register in DNS DC locator DNS records. The Active Directory Installation Wizard verifies a proper configuration of the DNS infrastructure. All DNS configuration debugging and reporting activity is done with the Active Directory Installation Wizard.

# When should you create a forest?
Organizations that operate on radically different bases may require separate trees with distinct namespaces. Unique trade or brand names often give rise to separate DNS identities. Organizations merge or are acquired and naming continuity is desired. Organizations form partnerships and joint ventures. While access to common resources is desired, a separately defined tree can enforce more direct administrative and security restrictions.

# How can you authenticate between forests?
Four types of authentication are used across forests: (1) Kerberos and NTLM network logon for remote access to a server in another forest; (2) Kerberos and NTLM interactive logon for physical logon outside the user’s home forest; (3) Kerberos delegation to N-tier application in another forest; and (4) user principal name (UPN) credentials.

# What snap-in administrative tools are available for Active Directory?
Active Directory Domains and Trusts Manager, Active Directory Sites and Services Manager, Active Directory Users and Group Manager, Active Directory Replication (optional, available from the Resource Kit), Active Directory Schema Manager (optional, available from adminpak)

# What types of classes exist in Windows Server 2003 Active Directory?

* Structural class. The structural class is important to the system administrator in that it is the only type from which new Active Directory objects are created. Structural classes are developed from either the modification of an existing structural type or the use of one or more abstract classes.

* Abstract class. Abstract classes are so named because they take the form of templates that actually create other templates (abstracts) and structural and auxiliary classes. Think of abstract classes as frameworks for the defining objects.

* Auxiliary class. The auxiliary class is a list of attributes. Rather than apply numerous attributes when creating a structural class, it provides a streamlined alternative by applying a combination of attributes with a single include action.

* 88 class. The 88 class includes object classes defined prior to 1993, when the 1988 X.500 specification was adopted. This type does not use the structural, abstract, and auxiliary definitions, nor is it in common use for the development of objects in Windows Server 2003 environments.

# How do you delete a lingering object?
Windows Server 2003 provides a command called Repadmin that provides the ability to delete lingering objects in the Active Directory.

# What is Global Catalog?
The Global Catalog authenticates network user logons and fields inquiries about objects across a forest or tree. Every domain has at least one GC that is hosted on a domain controller. In Windows 2000, there was typically one GC on every site in order to prevent user logon failures across the network.

# How is user account security established in Windows Server 2003?
When an account is created, it is given a unique access number known as a security identifier (SID). Every group to which the user belongs has an associated SID. The user and related group SIDs together form the user account’s security token, which determines access levels to objects throughout the system and network. SIDs from the security token are mapped to the access control list (ACL) of any object the user attempts to access.

# If I delete a user and then create a new account with the same username and password, would the SID and permissions stay the same?
No. If you delete a user account and attempt to recreate it with the same user name and password, the SID will be different.

# What do you do with secure sign-ons in an organization with many roaming users? Credential Management feature of Windows Server 2003 provides a consistent single sign-on experience for users. This can be useful for roaming users who move between computer systems. The Credential Management feature provides a secure store of user credentials that includes passwords and X.509 certificates.

# Anything special you should do when adding a user that has a Mac?
"Save password as encrypted clear text" must be selected on User Properties Account Tab Options, since the Macs only store their passwords that way.

# What remote access options does Windows Server 2003 support?
Dial-in, VPN, dial-in with callback.

# Where are the documents and settings for the roaming profile stored?
All the documents and environmental settings for the roaming user are stored locally on the system, and, when the user logs off, all changes to the locally stored profile are copied to the shared server folder. Therefore, the first time a roaming user logs on to a new system the logon process may take some time, depending on how large his profile folder is.

# Where are the settings for all the users stored on a given machine?
\Document and Settings\All Users

# What languages can you use for log-on scripts? JavaScipt, VBScript, DOS batch files (.com, .bat, or even .exe)

# What’s the difference between local, global and universal groups? Domain local groups assign access permissions to global domain groups for local domain resources. Global groups provide access to resources in other trusted domains. Universal groups grant access to resources in all trusted domains.

# I am trying to create a new universal user group. Why can’t I? Universal groups are allowed only in native-mode Windows Server 2003 environments. Native mode requires that all domain controllers be promoted to Windows Server 2003 Active Directory.

# What is LSDOU? It’s group policy inheritance model, where the policies are applied to Local machines, Sites, Domains and Organizational Units.

# Why doesn’t LSDOU work under Windows NT? If the NTConfig.pol file exist, it has the highest priority among the numerous policies.

# Where are group policies stored? %SystemRoot%System32\GroupPolicy

# What is GPT and GPC? Group policy template and group policy container.

# Where is GPT stored? %SystemRoot%\SYSVOL\sysvol\domainname\Policies\GUID

# You change the group policies, and now the computer and user settings are in conflict. Which one has the highest priority? The computer settings take priority.

# You want to set up remote installation procedure, but do not want the user to gain access over it. What do you do? gponame–> User Configuration–> Windows Settings–> Remote Installation Services–> Choice Options is your friend.

# What’s contained in administrative template conf.adm? Microsoft NetMeeting policies

# How can you restrict running certain applications on a machine? Via group policy, security settings for the group, then Software Restriction Policies.

# You need to automatically install an app, but MSI file is not available. What do you do? A .zap text file can be used to add applications using the Software Installer, rather than the Windows Installer.

# What’s the difference between Software Installer and Windows Installer? The former has fewer privileges and will probably require user intervention. Plus, it uses .zap files.

# What can be restricted on Windows Server 2003 that wasn’t there in previous products? Group Policy in Windows Server 2003 determines a users right to modify network and dial-up TCP/IP properties. Users may be selectively restricted from modifying their IP address and other network configuration parameters.

# How frequently is the client policy refreshed? 90 minutes give or take.

# Where is secedit? It’s now gpupdate.

# You want to create a new group policy but do not wish to inherit. Make sure you check Block inheritance among the options when creating the policy.

# What is "tattooing" the Registry? The user can view and modify user preferences that are not stored in maintained portions of the Registry. If the group policy is removed or changed, the user preference will persist in the Registry.

# How do you fight tattooing in NT/2000 installations? You can’t.

# How do you fight tattooing in 2003 installations? User Configuration - Administrative Templates
- System - Group Policy - enable - Enforce Show Policies Only.

# What does IntelliMirror do? It helps to reconcile desktop settings, applications, and stored files for users, particularly those who move between workstations or those who must periodically work offline.

# What’s the major difference between FAT and NTFS on a local machine? FAT and FAT32 provide no security over locally logged-on users. Only native NTFS provides extensive permission control on both remote and local files.

# How do FAT and NTFS differ in approach to user shares? They don’t, both have support for sharing.

# Explan the List Folder Contents permission on the folder in NTFS. Same as Read & Execute, but not inherited by files within a folder. However, newly created subfolders will inherit this permission.

# I have a file to which the user has access, but he has no folder permission to read it. Can he access it? It is possible for a user to navigate to a file for which he does not have folder permission. This involves simply knowing the path of the file object. Even if the user can’t drill down the file/folder tree using My Computer, he can still gain access to the file using the Universal Naming Convention (UNC). The best way to start would be to type the full path of a file into Run… window.

# For a user in several groups, are Allow permissions restrictive or permissive? Permissive, if at least one group has Allow permission for the file/folder, user will have the same permission.

# For a user in several groups, are Deny permissions restrictive or permissive? Restrictive, if at least one group has Deny permission for the file/folder, user will be denied access, regardless of other group permissions.

# What hidden shares exist on Windows Server 2003 installation? Admin$, Drive$, IPC$, NETLOGON, print$ and SYSVOL.

# What’s the difference between standalone and fault-tolerant DFS (Distributed File System) installations? The standalone server stores the Dfs directory tree structure or topology locally. Thus, if a shared folder is inaccessible or if the Dfs root server is down, users are left with no link to the shared resources. A fault-tolerant root node stores the Dfs topology in the Active Directory, which is replicated to other domain controllers. Thus, redundant root nodes may include multiple connections to the same data residing in different shared folders.

# We’re using the DFS fault-tolerant installation, but cannot access it from a Win98 box. Use the UNC path, not client, only 2000 and 2003 clients can access Server 2003 fault-tolerant shares.

# Where exactly do fault-tolerant DFS shares store information in Active Directory? In Partition Knowledge Table, which is then replicated to other domain controllers.

# Can you use Start->Search with DFS shares? Yes.

# What problems can you have with DFS installed? Two users opening the redundant copies of the file at the same time, with no file-locking involved in DFS, changing the contents and then saving. Only one file will be propagated through DFS.

# I run Microsoft Cluster Server and cannot install fault-tolerant DFS. Yeah, you can’t. Install a standalone one.

# Is Kerberos encryption symmetric or asymmetric? Symmetric.

# How does Windows 2003 Server try to prevent a middle-man attack on encrypted line? Time
stamp is attached to the initial client request, encrypted with the shared key.

# What hashing algorithms are used in Windows 2003 Server? RSA Data Security’s Message Digest 5 (MD5), produces a 128-bit hash, and the Secure Hash Algorithm 1 (SHA-1), produces a 160-bit hash.

# What third-party certificate exchange protocols are used by Windows 2003 Server? Windows Server 2003 uses the industry standard PKCS-10 certificate request and PKCS-7 certificate response to exchange CA certificates with third-party certificate authorities.

# What’s the number of permitted unsuccessful logons on Administrator account? Unlimited. Remember, though, that it’s the Administrator account, not any account that’s part of the Administrators group.

# If hashing is one-way function and Windows Server uses hashing for storing passwords, how is it possible to attack the password lists, specifically the ones using NTLMv1? A cracker would launch a dictionary attack by hashing every imaginable term used for password and then compare the hashes.

# What’s the difference between guest accounts in Server 2003 and other editions? More restrictive in Windows Server 2003.

# How many passwords by default are remembered when you check "Enforce Password History Remembered"? User’s last 6 passwords.

* What is virtualization (in general)?
* What are the 4 major virtualization areas?
* Describe the major benefits of Server Virtualization.
* What is the difference between hosted virtualization and hypervisor-based virtualization?
* What's the idea behind Type 1 and Type 2 methods of virtualization?
* Talk briefly about the history of Microsoft-based virtualization products.
* What is Hyper-V?
* Name a few competitive products that can be compared (even roughly) with Hyper-V.
* What are the major differences between Hyper-V RTM and Hyper-V R2? Name some of the major differences.
* What are the hardware requirements for Hyper-V?
* How many logical CPUs does Hyper-V R2 support?
* How much RAM can be assigned to VMs in Hyper-V R2?
* What's Microsoft Hyper-V Server?
* Describe the process of installing Hyper-V from scratch on a brand new Dell R710 machine.
* ...
* What types of network connections does Hyper-V allow?
* When building a new Hyper-V host, what would your networking considerations be?
* Why is it important to leave one physical NIC for the host OS?
* Talk about MAC address ranges and potential issues with Hyper-V RTM. How was this solved in R2?
* ...
* What are the different virtual disk options in Hyper-V?
* When considering performance, what type 0f virtual disk would you use?
* What are pass-through disks?
* Talk about hot adding and hot removing disks in Hyper-V R2.
* What are VM snapshots?
* Talk about performance considerations and other "issues" with VM snapshots.
* What's the difference between applying, deleting and reverting to snapshots?
* ...
* Describe the process of creating a new VM from scratch.
* Where does Hyper-V place the files and settings for VMs, by default? How do you change that?
* What are synthetic drivers?
* What are emulated drivers?
* When creating a new VM that'll run Windows Server 2008, what type of NIC would you create?
* Following the previous question, what type of NIC would you create for a WIN PE-based VM? Why?
* Migrating a Windows Server 2003 VM from Virtual Server 2005, what type of NIC would you need to use?
* Creating a new VM, what type of disk controller would you need to use for the VM's system disk?
* ...
* What are Integration Components?
* Talk about certain issues with hosting DCs virtually.
* What are "Enlightened Partitions"?
* What OSs are supported on Hyper-V?
* What types of backups can you use for VMs?
* Talk about performing backups of VMs and VSS.
* How do you export a VM? Mention a couple of methods.
* ...
* Talk about domain membership considerations for Hyper-V hosts.
* Where can you manage Hyper-V hosts from?
* What is RSAT?
* How would you manage Hyper-V from a Windows 7-based machine?
* Talk about permission issues in regards of managing Hyper-V hosts.
* What is AZMAN?
* ...
* Talk about the licensing benefits of Hyper-V under the various editions of Windows Server 2008.
* Wanting to create a failover cluster on 2 Hyper-V nodes in Windows Server 2008 R2, what edition of Windows would you prefer? Why?
* ...
* Talk about Hyper-V-based high availability.
* What's Quick Migration?
* What's Live Migration?
* Talk about downtime issues with Quick Migration vs. Live Migration.
* Talk about the steps needed to be taken in order to setup a Live Migration setup.
* What is CSV?
* Can you create a Live Migration setup without CSV? Explain.
* Mention a few methods for initiating a Live Migration movement of VMs between one host and another.
* ...
* How do you monitor the performance of your VMs?
* How do you know how much memory a specific VM uses?
* How do you know what's the I/O used on a Hyper-V host?
* How do you monitor the bandwidth used by a specific VM?
* Talk about SCVMM, SCOM, SCCM and Hyper-V.
* Talk about WMI and Hyper-V.

* What is Active Directory?
* What is LDAP?
* Where is the AD database held? What other folders are related to AD?
* Talk about all the AD-related roles in Windows Server 2008/R2.
* What are the new Domain and Forest Functional Levels in Windows Server 2008/R2?
* What is the SYSVOL folder?
* What are the AD naming contexts (partitions)s and replication issues for each NC?
* What are application partitions?
* What applications or services use AD application partitions? Name a couple.
* How do you create a new application partition?
* What are the requirements for installing AD on a new server?
* What can you do to promote a server to DC if you're in a remote location with slow WAN link?
* ...
* How do you view replication properties for AD partitions and DCs?
* What is the Global Catalog?
* How do you view all the GCs in the forest?
* Why not make all DCs in a large forest as GCs?
* Talk about GCs and Universal Groups.
* Describe the time synchronization mechanism in AD.
* What is ADSIEDIT? What is NETDOM? What is REPADMIN?
* What is DCDIAG? When would you use it?
* ...
* What are sites? What are they used for?
* What's the difference between a site link's schedule and interval?
* What is the KCC?
* What is the ISTG? Who has that role by default?
* Talk about sites and GCs.
* Talk about sites and Exchange Server 2007/2010.
* ...
* What is GPO?
* Describe the way GPO is applied throughout the domain.
* What can you do to prevent inheritance from above?
* How can you override blocking of inheritance?
* Name some of the major changes in GPO in Windows Server 2008.
* What are ADM files? What replaced them in Windows Server 2008?
* What's the GPO repository? How do you use it?
* What are GPO Preferences?
* Which client OSs can use GPO Preferences?
* What are GPO Templates?
* What are WMI Filters?
* What is the concept behind GPO Filtering?
* How can you determine what GPO was and was not applied for a user? Name a few ways to do that.
* A user claims he did not receive a GPO, yet his user and computer accounts are in the right OU, and everyone else there gets the GPO. What will you look for?
* You want to standardize the desktop environments (wallpaper, My Documents, Start menu, printers etc.) on the computers in one department. How would you do that?
* ...
* What are the major changes in AD in Windows Server 2008?
* What are the major changes in AD in Windows Server 2008 R2?
* What is the AD Recycle Bin? How do you use it?
* What is tombstone lifetime attribute?
* What are AD Snapshots? How do you use them?
* What is Offline Domain Join? How do you use it?
* What are Fine-Grained Passwords? How do you use them?
* Talk about Restartable Active Directory Domain Services in Windows Server 2008/R2. What is this feature good for?
* What are the changes in auditing in Windows Server 2008/R2?
* ...
* How can you forcibly remove AD from a server, and what do you do later?
* Can I get user passwords from the AD database?
* What tool would I use to try to grab security related packets from the wire?
* Talk about PowerShell and AD.
* ...
* How do you backup AD?
* How do you restore AD?
* Talk about Windows Backup and AD backups.
* How do you change the DS Restore admin password?
* Why can't you restore a DC that was backed up 7 months ago?
* What's NTDSUTIL? When do you use it?
* ...
* What are RODCs?
* What are the major benefits of using RODCs?
* How do you install an RODC?
* Talk about RODCs and passwords.
* What is Read Only DNS?
* What happens when a remote site with an RODC loses connectivity to the main site?
* ...
* Talk about Server Core and AD.
* How do you promote a Server Core to DC?
* ...
* What are the FSMO roles? Who has them by default? What happens when each one fails?
* How can you tell who holds each FSMO role? Name a 2-3 of methods.
* What FSMO placement considerations do you know of?
* You want to look at the RID allocation table for a DC. What do you need to do?
* What's the difference between transferring a FSMO role and seizing one? Which one should you NOT seize? Why?

* What is FSB?
* What are Vcore and Vi/o?
* On what type of socket can you install a Pentium 4 CPU?
* What is SMP?
* Which Intel and AMD processors support SMP?
* How do LGA sockets differ from PGA and SEC?
* What is the difference between Pentium 4 and Pentium Core 2 Duo? Explain the new technology.
* How does IRQ priority works?
* What technology enables you to upgrade your computer's BIOS by simply using a software?
* What happens if you dissemble the battery located on the Mother-Board?
* How do L1, L2, and L3 work?
* How should we install RAM on a Dual-Channel Motherboard?
* What is the advantage of serial over parallel bus?
* Is USB using serial or parallel bus? What about Firewire?
* How much power is supplied to each USB port?
* When should you change your bus-powered USB hub to a self-powered USB hub?
* What is a UPS?
* What is the difference between standby and online UPS?
* What is LBA (in Hard-Disks)?
* How many Hard Disks can you install on an E-IDE controller?
* Can you configure two hard disks to use the Master setting on the same PC?
* What is the difference between Narrow-SCSI and Wide-SCSI?
* What is SAS?
* What are the three main reasons for using RAID?
* Is RAID 0 considered to be a redundant Solution? Why?
* How many disks can be used for RAID 1?
* How RAID 5 works?
* What is the smallest number of disks required for RAID5?
* What other types of RAID do you know?
* What are the six steps for laser printing?
* What is the difference between PCI-EX x1 and PCI-EX x16?

Microsoft-based Operating Systems

* What is the difference between a workgroup and a domain?
* What are the major advantages of working in a domain model?
* What types of operating system installation methods do you know?
* What is an answer file?
* How would you create an answer file for Windows XP? How would you create one for Windows Vista?
* How do you perform an unattended installation on Windows XP?
* What is Sysprep?
* How do you use Sysprep?
* What is the major difference between Newsid and Sysprep?
* What is the function of the pagefile.sys file?
* What is the function of the hiberfil.sys file?
* What is the Registry?
* How can you edit the Registry? Name at least 3 ways of doing that.
* What should you do if you receive a message stating: "The following file is missing or corrupt: 'WINDOWS'SYSTEM32'CONFIG'SYSTEM"?
* How would you repair an unsuccessful driver update?
* When should you use each of the fallowing tools: System Restore, LKGC and Recovery Console?
* How do you set different print priority for different users?
* How can you reset user's passwords if you don't know his current password?
* What's the difference between changing a user's password and resetting it?
* You want to grant a user the right to perform backups – should you add him to the administrators group?
* What is MMC?
* What is gpedit.msc?
* How would you use the MMC to manage other servers on your network?
* You set a local policy for your Stand-alone XP Professional – would the local policy effects the administrators group?
* What new in the Windows Vista Local Policy?
* What is the difference between User Privileges and User Permissions?
* What is Safe Mode?
* Which logs can be found in Event Viewer?
* What is msconfig? On which OS can it be found?
* Can you upgrade XP Home Edition to Server 2003?
* Which permission will you grant a user for a folder he need to be able to create and delete files in, if you do not want him to be able to change permissions for the folder?
* What is the difference between clearing the "allow" permission and checking the "deny"?

Networking

* What is a NIC?
* What is a MAC Address?
* When would you use a crosslink cable?
* What are the main advantages and disadvantages of Fiber-Optic-based networks?
* What is the difference between a Hub and a Switch?
* On which OSI layer can a router be found?
* What is CSMA/CD?
* What is multicast?
* What is Broadcast?
* What is the difference between TCP and UDP?
* Describe some of the settings that are added by TCP and by UDP to the packet's header.
* What are TCP Ports? Name a few.
* What is a TCP Session?
* What three elements make up a socket?
* What will happen if you leave the default gateway information empty while manually configuring TCP/IP?
* What will happen if you execute the following command: "arp –d *"?
* What is ICMP?
* When would you use the ping command with the "-t" switch?
* What command-line tool would help you discover for which port numbers your computer is listening?
* What is APIPA? How would you recognize it?
* What is a Cyclic Redundancy Check?
* What would you type in at a command prompt to view the IP settings for the computer that you are sitting at?
* What command would you type in at a command prompt to view the IP address of the remote computer?
* What is the W Value for class B?
* What is the Net ID of an IP Address of 18.9.25.3 with Subnet Mask of 255.0.0.0?
* What is CIDR?
* What is 255.255.255.255 used for?
* What is the maximum number of hosts for a Class B Network?
* What is the (default) class type of 195.152.12.1?
* What is the subnet mask for 10.0.10.1/17?
* What is the result when changing from a subnet mask of 255.255.224.0 to a subnet mask of 255.255.240.0?
* How can you access a shared folder from a remote computer? Name at least 3 methods.

* Tell me a bit about the capabilities of Exchange Server.
* What are the different Exchange 2003 versions?
* Name some of the main differences between Exchange 5.5 and Exchange 2000/2003?
* What are the major network infrastructure requirements for installing Exchange 2003?
* What is the latest Exchange 2003 Service Pack? Name a few changes in functionality in that SP.
* What are the disk considerations when installing Exchange (RAID types, locations and so on).
* You got a new HP DL380 (2U) server, dual Xeon, 4GB of RAM, 7 SAS disks, 64-bit. What do you do next to install Exchange 2003? (considering you already have AD in place)
* Why shouldn't you install Exchange on the same machine as a DC?
* Why shouldn't you install Outlook on the same machine as an Exchange server?
* Are there any other installation considerations?
* How would you prepare the AD Schema in advance before installing Exchange?
* What type or permissions do you need in order to install the first Exchange server in a forest? In a domain?
* How would you verify that the schema was in fact updated?
* What type of memory optimization changes could you do for Exchange 2003?
* How would you check your Exchange configuration settings to see if they're right?
* What are the Exchange management tools? How and where can you install them?
* What types of permissions are configurable for Exchange?
* How can you grant access for an administrator to access all mailboxes on a specific server?
* What is the Send As permission?
* What other management tools are used to manage and control Exchange 2003? Name the tools you'd use.
* What are Exchange Recipient types? Name 5.
* You created a mailbox for a user, yet the mailbox does not appear in ESM. Why?
* You wanted to change mailbox access permissions for a mailbox, yet you see the SELF permission alone on the permissions list. Why?
* What are Query Based Distribution groups?
* What type of groups would you use when configuring distribution groups in a multiple domain forest?
* Name a few configuration options for Exchange recipients.
* What's the difference between Exchange 2003 Std. and Ent. editions when related to storage options and size?
* Name a few configuration options related to mailbox stores.
* What are System Public Folders? Where would you find them?
* How would you plan and configure Public Folder redundancy?
* How can you immediately stop PF replication?
* How can you prevent PF referral across slow WAN links?
* What types of PF management tools might you use?
* What are the differences between administrative permissions and client permissions in PF?
* How can you configure PF replication from the command prompt in Exchange 2003?
* What are the message hygiene options you can use natively in Exchange 2003?
* What are the configuration options in IMF?
* What are virtual servers? When would you use more than one?
* Name some of the SMTP Virtual Server configuration options.
* What is a Mail Relay? Name a few known mail relay software or hardware options.
* What is a Smart Host? Where would you configure it?
* What are Routing Groups? When would you use them?
* What are the types of Connectors you can use in Exchange?
* What is the cost option in Exchange connectors?
* What is the Link State Table? How would you view it?
* How would you configure mail transfer security between 2 routing groups?
* What is the Routing Group Master? Who holds that role?
* Explain the configuration steps required to allow Exchange 2003 to send and receive email from the Internet (consider a one-site multiple server scenario).
* What is DS2MB?
* What is Forms Based Authentication?
* How would you configure OWA's settings on an Exchange server?
* What is DSACCESS?
* What are Recipient Policies?
* How would you work with multiple recipient policies?
* What is the "issue" with trying to remove email addresses added by recipient policies? How would you fix that?
* What is the RUS?
* When would you need to manually create additional RUS?
* What are Address Lists?
* How would you modify the filter properties of one of the default address lists?
* How can you create multiple GALs and allow the users to only see the one related to them?
* What is a Front End server? In what scenarios would you use one?
* What type of authentication is used on the front end servers?
* When would you use NLB?
* How would you achieve incoming mail redundancy?
* What are the 4 types of Exchange backups?
* What is the Dial-Tone server scenario?
* When would you use offline backup?
* How do you re-install Exchange on a server that has crashed but with AD intact?
* What is the dumpster?
* What are the e00xxxxx.log files?
* What is the e00.chk file?
* What is circular logging? When would you use it?
* What's the difference between online and offline defrag?
* How would you know if it is time to perform an offline defrag of your Exchange stores?
* How would you plan for, and perform the offline defrag?
* What is the eseutil command?
* What is the isinteg command?
* How would you monitor Exchange's services and performance? Name 2 or 3 options.
* Name all the client connection options in Exchange 2003.
* What is Direct Push? What are the requirements to run it?
* How would you remote wipe a PPC?
* What are the issues with connecting Outlook from a remote computer to your mailbox?
* How would you solve those issues? Name 2 or 3 methods
* What is RPC over HTTP? What are the requirements to run it?
* What is Cached Mode in OL2003/2007?
* What are the benefits and "issues" when using cached mode? How would you tackle those issues?
* What is S/MIME? What are the usage scenarios for S/MIME?
* What are the IPSec usage scenarios for Exchange 2003?
* How do you enable SSL on OWA?
* What are the considerations for obtaining a digital certificate for SSL on Exchange?
* Name a few 3rd-party CAs.
* What do you need to consider when using a client-type AV software on an Exchange server?
* What are the different clustering options in Exchange 2003? Which one would you choose and why.

* What is Active Directory?
* What is LDAP?
* Can you connect Active Directory to other 3rd-party Directory Services? Name a few options.
* Where is the AD database held? What other folders are related to AD?
* What is the SYSVOL folder?
* Name the AD NCs and replication issues for each NC
* What are application partitions? When do I use them
* How do you create a new application partition
* How do you view replication properties for AD partitions and DCs?
* What is the Global Catalog?
* How do you view all the GCs in the forest?
* Why not make all DCs in a large forest as GCs?
* Trying to look at the Schema, how can I do that?
* What are the Support Tools? Why do I need them?
* What is LDP? What is REPLMON? What is ADSIEDIT? What is NETDOM? What is REPADMIN?
* What are sites? What are they used for?
* What's the difference between a site link's schedule and interval?
* What is the KCC?
* What is the ISTG? Who has that role by default?
* What are the requirements for installing AD on a new server?
* What can you do to promote a server to DC if you're in a remote location with slow WAN link?
* How can you forcibly remove AD from a server, and what do you do later? • Can I get user passwords from the AD database?
* What tool would I use to try to grab security related packets from the wire?
* Name some OU design considerations.
* What is tombstone lifetime attribute?
* What do you do to install a new Windows 2003 DC in a Windows 2000 AD?
* What do you do to install a new Windows 2003 R2 DC in a Windows 2003 AD?
* How would you find all users that have not logged on since last month?
* What are the DS* commands?
* What's the difference between LDIFDE and CSVDE? Usage considerations?
* What are the FSMO roles? Who has them by default? What happens when each one fails?
* What FSMO placement considerations do you know of?
* I want to look at the RID allocation table for a DC. What do I do?
* What's the difference between transferring a FSMO role and seizing one? Which one should you NOT seize? Why?
* How do you configure a "stand-by operation master" for any of the roles?
* How do you backup AD?
* How do you restore AD?
* How do you change the DS Restore admin password?
* Why can't you restore a DC that was backed up 4 months ago?
* What are GPOs?
* What is the order in which GPOs are applied?
* Name a few benefits of using GPMC.
* What are the GPC and the GPT? Where can I find them?
* What are GPO links? What special things can I do to them?
* What can I do to prevent inheritance from above?
* How can I override blocking of inheritance?
* How can you determine what GPO was and was not applied for a user? Name a few ways to do that.
* A user claims he did not receive a GPO, yet his user and computer accounts are in the right OU, and everyone else there gets the GPO. What will you look for?
* Name a few differences in Vista GPOs
* Name some GPO settings in the computer and user parts.
* What are administrative templates?
* What's the difference between software publishing and assigning?
* Can I deploy non-MSI software with GPO?
* You want to standardize the desktop environments (wallpaper, My Documents, Start menu, printers etc.) on the computers in one department. How would you do that?

Technical Interview Questions – Networking

* What is an IP address?
* What is a subnet mask?
* What is ARP?
* What is ARP Cache Poisoning?
* What is the ANDing process?
* What is a default gateway? What happens if I don't have one?
* Can a workstation computer be configured to browse the Internet and yet NOT have a default gateway?
* What is a subnet?
* What is APIPA?
* What is an RFC? Name a few if possible (not necessarily the numbers, just the ideas behind them)
* What is RFC 1918?
* What is CIDR?
* You have the following Network ID: 192.115.103.64/27. What is the IP range for your network?
* You have the following Network ID: 131.112.0.0. You need at least 500 hosts per network. How many networks can you create? What subnet mask will you use?
* You need to view at network traffic. What will you use? Name a few tools
* How do I know the path that a packet takes to the destination?
* What does the ping 192.168.0.1 -l 1000 -n 100 command do?
* What is DHCP? What are the benefits and drawbacks of using it?
* Describe the steps taken by the client and DHCP server in order to obtain an IP address.
* What is the DHCPNACK and when do I get one? Name 2 scenarios.
* What ports are used by DHCP and the DHCP clients?
* Describe the process of installing a DHCP server in an AD infrastructure.
* What is DHCPINFORM?
* Describe the integration between DHCP and DNS.
* What options in DHCP do you regularly use for an MS network?
* What are User Classes and Vendor Classes in DHCP?
* How do I configure a client machine to use a specific User Class?
* What is the BOOTP protocol used for, where might you find it in Windows network infrastructure?
* DNS zones – describe the differences between the 4 types.
* DNS record types – describe the most important ones.
* Describe the process of working with an external domain name
* Describe the importance of DNS to AD.
* Describe a few methods of finding an MX record for a remote domain on the Internet.
* What does "Disable Recursion" in DNS mean?
* What could cause the Forwarders and Root Hints to be grayed out?
* What is a "Single Label domain name" and what sort of issues can it cause?
* What is the "in-addr.arpa" zone used for?
* What are the requirements from DNS to support AD?
* How do you manually create SRV records in DNS?
* Name 3 benefits of using AD-integrated zones.
* What are the benefits of using Windows 2003 DNS when using AD-integrated zones?
* You installed a new AD domain and the new (and first) DC has not registered its SRV records in DNS. Name a few possible causes.
* What are the benefits and scenarios of using Stub zones?
* What are the benefits and scenarios of using Conditional Forwarding?
* What are the differences between Windows Clustering, Network Load Balancing and Round Robin, and scenarios for each use?
* How do I work with the Host name cache on a client computer?
* How do I clear the DNS cache on the DNS server?
* What is the 224.0.1.24 address used for?
* What is WINS and when do we use it?
* Can you have a Microsoft-based network without any WINS server on it? What are the "considerations" regarding not using WINS?
* Describe the differences between WINS push and pull replications.
* What is the difference between tombstoning a WINS record and simply deleting it?
* Name the NetBIOS names you might expect from a Windows 2003 DC that is registered in WINS.
* Describe the role of the routing table on a host and on a router.
* What are routing protocols? Why do we need them? Name a few.
* What are router interfaces? What types can they be?
* In Windows 2003 routing, what are the interface filters?
* What is NAT?
* What is the real difference between NAT and PAT?
* How do you configure NAT on Windows 2003?
* How do you allow inbound traffic for specific hosts on Windows 2003 NAT?
* What is VPN? What types of VPN does Windows 2000 and beyond work with natively?
* What is IAS? In what scenarios do we use it?
* What's the difference between Mixed mode and Native mode in AD when dealing with RRAS?
* What is the "RAS and IAS" group in AD?
* What are Conditions and Profile in RRAS Policies?
* What types or authentication can a Windows 2003 based RRAS work with?
* How does SSL work?
* How does IPSec work?
* How do I deploy IPSec for a large number of computers?
* What types of authentication can IPSec use?
* What is PFS (Perfect Forward Secrecy) in IPSec?
* How do I monitor IPSec?
* Looking at IPSec-encrypted traffic with a sniffer. What packet types do I see?
* What can you do with NETSH?
* How do I look at the open ports on my machine?