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Aug 08 2014
NOTE: Click here to download a full list of questions (in both Word and PDF form) for this article.
Are you looking for a job as a system administrator? Or are you thinking about leaving your
current position for a new job as a system administrator with a new company in a Microsoft
multi-user computing environment?
If you answered yes to either of those questions, then this article is for you! Any of the described
technologies and questions below may be asked of you during an interview.
A system administrator is responsible for managing a multi-user computing environment, such
as a local area network (LAN). The responsibilities of the system administrator typically include
installing and configuring system hardware and software, establishing and managing user
accounts, upgrading software and performing backup and recovery tasks.
The main responsibilities performed by a system administrator are:
* Active Directory management (adding and configuring new workstations and setting up
user accounts to provide authorizations)
* Installing and updating system software
* OS patching/upgrades
* Preventing the spread of viruses and malicious programs
* Allocating mass storage space
* Reviewing system logs
* System security management
* Creating a backup and recovery policy
* Performance monitoring and optimization
Before facing any interview for a system administrator position, make sure that you have enough
knowledge on these technologies:
Basic Network Concepts:
* Data communication and transmission techniques
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* IPv6 fundamentals
* Basics of switching
* Hyper V
* Schedule tasks (Backup, AD DS Backup)
* High Availability Features (Failover Clustering, Network Load Balancing)
Top Interview Questions for a System Administrator (Microsoft) Position:
All of the questions below are very common and must be prepared for before facing any
interview for a System-Server Administrator position.
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A: Active Directory provides a centralised control for network administration and security. Server
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computers configured with Active Directory are known as domain controllers. Active Directory
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stores all information and settings for a deployment in a central database, and allows
administrators to assign policies and deploy and update software.
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Q: What is a Domain?
Microsoft
A: A domain is defined as a logical group of network objects (computers, users, devices) that
share the same Active Directory database. A tree can have multiple domains.
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Virtualization
that is used for storing user account data in a central database. It is the centrepiece of the
Windows Active Directory service that authenticates users, stores user account information and
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of user accounts and computer accounts. GPOs define registry-based policies, security options,
software installation and maintenance options, script options, and folder redirection options.
There are two kinds of Group Policy objects:
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Q: What are main Email Servers and which are their ports?
A: Email servers can be of two types:
Incoming Mail Server (POP3, IMAP, HTTP)
The incoming mail server is the server associated with an email address account. There cannot
be more than one incoming mail server for an email account. In order to download your emails,
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you must have the correct settings configured in your email client program.
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outgoing mail server can belong to your ISP or to the server where you setup your email
account.
* HTTP port 80
* Secure SMTP (SSMTP) port 465
* Secure IMAP (IMAP4-SSL) port 585
* IMAP4 over SSL (IMAPS) port 993
* Secure POP3 (SSL-POP) port 995
Q: What do Forests, Trees, and Domains mean?
ASA
A: Forests, trees, and domains are the logical divisions in an Active Directory network.
AWS
A domain is defined as a logical group of network objects (computers, users, devices) that share
the same active directory database.
A tree is a collection of one or more domains and domain trees in a contiguous namespace
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At the top of the structure is the forest. A forest is a collection of trees that share a common
global catalog, directory schema, logical structure, and directory configuration. The forest
represents the security boundary within which users, computers, groups, and other objects are
accessible.
Q: Why do we use DHCP?
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its local copy of Active Directory. They can occur when changes are made to directories after
system backups are created.
When restoring a backup file, Active Directory generally requires that the backup file be no more
than 180 days old. This can happen if, after the backup was made, the object was deleted on
another DC more than 180 days ago.
Q: How can we remove Lingering Objects?
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A: Windows Server 2003 and 2008 have the ability to manually remove lingering objects using
the console utility command REPADMIN.EXE.
Q: Why should you not restore a DC that was backed up 6 months ago?
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A: When restoring a backup file, Active Directory generally requires that the backup file be no
more than 180 days old. If you attempt to restore a backup that is expired, you may face
problems due to lingering objects.
Q: How do you backup AD?
A: Backing up Active Directory is essential to maintain the proper health of the AD database.
Windows Server 2003
You can backup Active Directory by using the NTBACKUP tool that comes built-in with Windows
Server 2003 or use any 3rd-party tool that supports this feature.
Windows Server 2008
In Server 2008, there isnt an option to backup the System State data through the normal backup
utility. We need to use the command line to backup Active Directory.
1. Open up your command prompt by clicking Start, typing cmd and then hit Enter.
2. In your command prompt, type wbadmin start systemstatebackup -backuptarget:e: and
press Enter.
3. Input y and press Enter to start the backup process.
When the backup process has finished you should get a message that the backup completed
successfully. If it did not complete properly you will need to troubleshoot.
The questions above are very tricky and important from the standpoint of clearing any interview
for a System Administrator (Microsoft) position. It is not possible for anyone to list every possible
question, but you can get more frequently asked interview questions for System/Server
Administrator (Microsoft) Jobsfrom the download link posted here. If you find any difficulty in
answering any questions, ask me below @ the Comments section.
Tips for Preparing for an Interview
* Study: Before an interview, do a quick recap of relevant technologies.
* Update resume: Read your resume through; dont copy and paste your anything in it.
You must be aware of your strengths and weaknesses.
* Prepare professional certifications: One of the best ways to prove the technical skills
mentioned in your resume is through certifications. This gives a new employer an easy way
to understand your knowledge level.
* Update LinkedIn profile: Update your LinkedIn profile regularly; make sure that your
work experience, qualifications, and project details match your resume.
This article is the output of my extensive research and work experience. With this article I hope
to help candidates in preparing for an interview for a system administrator position in a Microsoft
multi-user computing environment.
Dont forget to post your queries and feedback in the comments section. You can join our
Facebook group, http://www.facebook.com/intenseschool, to get updates on new posts and
technologies.
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lawrence says:
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Thanks alot.
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Azad says:
OCTOBER 18, 2014 AT 10:35 AM
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Thanks a lot Mr. Tramell James for your kind note,,,Best of Luck
for your Interview..Keep reading @intenseschool.com
imtiaz says:
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Manish says:
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Awesome site. Thx a lot just wondering if you could also provide
some help for VCP or Vcap exam
13.
Bhadiya article tha bhai, Moza aagaya. Sahi likha honga tumne
shayad, haur likho bahut likho. Bus likhte hi jao bhayya.
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Thanks Again!
shajahan says:
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Dev says:
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b.saibanna says:
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i need some idieas from you sir, i have been working for system
administrator since 6-years in engineering college. i want to
change my job in mnc companies. what should i do to get job in
mnc
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