Windows Server Support Engineer Job Interview Questions and Answers for Freshers Part 1

Windows Server Support Engineer Job Interview Questions and Answers for Freshers Part 1

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Windows Server Support Engineer Job Interview Questions and Answers:

Basic Concepts

  1. Q: What is a Windows Server?
    • A: Windows Server is a group of operating systems designed by Microsoft to handle enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
  2. Q: What is Active Directory?
    • A: Active Directory is a directory service developed by Microsoft for Windows domain networks. It is used for user and resource management, authentication, and authorization.
  3. Q: What is a Domain Controller?
    • A: A Domain Controller is a server that responds to authentication requests and verifies users on computer networks.
  4. Q: What is DNS and why is it important?
    • A: DNS stands for Domain Name System. It translates human-readable domain names to IP addresses. DNS is crucial for locating and accessing websites and services.
  5. Q: Explain DHCP and its role in a network.
    • A: DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. It automatically assigns IP addresses to devices on a network, ensuring no two devices have the same IP.

Server Management

  1. Q: What is the purpose of the Group Policy?
    • A: Group Policy is a feature in Windows that allows administrators to manage users and computers’ configurations within an Active Directory environment.
  2. Q: How do you create a user in Active Directory?
    • A: Open Active Directory Users and Computers, navigate to the desired OU, right-click, select New > User, and follow the prompts to create the user.
  3. Q: What is the use of the Event Viewer in Windows Server?
    • A: Event Viewer is used to view and analyze event logs on a computer, which can help in troubleshooting and monitoring the system.
  4. Q: How do you take a backup of a Windows Server?
    • A: You can use Windows Server Backup, a built-in feature that allows you to back up and restore your server data.
  5. Q: What is a RAID and what are its types?
    • A: RAID stands for Redundant Array of Independent Disks. It is a method of combining multiple hard drives to improve performance or redundancy. Types include RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10, etc.

Networking

  1. Q: What is an IP address?
    • A: An IP address is a unique string of numbers separated by periods that identifies each computer using the Internet Protocol to communicate over a network.
  2. Q: Differentiate between IPv4 and IPv6.
    • A: IPv4 is a 32-bit address scheme allowing for 4.3 billion addresses, while IPv6 is a 128-bit scheme allowing for a vastly larger number of addresses.
  3. Q: What is a subnet mask?
    • A: A subnet mask is used to divide an IP address into network and host parts. It helps in identifying the network to which an IP address belongs.
  4. Q: Explain what a VLAN is.
    • A: A VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) is a subnetwork that can group together devices on separate physical LANs. It improves network management and security.
  5. Q: What is a default gateway?
    • A: A default gateway is a device that routes traffic from a local network to devices on another network, typically used to connect a local network to the internet.

Security

  1. Q: What is the purpose of a firewall?
    • A: A firewall is a network security device that monitors and filters incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
  2. Q: How do you secure a Windows Server?
    • A: Regularly update the server, use strong passwords, configure firewalls, implement Group Policies, use antivirus software, and follow best practices for security.
  3. Q: What is a Security Group in Active Directory?
    • A: Security groups are used to assign permissions to resources in Active Directory. They help manage access to shared resources.
  4. Q: Explain the principle of least privilege.
    • A: The principle of least privilege states that users should be granted the minimum levels of access – or permissions – needed to perform their job functions.
  5. Q: What is BitLocker?
    • A: BitLocker is a full-disk encryption feature included with Windows that encrypts the entire drive to protect data.

Troubleshooting

  1. Q: How do you troubleshoot a network connectivity issue?
    • A: Verify physical connections, check IP configurations, use ping and tracert commands, review firewall settings, and check router and switch configurations.
  2. Q: What steps would you take if a user cannot log into a Windows domain?
    • A: Check network connection, verify user credentials, ensure the user account is active, check for any recent changes to Group Policy, and review event logs.
  3. Q: How do you handle a server that is running slow?
    • A: Check for resource bottlenecks (CPU, memory, disk usage), analyze running processes, check for malware, review event logs, and ensure there are no hardware issues.
  4. Q: What is the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), and how do you troubleshoot it?
    • A: BSOD is a stop error screen displayed on a Windows computer after a fatal system error. Troubleshooting includes checking hardware connections, updating drivers, and analyzing crash dump files.
  5. Q: How do you resolve DNS issues?
    • A: Verify DNS settings, use nslookup to test DNS resolution, check the DNS server status, review DNS server logs, and clear the DNS cache.

Virtualization

  1. Q: What is Hyper-V?
    • A: Hyper-V is a virtualization technology developed by Microsoft that allows you to create and manage virtual machines on a Windows Server.
  2. Q: Explain the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 hypervisors.
    • A: Type 1 hypervisors run directly on the hardware (bare-metal), such as Hyper-V and VMware ESXi. Type 2 hypervisors run on a host operating system, such as VMware Workstation.
  3. Q: How do you create a virtual machine in Hyper-V?
    • A: Open Hyper-V Manager, click New > Virtual Machine, follow the wizard to configure VM settings, assign memory, connect virtual hard disk, and install the OS.
  4. Q: What are the benefits of virtualization?
    • A: Benefits include improved resource utilization, cost savings, easier backups and disaster recovery, better testing environments, and simplified management.
  5. Q: What is a snapshot in Hyper-V?
    • A: A snapshot captures the state, data, and hardware configuration of a virtual machine at a specific point in time, allowing for quick recovery.

Advanced Topics

  1. Q: What is PowerShell?
    • A: PowerShell is a task automation and configuration management framework from Microsoft, consisting of a command-line shell and scripting language.
  2. Q: How do you use PowerShell to list all services on a Windows Server?
    • A: Use the command Get-Service in PowerShell.
  3. Q: What is Windows Server Core?
    • A: Windows Server Core is a minimal installation option for Windows Server, providing a low-maintenance server environment with no GUI.
  4. Q: Explain what a SAN is.
    • A: A SAN (Storage Area Network) is a high-speed network that provides access to consolidated block-level storage, useful for large-scale data storage.
  5. Q: What is WSUS and its purpose?
    • A: WSUS (Windows Server Update Services) allows administrators to manage the distribution of updates released through Microsoft Update to computers in a network.

Practical Skills

  1. Q: How do you promote a server to a Domain Controller?
    • A: Use the Server Manager, add the Active Directory Domain Services role, and follow the AD DS Configuration Wizard to promote the server.
  2. Q: How do you reset a user’s password in Active Directory?
    • A: Open Active Directory Users and Computers, find the user, right-click on their account, and select “Reset Password.”
  3. Q: How do you enable remote desktop on a Windows Server?
    • A: Open Server Manager, navigate to Local Server, and enable the “Remote Desktop” option.
  4. Q: What is the purpose of the Task Scheduler in Windows Server?
    • A: Task Scheduler allows you to automate tasks and run programs or scripts at specific times or events.
  5. Q: How do you check for available disk space on a server?
    • A: Use File Explorer, right-click on a drive, select Properties, or use the Get-PSDrive cmdlet in PowerShell.

Soft Skills

  1. Q: How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple server issues?
    • A: Assess the impact and urgency of each issue, prioritize tasks that affect critical services or many users, and manage your time effectively.
  2. Q: Describe a time when you had to explain a technical issue to a non-technical user.
    • A: (Answer will vary) Keep it simple, avoid jargon, use analogies, and ensure the user understands the solution.
  3. Q: How do you stay updated with the latest Windows Server technologies?
    • A: Follow tech blogs, attend webinars, participate in forums, read official documentation, and take relevant certifications.
  4. Q: How do you handle stress when dealing with server outages?
    • A: Stay calm, follow a systematic troubleshooting approach, communicate clearly with stakeholders, and focus on resolving the issue efficiently.
  5. Q: Explain a situation where you had to work as part of a team to resolve a server issue.
    • A: (Answer will vary) Describe the issue, your role, how you collaborated with team members, and the outcome.

Miscellaneous

  1. Q: What is the difference between a service and a process?
    • A: A service is a type of application that runs in the background and is usually managed by the Service Control Manager. A process is an instance of a program that is being executed.
  2. Q: What is a forest in Active Directory?
    • A: A forest is the top-level container in an Active Directory configuration that contains one or more domains.
  3. Q: Explain the concept of “trust relationships” in Active Directory.
    • A: Trust relationships allow different Active Directory domains to share resources and authenticate users across domains.
  4. Q: What are FSMO roles in Active Directory?
    • A: FSMO (Flexible Single Master Operations) roles are specialized domain controller tasks in Active Directory, including Schema Master, Domain Naming Master, RID Master, PDC Emulator, and Infrastructure Master.
  5. Q: How would you configure a new DNS zone?
    • A: Open the DNS Manager, right-click the server, select “New Zone,” and follow the wizard to configure the new zone (Primary, Secondary, or Stub).

These questions and answers cover a broad range of fundamental and practical knowledge expected of a fresher Windows Server Support Engineer.