1. What is Active Directory?
Active Directory is a directory service that organizes and manages network resources, including users, computers, and groups. It provides a centralized authentication and authorization mechanism for Windows-based networks.

2. How do you create a new user account in Windows Server?
To create a new user account, you can use the “Active Directory Users and Computers” management console. Right-click on the desired organizational unit (OU), select “New” and then “User.” Follow the prompts to enter the necessary information, such as username, password, and other account details.

3. How do you manage group policies in Windows Server?
Group policies can be managed using the “Group Policy Management” console. It allows you to create, edit, and apply policies to different organizational units and domains. You can configure various settings, such as security options, software installation, and desktop preferences.

4. What is the purpose of DNS in Windows networking?
DNS (Domain Name System) is responsible for resolving domain names to IP addresses. It ensures that users can access network resources by using easy-to-remember domain names instead of complex IP addresses.

5. How do you troubleshoot network connectivity issues in Windows?
Some common steps to troubleshoot network connectivity issues include checking IP configuration, using the ping command to test connectivity to other devices, checking firewall settings, and reviewing network adapter settings.

6. How do you monitor system performance in Windows Server?
Windows Server provides the “Performance Monitor” tool (perfmon.exe) to monitor system performance. It allows you to track various performance counters, such as CPU usage, memory usage, disk activity, and network performance.

7. How do you manage file and folder permissions in Windows?
You can manage file and folder permissions using the “Security” tab in the properties of a file or folder. You can specify which users or groups have access rights, including read, write, modify, and full control.

8. How do you back up and restore system data in Windows Server?
Windows Server includes features like Windows Server Backup and Windows Server Backup Snap-in that allow you to back up and restore system data. These tools can be used to create scheduled backups of files, folders, and even complete system images.

9. What are the different types of RAID configurations?
RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) provides data protection and performance improvement. The different RAID configurations include RAID 0 (striping), RAID 1 (mirroring), RAID 5 (striping with parity), RAID 10 (striping and mirroring), and more.

10. How do you manage services in Windows Server?
You can manage services using the “Services” management console (services.msc). Here, you can start, stop, pause, or restart services, as well as modify their startup type and dependencies.

11. What is Group Policy inheritance in Windows?
Group Policy inheritance allows policies to be applied to different levels in an Active Directory hierarchy. Policies set at higher levels, such as the domain or OU level, apply to all child objects by default. However, you can block inheritance or enforce specific policies at lower levels.

12. How do you deploy software using Group Policy in Windows?
Software deployment through Group Policy involves creating a software distribution package and specifying deployment settings. You can use the “Group Policy Management” console to assign or publish software to user or computer objects in the domain.

13. How do you manage virtual machines in Windows Server?
Windows Server includes Hyper-V, a virtualization platform for creating and managing virtual machines. Using Hyper-V Manager, you can create, configure, and monitor virtual machines, allocate resources, and manage virtual networks.

14. How do you manage Windows updates in a network environment?
In a network environment, Windows updates can be managed using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). With WSUS, you can download and distribute updates from the Microsoft Update Catalog, approve or decline updates, and control update installation on client machines.

15. What is the purpose of DHCP in Windows networking?
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) automatically assigns IP addresses, subnet masks, and other configuration parameters to devices on a network. It simplifies network administration by eliminating the need to configure IP settings manually.

16. How do you manage remote desktop connections in Windows?
Windows Server includes the Remote Desktop Services role, which allows you to manage remote desktop connections. You can configure settings like session timeouts, connection limits, and user permissions to control remote access to servers.

17. How do you troubleshoot Windows startup issues?
There are multiple approaches to troubleshoot Windows startup issues, such as using the “Advanced Startup Options,” checking event logs for errors, using the System Configuration utility (msconfig), and repairing the Master Boot Record (MBR) using bootrec commands.

18. What are the different types of Windows Server editions?
Windows Server editions include Standard, Datacenter, Essentials, and Hyper-V Server. Each edition offers specific features and licensing options depending on the organization’s requirements.

19. How do you manage disk storage in Windows Server?
Windows Server provides Disk Management tools to manage disk storage. You can create, format, resize, and assign drive letters to partitions or volumes. Additionally, you can configure features like disk quotas, storage spaces, and RAID arrays.

20. How do you secure Windows servers?
To secure Windows servers, you can implement practices like strong password policies, regular security updates, firewall configurations, antivirus software, user access controls, auditing and logging, and encryption of sensitive data. Regular monitoring and security assessments are also essential.

1. What is Active Directory and how do you use it for user management?
Answer: Active Directory is a directory service provided by Windows that allows the creation, management, and organization of network resources such as users, groups, and computers. User management in Active Directory involves creating, modifying, and deleting user accounts, managing user permissions and access rights, and enforcing security policies.

2. How do you troubleshoot performance issues in Windows Server?
Answer: To troubleshoot performance issues, you can use tools like Performance Monitor (Perfmon), Resource Monitor, and Task Manager. These tools help monitor CPU usage, memory usage, disk I/O, network utilization, and identify processes or services causing performance bottlenecks. You can also analyze logs, check event viewer entries, and use troubleshooting methodologies to identify the root cause of the performance issue.

3. How do you handle software updates in a Windows Server environment?
Answer: Software updates in a Windows Server environment can be handled using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). WSUS allows you to centrally manage and distribute updates to servers and workstations within the network. You can synchronize with Microsoft’s update servers, approve or decline updates, and schedule installation deadlines.

4. What are Group Policy Objects (GPOs) and how do you use them?
Answer: Group Policy Objects (GPOs) are containers that hold a collection of settings to manage computer and user configurations within an Active Directory domain. GPOs define policies and settings such as security settings, software installation, script execution, and folder redirection. GPOs can be linked to domains, organizational units (OUs), or sites to control the behavior and configuration of Windows systems.

5. Explain the process of implementing a new Active Directory Forest.
Answer: Implementing a new Active Directory Forest involves the following steps:
– Installing Windows Server operating system on a new server.
– Installing Active Directory Domain Services role.
– Running the Active Directory domain configuration wizard.
– Choosing the appropriate forest root domain name.
– Configuring additional domain controllers and DNS servers.
– Creating organizational units (OUs), groups, and user accounts.
– Configuring security policies and permissions.
– Testing and verifying the new Active Directory Forest.

6. How do you secure Remote Desktop Services (RDS) in Windows Server?
Answer: To secure Remote Desktop Services (RDS) in Windows Server, you can follow these best practices:
– Enforce strong password policies for RDS users.
– Enable Network Level Authentication (NLA) to require user authentication before establishing a remote desktop connection.
– Limit the number of concurrent RDS sessions.
– Implement firewalls and restrict RDS access to trusted networks or specific IP addresses.
– Regularly install security updates and patches for the RDS components.

7. Discuss the difference between NTFS and Share permissions.
Answer: NTFS (New Technology File System) permissions are used to control access to files and folders stored on NTFS formatted drives. NTFS permissions allow you to set specific permissions for individual users or groups, including read, write, modify, and full control.

Share permissions, on the other hand, are used to control access to shared folders over the network. Share permissions are typically set to control access at a higher level, such as allowing or denying access to the entire shared folder. Share permissions can be combined with NTFS permissions to define a layered security model.

8. How do you configure DNS for Active Directory?
Answer: To configure DNS for Active Directory:
– Install DNS Server role on one or more domain controllers.
– Configure the DNS server to use forwarders or root hints for external name resolution.
– Configure the DNS server to use Active Directory integrated zones.
– Create the DNS primary zone (forward lookup zone) for the domain.
– Configure the zone to allow secure dynamic updates.
– Verify that DNS records are being dynamically registered by the domain controllers and clients.

9. How do you manage disk quotas in Windows Server?
Answer: To manage disk quotas in Windows Server, you can follow these steps:
– Enable disk quotas on the desired NTFS volume.
– Set quota limits for individual users or groups.
– Optionally, set warning levels to notify users when they are nearing their quota limits.
– Configure quota settings such as excluding system files, calculating quotas by file ownership, or blocking users from exceeding their quota limits.
– Regularly monitor and generate reports on disk usage and quota violation.

10. How do you perform system backups and disaster recovery in Windows Server?
Answer: System backups and disaster recovery in Windows Server can be performed using tools like Windows Server Backup, third-party backup software, or Azure Backup. These tools allow you to schedule regular backups of system volumes and critical data, perform full or incremental backups, restore individual files or complete system state, and support replication and off-site backups for disaster recovery purposes.

11. Explain the process of configuring DHCP failover in Windows Server.
Answer: Configuring DHCP failover in Windows Server involves the following steps:
– Install the DHCP Server role on multiple servers.
– Configure the primary DHCP server with the appropriate scope and lease settings.
– Configure the secondary DHCP server with the same scope and lease settings.
– Enable DHCP failover on both servers and specify the mode (load balancing or hot standby).
– Define the partnership name and configure the failover relationship settings.
– Configure DHCP failover monitoring and alerts.
– Test the failover by simulating a primary server failure.

12. How do you monitor and manage Windows Server using PowerShell?
Answer: PowerShell provides a command-line interface and scripting capabilities to monitor and manage Windows Server. Some common PowerShell cmdlets for server management include:
– Get-Service: Retrieves information about running services on the server.
– Get-Process: Lists all running processes and their details.
– Get-EventLog: Retrieves events from the event log.
– Get-WindowsFeature: Lists installed Windows features and allows installation or removal of features.
– Set-ExecutionPolicy: Configures the execution policy for PowerShell scripts.
– Restart-Service: Restarts a particular service.
– Invoke-Command: Allows the execution of commands on remote servers.
– Get-Counter: Retrieves performance counter information for monitoring server performance.

13. How do you configure and manage Hyper-V virtualization in Windows Server?
Answer: To configure and manage Hyper-V virtualization in Windows Server:
– Enable Hyper-V role on the Windows Server installation.
– Create and configure virtual networks to provide network connectivity to virtual machines.
– Create virtual machines using the Hyper-V Manager or PowerShell cmdlets.
– Configure virtual machine settings such as CPU, memory, storage, and network adapters.
– Install guest operating systems on the virtual machines.
– Manage virtual machine checkpoints, snapshots, and live migrations.
– Monitor and optimize the performance of virtual machines and host servers.

14. Discuss the process of configuring and managing Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS).
Answer: Configuring and managing Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) involves:
– Installing the ADFS role on one or more servers.
– Configuring ADFS as a federation server or a federation server proxy.
– Configuring claims-based authentication and trusts with partner organizations.
– Configuring token signing and encryption certificates.
– Configuring authentication policies and access rules.
– Monitoring and managing ADFS servers and their performance.
– Troubleshooting authentication and trust issues.

15. How do you configure and manage Remote Desktop Services (RDS) in Windows Server?
Answer: To configure and manage Remote Desktop Services (RDS):
– Install the Remote Desktop Services role on the server.
– Configure the Remote Desktop Licensing role and install the appropriate licenses.
– Configure the Remote Desktop Gateway for remote access.
– Create and manage Remote Desktop Session Hosts (RDSH) and RemoteApp programs.
– Configure user profiles and folder redirection.
– Manage Remote Desktop Web Access and Remote Desktop Connection Broker.
– Monitor and optimize the performance of RDS infrastructure.

16. How do you automate administrative tasks in Windows Server using scripts?
Answer: Administrative tasks in Windows Server can be automated using scripting languages like PowerShell or batch scripting. Examples of automated tasks include creating user accounts, managing group memberships, configuring security settings, deploying software, managing backups, and generating reports. Scripts can be scheduled to run at specific times or triggered by specific events using Task Scheduler or Group Policy.

17. How do you manage and troubleshoot Active Directory replication issues?
Answer: To manage and troubleshoot Active Directory replication issues:
– Monitor and analyze replication status using tools like Repadmin, DCDiag, and Active Directory Sites and Services.
– Validate DNS configuration and ensure that DNS resolution is working correctly for domain controllers.
– Verify the health of domain controllers by checking event logs and running diagnostic tests.
– Check the network connectivity between domain controllers, including firewalls and routing.
– Force replication or initiate a manual sync using the appropriate replication command.
– Resolve errors and conflicts reported by replication tools and reestablish replication partnerships if necessary.

18. How do you secure Windows Server against common security threats?
Answer: To secure Windows Server against common security threats:
– Regularly install security updates and patches for the operating system and installed software.
– Use strong and complex passwords for user accounts and regularly change passwords.
– Implement Windows Firewall and restrict incoming and outgoing network traffic.
– Enable and configure Windows Defender or other antivirus software.
– Implement security best practices for remote access, such as using VPNs and limiting RDP access.
– Enable auditing and monitoring features to track and detect security breaches.
– Regularly perform security audits and vulnerability assessments.

19. How do you configure and manage Windows Server Backup and Restore?
Answer: To configure and manage Windows Server Backup and Restore:
– Install the Windows Server Backup feature.
– Configure backup schedules, destination locations, and backup types (full, incremental, or differential).
– Select the items to be included in the backup, such as system state, volumes, files, or applications.
– Perform backup and verify its success.
– Configure restore options, including the restoration of individual files, volumes, or the entire system state.
– Monitor backup jobs and maintain backup integrity by regularly testing and restoring from backups.

20. How do you configure and optimize Windows Server performance for specific workloads?
Answer: To configure and optimize Windows Server performance for specific workloads:
– Analyze performance requirements and identify bottleneck areas.
– Configure server hardware for optimal performance, such as CPU, memory, and disk tuning.
– Use performance monitoring tools like Performance Monitor (Perfmon) or Resource Monitor to identify performance bottlenecks.
– Optimize process prioritization, throttling, or affinity settings.
– Optimize network settings, such as disabling unnecessary protocols or specifying optimal TCP/IP parameters.
– Implement performance tuning recommendations from Microsoft’s performance optimization guides.
– Regularly monitor and fine-tune performance based on workload metrics and usage patterns.