IT support interview

Acts as a centralized computer providing specific functions and rules for networked computers, users, and components

What is Windows Server?

Provides access to user accounts, computers, printers, and security features controlled by a domain controller

What is Windows Domain?

A filter between computer resources that blocks incoming or outgoing traffic; can be software or hardware

What is a firewall?

Transmission Control Protocol establishes connections between computers for data transfer, acting as a highway for data packets

What is TCP/IP?

HTTP is used for transmitting website data (port 80), while HTTPS is the secure version that includes encryption and identity verification (port 443)

Can you explain the difference between HTTP and HTTPS?

Domain Name System translates domain names into IP addresses, using port 53 (TCP or UDP)

What is DNS and which port does it use?

DNS can perform iterative and recursive queries

How many queries does DNS perform and which ones?

A service for user and computer authentication within a domain, allowing enforcement of security policies via Group Policy Objects (GPOs)

What is Active Directory?

The database, named ntds.dit, is located in the system root NTDS folder of the server

Active Directory database is located where?

An object that remains in Active Directory after deletion while a domain controller is offline, requiring replication before it expires

What is a Lingering Object?

Redundant Array of Independent Disks, used for data redundancy and performance improvement across multiple hard disks

What is RAID?

Ping, tracert (trace route), and ipconfig

Which commands would you use in CMD to test network connectivity?

Assists in managing user data and settings, configured with user group policies

What does IntelliMirror do?

Using the built-in backup tool in Windows Server 2003 or the command prompt in 2008 with wbadmin start systemstatebackup

How do you back up Active Directory?

A process that frees space in Active Directory, performed by default every 12 hours

Do you know what Garbage Collection is?

A directory that houses copies of main files on a local drive within a domain controller, used for replication

Do you know what SYSVOL folder is?

Controls user and computer configurations and permissions by creating templates for specific groups

Explain what Group Policy is.

Incoming: POP3 (port 110), IMAP (port 143), HTTP (port 80); Outgoing: SMTP (port 25)

Can you name different types of email servers and ports used?

A domain is a logical group of computers and users, while a forest is a collection of multiple domains

What is the difference between a forest and a domain?

An emulation of an operating system allowing multiple OS copies to run on a single computer

Do you know what Virtual Machine is?

Changes made by Group Policy that remain even after the policy is no longer in effect

Do you know what "Tattooing" the registry means?

Filters network traffic and can monitor user activity, blocking access to certain websites

What is a proxy or proxy server?

User Datagram Protocol, which sends data without connection confirmation, allowing for faster speeds

Can you explain what UDP is?

127.0.0.1, used to test network interface functionality

What is the loop-back IP address?

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, managing the distribution of dynamic IP addresses on a network

What is DHCP?

File Transfer Protocol for transferring large files, using ports 20 and 21

What is FTP and Port used?

Secure Shell, used for secure connections between devices, typically using port 22

What is SSH and Port used?

90 to 100 meters for a single segment connection

What is the maximum length of UTP cable allowed?

Seven layers: Physical, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, Application

What are the layers of OSI model and how many?

Responsible for routing, switching, and transmitting data, as well as error handling and packet sequencing

What is the job of network layer?

Cat5 (100 Mbps), Cat5e (1 Gbps), Cat6 (10 Gbps), all rated for 100 meters maximum distance

Which types of network cables are used in networking?

Holds information about network and host addresses, typically represented as 255.255.255.0

What is a Subnet Mask?

A workgroup has local rules and permissions, while a domain is governed by a domain controller

Can you tell me the difference between a workgroup and a domain?

If a host cannot be reached by its name but can be reached by IP address, it indicates a DNS problem

Can you give an example of DNS issue?

Use the tracert command to provide detailed path information

How would you analyze connection between a local host and a server?

To determine DHCP settings, IP settings, DNS, default gateway, and subnet mask

What is ipconfig command used for?

A Virtual Private Network that creates a secure connection over public networks

What is VPN?

A device that connects multiple devices at the physical layer, processing and forwarding data packets

What is a Network Switch?