IT Technical Interview Questions and Answers 2023 with
complete solution
Explain the role of Windows Server.
Windows OS Server acts as a centralized computer that provides specific functions and
predetermined rules for computers, users and components connected to a network.
What is Windows Domain?
Windows Domain provides access to user accounts, computers, printers and security
features as part of database controlled by a domain controller.
What is a firewall?
Firewall is a filter between two or multiple computer sources; it blocks any incoming or
outgoing traffic. Firewalls can be in software or hardware forms.
What is TCP/IP?
TCP is a Transmission Control Protocol that deals with establishing a connection
between computers before any data is being sent; in other words it acts as the highway
for data packets being sent back and forth used by various Protocols. For example;
HTTP or FTP. TCP also controls and sorts out data packet receive order.
Can you explain the difference between HTTP and HTTPS?
HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol used by majority of websites as means of
transmitting website data and it allows for use of hyperlinks. This Protocol mostly uses
TCP port 80. HTTPS is a secure version of HTTP that allows for identity verification and
low level encryption using TCP port 443.
What is DNS and which port does it use?
DNS stands for Domain Name System and it's mostly used to interpret Domain names
in to numeric IP address. For example; domain name CosmicNovo.com it's IP address
is 130.211.160.109. DNS uses port 53 TCP or UDP.
How many queries does DNS perform and which ones?
DNS can perform two types of queries; Iterative and Recursive.
What is Active Directory?
A service of Windows Server OS, Active Directory is used for user and computer
authentication within a Domain. It can also enforce security policies with use of GPOs
which can also be used to push software installs across domain.
Active Directory database is located where?
Database is under the file name NTDS.DIT; and it is located in the %SystemRoot%\ntds
folder of the server.
What is a Lingering Object?
If an Object is deleted from Active Directory while Domain controller is offline it can
create a lingering object. When object is deleted from Active Directory a Tomb Stone
(which is temporary) is created which then has to be replicated by Domain Controller
before it expires.
What is RAID?
Stands for Redundant Array of Independent Disks and is used to provide data
redundancy (mirroring) across multiple hard disks. It can also be utilized to improve
read/write performance across the server by using striping configuration. For example
, RAID 1; two or more disks with identical data stored (redundancy). RAID 0; two or more
disks, data distributed evenly to improve performance (no redundancy).
Which commands would you use in CMD to test network connectivity?
To test network connectivity ping, tracert or ipconfig commands can be used.
How do you back up Active Directory?
Active Directory can be backed up by using NTBACKUP tool that comes with 2003
server. With 2008 server a command prompt is used to perform backup: type "wbadmin
start systemstatebackup -backuptarget:e:" You can also perform a full server backup
through Server Manager (OS 2012+).
Do you know what Garbage Collection is?
Garbage Collection is a process designed to free space inside Active Directory. This is
performed by default every 12 hours (defrag).
Do you know what SYSVOL folder is?
System Volume folder is a directory that houses a copy of domain files found on a local
hard drive within Domain Controller. This data is shared for purpose of replication
across domain; for example user logon scripts and Windows Group Policy.
Explain what Group Policy is.
A Group Policy is used to control user's desktops, computer configurations and
permissions by creating a template for specific groups of members. This makes it easier
to control and process large groups of users. For example; Tech Support may have
different security permissions compared to regular computer users.
Can you name different types of email servers and ports used?
You can have two types of email servers:
Incoming Mail Server (POP3 port 110, IMAP 143, HTTP 80)
Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP port 25)
What is the difference between a forest and a domain?
A domain is a logic based group of computers, users and devices within Active
Directory. A tree is a collection of domains; in case there are multiple trees formed a
forest is created.
Do you know what Virtual Machine is?
Virtual Machine is an emulation version of Operating System. For example; you can
have multiple copies of Windows running on a single computer.
What is a proxy or proxy server?
Proxy deals with filtering network traffic in a sense of preventing access to certain
websites and can even monitor user web activity. It can block certain website from
being accessed but it can also act as a measure of hiding the true origin at point of
access.
Can you explain what UDP is?
UDP stands for User Datagram Protocol. Unlike TCP, UDP is constantly broadcasting a
connection signal which can allow for faster connection speeds-with TCP you have to
wait for connection confirmation which takes time. UDP sends out data without
consideration of what is receiving it; sort of like Radio signal.
What is the loop-back IP address?
The loopback IP address is 127.0.0.1. As part of troubleshooting network connections
issues; it is used to test Network lnterface Card for functionality. If you ping this IP
address and it completes successfully it means your hardware is okay.
complete solution
Explain the role of Windows Server.
Windows OS Server acts as a centralized computer that provides specific functions and
predetermined rules for computers, users and components connected to a network.
What is Windows Domain?
Windows Domain provides access to user accounts, computers, printers and security
features as part of database controlled by a domain controller.
What is a firewall?
Firewall is a filter between two or multiple computer sources; it blocks any incoming or
outgoing traffic. Firewalls can be in software or hardware forms.
What is TCP/IP?
TCP is a Transmission Control Protocol that deals with establishing a connection
between computers before any data is being sent; in other words it acts as the highway
for data packets being sent back and forth used by various Protocols. For example;
HTTP or FTP. TCP also controls and sorts out data packet receive order.
Can you explain the difference between HTTP and HTTPS?
HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol used by majority of websites as means of
transmitting website data and it allows for use of hyperlinks. This Protocol mostly uses
TCP port 80. HTTPS is a secure version of HTTP that allows for identity verification and
low level encryption using TCP port 443.
What is DNS and which port does it use?
DNS stands for Domain Name System and it's mostly used to interpret Domain names
in to numeric IP address. For example; domain name CosmicNovo.com it's IP address
is 130.211.160.109. DNS uses port 53 TCP or UDP.
How many queries does DNS perform and which ones?
DNS can perform two types of queries; Iterative and Recursive.
What is Active Directory?
A service of Windows Server OS, Active Directory is used for user and computer
authentication within a Domain. It can also enforce security policies with use of GPOs
which can also be used to push software installs across domain.
Active Directory database is located where?
Database is under the file name NTDS.DIT; and it is located in the %SystemRoot%\ntds
folder of the server.
What is a Lingering Object?
If an Object is deleted from Active Directory while Domain controller is offline it can
create a lingering object. When object is deleted from Active Directory a Tomb Stone
(which is temporary) is created which then has to be replicated by Domain Controller
before it expires.
What is RAID?
Stands for Redundant Array of Independent Disks and is used to provide data
redundancy (mirroring) across multiple hard disks. It can also be utilized to improve
read/write performance across the server by using striping configuration. For example
, RAID 1; two or more disks with identical data stored (redundancy). RAID 0; two or more
disks, data distributed evenly to improve performance (no redundancy).
Which commands would you use in CMD to test network connectivity?
To test network connectivity ping, tracert or ipconfig commands can be used.
How do you back up Active Directory?
Active Directory can be backed up by using NTBACKUP tool that comes with 2003
server. With 2008 server a command prompt is used to perform backup: type "wbadmin
start systemstatebackup -backuptarget:e:" You can also perform a full server backup
through Server Manager (OS 2012+).
Do you know what Garbage Collection is?
Garbage Collection is a process designed to free space inside Active Directory. This is
performed by default every 12 hours (defrag).
Do you know what SYSVOL folder is?
System Volume folder is a directory that houses a copy of domain files found on a local
hard drive within Domain Controller. This data is shared for purpose of replication
across domain; for example user logon scripts and Windows Group Policy.
Explain what Group Policy is.
A Group Policy is used to control user's desktops, computer configurations and
permissions by creating a template for specific groups of members. This makes it easier
to control and process large groups of users. For example; Tech Support may have
different security permissions compared to regular computer users.
Can you name different types of email servers and ports used?
You can have two types of email servers:
Incoming Mail Server (POP3 port 110, IMAP 143, HTTP 80)
Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP port 25)
What is the difference between a forest and a domain?
A domain is a logic based group of computers, users and devices within Active
Directory. A tree is a collection of domains; in case there are multiple trees formed a
forest is created.
Do you know what Virtual Machine is?
Virtual Machine is an emulation version of Operating System. For example; you can
have multiple copies of Windows running on a single computer.
What is a proxy or proxy server?
Proxy deals with filtering network traffic in a sense of preventing access to certain
websites and can even monitor user web activity. It can block certain website from
being accessed but it can also act as a measure of hiding the true origin at point of
access.
Can you explain what UDP is?
UDP stands for User Datagram Protocol. Unlike TCP, UDP is constantly broadcasting a
connection signal which can allow for faster connection speeds-with TCP you have to
wait for connection confirmation which takes time. UDP sends out data without
consideration of what is receiving it; sort of like Radio signal.
What is the loop-back IP address?
The loopback IP address is 127.0.0.1. As part of troubleshooting network connections
issues; it is used to test Network lnterface Card for functionality. If you ping this IP
address and it completes successfully it means your hardware is okay.
