>What is Active Directory ? Active Directory is a Meta Data. Active Directory is a data base which store a data base like your user information, computer information and also other network object info. It has capabilities to manage and administor the complite Network which connect with AD.

> What is Active Directory Domain Services ?In Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003, the directory service is named Active Directory. In Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2, the directory service is named Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). The rest of this topic refers to AD DS, but the information is also applicable to Active Directory.

>What is domain ? A domain is a set of network resources (applications, printers, and so forth) for a group of users. The user need only to log in to the domain to gain access to the resources, which may be located on a number of different servers in the network. The 'domain' is simply your computer address not to confused with an URL. A domain address might look something like 211.170.469.

>What is domain controller ? A Domain controller (DC) is a server that responds to security authentication requests (logging in, checking permissions, etc.) within the Windows Server domain. A domain is a concept introduced in Windows NT whereby a user may be granted access to a number of computer resources with the use of a single username and password combination.

>What is LDAP ? Lightweight Directory Access Protocol LDAP is the industry standard directory access protocol, making Active Directory widely accessible to management and query applications. Active Directory supports LDAPv3 and LDAPv2.

>What is KCC ? KCC ( knowledge consistency checker ) is used to generate replication topology for inter site replication and for intrasite replication.with in a site replication

traffic is done via remote procedure calls over ip, while between site it is done through either RPC or SMTP.

>Where is the AD database held? What other folders are related to AD?The AD data base is store in c:\windows\ntds\NTDS.DIT.

>What is the SYSVOL folder?The sysVOL folder stores the server's copy of the domain's public files. The contents such as group policy, users etc of the sysvol folder are replicated to all domain controllers in the domain.

> What is the Netlogon folder use for?Sysvol is an important component of Active Directory. The Sysvol folder is shared on an NTFS volume on all the domain controllers in a particular domain. Sysvol is used to deliver the policy and logon scripts to domain members.

By default sysvol includes 2 folders,the scripts folder is shared with the name NETLOGON

1.Policies - (Default location - %SystemRoot%\Sysvol\Sysvol\domain_name\Policies)2.Scripts - (Default lcation - %SystemRoot%\Sysvol\Sysvol\domain_name\Scripts)

>What are the difference between Enterprise Admins and Domain Admins groups in AD ? Enterprise Admins : Members of this group have full control of all domains in the forest. By default, this group is a member of the Administrators group on all domain controllers in the forest. By default, the Administrator account is a member of this group. Because this group has full control of the forest, add users with caution.

Domain Admins : Members of this group have full control of the domain. By default, this group is a member of the Administrators group on all domain controllers, all domain workstations, and all domain member servers at the time they are joined to the domain. By default, the Administrator account is a member

of this group. Because the group has full control in the domain, add users with caution.

>Where are the Windows NT Primary Domain Controller (PDC) and its Backup Domain Controller (BDC) in Server 2003 ? The Active Directory replaces them. Now all domain controllers share a multimaster peer-to-peer read and write relationship that hosts copies of the Active Directory.

>I am trying to create a new universal user group. Why can’t I ?Universal groups are allowed only in native-mode Windows Server 2003 environments. Native mode requires that all domain controllers be promoted to Windows Server 2003 Active Directory.

>What is LSDOU ? It’s group policy inheritance model, where the policies are applied toLocal machines, Sites, Domains and Organizational Units.

>Why doesn’t LSDOU work under Windows NT ? If the NTConfig.pol file exist, it has the highest priority among the numerous policies.

>What’s the number of permitted unsuccessful logons on Administrator account? Unlimited. Remember, though, that it’s the Administrator account, not any account that’s part of the Administrators group.

> What’s the difference between guest accounts in Server 2003 and other editions? More restrictive in Windows Server 2003.

> How many passwords by default are remembered when you check "Enforce Password History Remembered"? User’s last 6 passwords.

> Can GC Server and Infrastructure place in single server If not explain why ? No, As Infrastructure master does the same job as the GC. It does not work together.

> Which is service in your windows is responsible for replication of Domain controller to another domain controller.KCC generates the replication topology.Use SMTP / RPC to replicate changes.

> What Intrasite and Intersite Replication ? Intrasite is the replication with in the same site & intersite the replication between sites.

> What is lost & found folder in ADS ? It’s the folder where you can find the objects missed due to conflict.Ex: you created a user in OU which is deleted in other DC & when replication happed ADS didn’t find the OU then it will put that in Lost & Found Folder.

> What is Garbage collection ? Garbage collection is the process of the online defragmentation of active directory. It happens every 12 Hours.

> What System State data contains ? Contains Startup files,RegistryCom + Registration DatabaseMemory Page fileSystem filesAD informationCluster Service informationSYSVOL Folder

Windows Active Directory Interview Questions !

>What are the Groups types available in active directory ?Security groups: Use Security groups for granting permissions to gain access to resources. Sending an e-mail message to a group sends the message to all members of the group. Therefore security groups share the capabilities of distribution groups.

Distribution groups: Distribution groups are used for sending e-main messages to groups of users. You cannot grant permissions to security groups. Even though security groups have all the capabilities of distribution groups, distribution groups still requires, because some applications can only read distribution groups.

>Explain about the groups scope in AD ? Domain Local Group: Use this scope to grant permissions to domain resources that are located in

the same domain in which you created the domain local group. Domain local groups can exist in all mixed, native and interim functional level of domains and forests. Domain local group memberships are not limited as you can add members as user accounts, universal and global groups from any domain. Just to remember, nesting cannot be done in domain local group. A domain local group will not be a member of another Domain Local or any other groups in the same domain.

Global Group: Users with similar function can be grouped under global scope and can be given permission to access a resource (like a printer or shared folder and files) available in local or another domain in same forest. To say in simple words, Global groups can be use to grant permissions to gain access to resources which are located in any domain but in a single forest as their memberships are limited. User accounts and global groups can be added only from the domain in which global group is created. Nesting is possible in Global groups within other groups as you can add a global group into another global group from any domain. Finally to provide permission to domain specific resources (like printers and published folder), they can be members of a Domain Local group. Global groups exist in all mixed, native and interim functional level of domains and forests.

Universal Group Scope: These groups are precisely used for email distribution and can be granted access to resources in all trusted domain as these groups can only be used as a security principal (security group type) in a windows 2000 native or windows server 2003 domain functional level domain. Universal group memberships are not limited like global groups. All domain user accounts and groups can be a member of universal group. Universal groups can be nested under a global or Domain Local group in any domain.

>What is REPLMON ?The Microsoft definition of the Replmon tool is as follows; This GUI tool enables administrators to view the low-level status of Active Directory replication, force synchronization between domain controllers, view the topology in a graphical format, and monitor the status and performance of domain controller replication.

>What is ADSIEDIT ? ADSIEDIT :ADSIEdit is a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in that acts as a low-level editor for Active Directory. It is a Graphical User Interface (GUI) tool. Network administrators can use it for common administrative tasks such as adding, deleting, and moving objects with a directory service. The attributes for each object can be edited or deleted by using this tool. ADSIEdit uses the ADSI application programming interfaces (APIs) to access Active Directory. The following are the required files for using this tool: ADSIEDIT.DLL ADSIEDIT.

>What is NETDOM ?NETDOM is a command-line tool that allows management of Windows domains and trust relationships. It is used for batch management of trusts, joining computers to domains, verifying trusts, and secure channels.

>What is REPADMIN?This command-line tool assists administrators in diagnosing replication problems between

Windows domain controllers.Administrators can use Repadmin to view the replication topology (sometimes referred to as RepsFrom and RepsTo) as seen from the perspective of each domain controller. In addition, Repadmin can be used to manually create the replication topology (although in normal practice this should not be necessary), to force replication events between domain controllers, and to view both the replication metadata and up-to-dateness vectors.

>How to take backup of AD ?For taking backup of active directory you have to do this : first go START -> PROGRAM ->ACCESORIES -> SYSTEM TOOLS -> BACKUP OR Open run window and ntbackup and take systemstate backup when the backup screen is flash then take the backup of SYSTEM STATE it will take the backup of all the necessary information about the syatem including AD backup , DNS ETC.

>What are the DS* commands ?The following DS commands: the DS family built in utility .DSmod - modify Active Directory attributes.DSrm - to delete Active Directory objects.DSmove - to relocate objectsDSadd - create new accountsDSquery - to find objects that match your query attributes.DSget - list the properties of an object

>What are the requirements for installing AD on a new server? An NTFS partition with enough free space.An Administrator's username and password.The correct operating system version.A NIC Properly configured TCP/IP (IP address, subnet mask and - optional - default gateway).A network connection (to a hub or to another computer via a crossover cable) .An operational DNS server (which can be installed on the DC itself) .A Domain name that you want to use .The Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 CD media (or at least the i386 folder) .

Windows 2003 Active directory Interview Questions !

>Explain about Trust in AD ?To allow users in one domain to access resources in another, Active Directory uses trusts. Trusts inside a forest are automatically created when domains are created.

The forest sets the default boundaries of trust, not the domain, and implicit, transitive trust is automatic for all domains within a forest. As well as two-way transitive trust, AD trusts can be a shortcut (joins two domains in different trees, transitive, one- or two-way), forest (transitive, one- or two-way), realm (transitive or nontransitive, one- or two-way), or external (nontransitive, one- or two-way) in order to connect to other forests or non-AD domains.

Trusts in Windows 2000 (native mode)One-way trust – One domain allows access to users on another domain, but the other domain

does not allow access to users on the first domain.Two-way trust – Two domains allow access to users on both domains.Trusting domain – The domain that allows access to users from a trusted domain.Trusted domain – The domain that is trusted; whose users have access to the trusting domain.Transitive trust – A trust that can extend beyond two domains to other trusted domains in the forest.Intransitive trust – A one way trust that does not extend beyond two domains.Explicit trust – A trust that an admin creates. It is not transitive and is one way only.Cross-link trust – An explicit trust between domains in different trees or in the same tree when a descendant/ancestor (child/parent) relationship does not exist between the two domains.

Windows 2000 Server – supports the following types of trusts:Two-way transitive trusts.One-way intransitive trusts.Additional trusts can be created by administrators. These trusts can be:ShortcutWindows Server 2003 offers a new trust type – the forest root trust. This type of trust can be used to connect Windows Server 2003 forests if they are operating at the 2003 forest functional level. Authentication across this type of trust is Kerberos based (as opposed to NTLM). Forest trusts are also transitive for all the domains in the forests that are trusted. Forest trusts, however, are not transitive.

>Difference between LDIFDE and CSVDE?CSVDE is a command that can be used to import and export objects to and from the AD into a CSV-formatted file. A CSV (Comma Separated Value) file is a file easily readable in Excel. I will not go to length into this powerful command, but I will show you some basic samples of how to import a large number of users into your AD. Of course, as with the DSADD command, CSVDE can do more than just import users. Consult your help file for more info.

LDIFDE is a command that can be used to import and export objects to and from the AD into a LDIF-formatted file. A LDIF (LDAP Data Interchange Format) file is a file easily readable in any text editor, however it is not readable in programs like Excel. The major difference between CSVDE and LDIFDE (besides the file format) is the fact that LDIFDE can be used to edit and delete existing AD objects (not just users), while CSVDE can only import and export objects.

>What is tombstone lifetime attribute ?The number of days before a deleted object is removed from the directory services. This assists in removing objects from replicated servers and preventing restores from reintroducing a deleted object. This value is in the Directory Service object in the configuration NIC.

>What are application partitions? When do I use them ?AN application diretcory partition is a directory partition that is replicated only to specific domain controller.Only domain controller running windows Server 2003 can host a replica of application directory partition.Using an application directory partition provides redundany,availability or fault tolerance by

replicating data to specific domain controller pr any set of domain controllers anywhere in the forest.

>How do you create a new application partition ?Use the DnsCmd command to create an application directory partition. To do this, use the following syntax:DnsCmd ServerName /CreateDirectoryPartition FQDN of partition

>How do you view all the GCs in the forest? C:\>repadmin /showreps domain_controller where domain_controller is the DC you want to query to determine whether it?s a GC. The output will include the text DSA Options: IS_GC if the DC is a GC.

>Can you connect Active Directory to other 3rd-party Directory Services? Name a few options. Yes, you can use dirXML or LDAP to connect to other directories.In Novell you can use E-directory.

>What is IPSec PolicyIPSec provides secure gateway-to-gateway connections across outsourced private wide area network (WAN) or Internet-based connections using L2TP/IPSec tunnels or pure IPSec tunnel mode. IPSec Policy can be deployed via Group policy to the Windows Domain controllers 7 Servers.

>What are the different types of Terminal Services ? User Mode & Application Mode.

>What is RsOPOne challenge of Group Policy administration is to understand the cumulative effect of a number of Group Policy objects (GPOs) on any given computer or user, or how changes to Group Policy, such as reordering the precedence of GPOs or moving a computer or user to a different organizational unit (OU) in the directory, might affect the network. The Resultant Set of Policy (RSoP) snap-in offers administrators one solution. Administrators use the RSoP snap-in to see how multiple Group Policy objects affect various combinations of users and computers, or to predict the effect of Group Policy settings on the network.

>What is the System Startup process ? Windows 2K boot process on a Intel architecture.

1. Power-On Self Tests (POST) are run.

2. The boot device is found, the Master Boot Record (MBR) is loaded into memory, and its program is run.

3. The active partition is located, and the boot sector is loaded.

4. The Windows 2000 loader (NTLDR) is then loaded.

The boot sequence executes the following steps:

1. The Windows 2000 loader switches the processor to the 32-bit flat memory model.

2. The Windows 2000 loader starts a mini-file system.

3. The Windows 2000 loader reads the BOOT.INI file and displays the operating system selections (boot loader menu).

4. The Windows 2000 loader loads the operating system selected by the user. If Windows 2000 is selected, NTLDR runs NTDETECT.COM. For other operating systems, NTLDR loads BOOTSECT.DOS and gives it control.

5. NTDETECT.COM scans the hardware installed in the computer, and reports the list to NTLDR for inclusion in the Registry under the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE_HARDWARE hive.

6. NTLDR then loads the NTOSKRNL.EXE, and gives it the hardware information collected by NTDETECT.COM. Windows NT enters the Windows load phases.

>What is Clustering. Briefly define & explain it ?

Clustering is a technology, which is used to provide High Availability for mission critical applications. We can configure cluster by installing MCS (Microsoft cluster service) component from Add remove programs, which can only available in Enterprise Edition and Data center edition.

>Types of Clusters ?In Windows we can configure two types of clusters

1. NLB (network load balancing) cluster for balancing load between servers. This cluster will not provide any high availability. Usually preferable at edge servers like web or proxy.

2. Server Cluster: This provides High availability by configuring active-active or active-passive cluster. In 2 node active-passive cluster one node will be active and one node will be stand by. When active server fails the application will FAILOVER to stand by server automatically. When the original server backs we need to FAILBACK the application

> What is Quorum ? A shared storage need to provide for all servers which keeps information about clustered application and session state and is useful in FAILOVER situation. This is very important if Quorum disk fails entire cluster will fails.

>Why Quorum is necessary ?

When network problems occur, they can interfere with communication between cluster nodes. A small set of nodes might be able to communicate together across a functioning part of a network, but might not be able to communicate with a different set of nodes in another part of the network. This can cause serious issues. In this “split” situation, at least one of the sets of nodes must stop running as a cluster.

To prevent the issues that are caused by a split in the cluster, the cluster software requires that any set of nodes running as a cluster must use a voting algorithm to determine whether, at a given time, that set has quorum. Because a given cluster has a specific set of nodes and a specific quorum configuration, the cluster will know how many “votes” constitutes a majority (that is, a quorum). If the number drops below the majority, the cluster stops running. Nodes will still listen for the presence of other nodes, in case another node appears again on the network, but the nodes will not begin to function as a cluster until the quorum exists again.

For example, in a five node cluster that is using a node majority, consider what happens if nodes 1, 2, and 3 can communicate with each other but not with nodes 4 and 5. Nodes 1, 2, and 3 constitute a majority, and they continue running as a cluster. Nodes 4 and 5 are a minority and stop running as a cluster, which prevents the problems of a “split” situation. If node 3 loses communication with other nodes, all nodes stop running as a cluster. However, all functioning nodes will continue to listen for communication, so that when the network begins working again, the cluster can form and begin to run.

> Different types of Quorum in Windows server 2008 ?

1.Node Majority - Used when Odd number of nodes are in cluster.2.Node and Disk Majority - Even number of nodes(but not a multi-site cluster)3.Node and File Share Majority - Even number of nodes, multi-site cluster4.Node and File Share Majority - Even number of nodes, no shared storage

> Different types of Quorum in Windows server 2003 ?Standard Quorum : As mentioned above, a quorum is simply a configuration database for MSCS, and is stored in the quorum log file. A standard quorum uses a quorum log file that is located on a disk hosted on a shared storage interconnect that is accessible by all members of the cluster.Standard quorums are available in Windows NT 4.0 Enterprise Edition, Windows 2000 Advanced Server, Windows 2000 Datacenter Server, Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition and Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition.

Majority Node Set Quorums : A majority node set (MNS) quorum is a single quorum resource from a server cluster perspective. However, the data is actually stored by default on the system

disk of each member of the cluster. The MNS resource takes care to ensure that the cluster configuration data stored on the MNS is kept consistent across the different disks.Majority node set quorums are available in Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition, and Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition.

>Explain about each Quorum type ?

Node Majority: Each node that is available and in communication can vote. The cluster functions only with a majority of the votes, that is, more than half.

Node and Disk Majority: Each node plus a designated disk in the cluster storage (the “disk witness”) can vote, whenever they are available and in communication. The cluster functions only with a majority of the votes, that is, more than half.

Node and File Share Majority: Each node plus a designated file share created by the administrator (the “file share witness”) can vote, whenever they are available and in communication. The cluster functions only with a majority of the votes, that is, more than half.

No Majority: Disk Only: The cluster has quorum if one node is available and in communication with a specific disk in the cluster storage.

Windows Active Directory Interview Questions

>What is the difference between Windows 2000 Active Directory and Windows 2003 Active Directory? Is there any difference in 2000 Group Polices and 2003 Group Polices? What is meant by ADS and ADS services in Windows 2003?Windows 2003 Active Directory introduced a number of new security features, as well as convenience features such as the ability to rename a domain controller and even an entire domain

Windows Server 2003 also introduced numerous changes to the default settings that can be affected by Group Policy - you can see a detailed list of each available setting and which OS is required to support it by downloading the Group Policy Settings Reference.

ADS stands for Automated Deployment Services, and is used to quickly roll out identically-configured servers in large-scale enterprise environments. You can get more information from the ADS homepage.

>I want to setup a DNS server and Active Directory domain. What do I do first? If I install the DNS service first and name the zone 'name.org' can I name the AD domain 'name.org' too?Not only can you have a DNS zone and an Active Directory domain with the same name, it's actually the preferred way to go if at all possible. You can install and configure DNS before installing Active Directory, or you can allow the Active Directory Installation Wizard (dcpromo) itself install DNS on your server in the background.

>How do I determine if user accounts have local administrative access?You can use the net localgroup administrators command on each workstation (probably in a login script so that it records its information to a central file for later review). This command will enumerate the members of the Administrators group on each machine you run it on. Alternately, you can use the Restricted Groups feature of Group Policy to restrict the membership of Administrators to only those users you want to belong.

>Why am I having trouble printing with XP domain users?In most cases, the inability to print or access resources in situations like this one will boil down to an issue with name resolution, either DNS or WINS/NetBIOS. Be sure that your Windows XP clients' wireless connections are configured with the correct DNS and WINS name servers, as well as with the appropriate NetBIOS over TCP/IP settings. Compare your wireless settings to your wired LAN settings and look for any discrepancies that may indicate where the functional difference may lie.

>What is the ISTG? Who has that role by default?Windows 2003 Domain controllers each create Active Directory Replication connection objects representing inbound replication from intra-site replication partners. For inter-site replication, one domain controller per site has the responsibility of evaluating the inter-site replication topology and creating Active Directory Replication Connection objects for appropriate bridgehead servers within its site. The domain controller in each site that owns this role is referred to as the Inter-Site Topology Generator (ISTG).

>What is difference between Server 2003 vs 2008?1. Virtualization. (Windows Server 2008 introduces Hyper-V (V for Virtualization) but only on 64bit versions. More and more companies are seeing this as a way of reducing hardware costs by running several 'virtual' servers on one physical machine.) 2. Server Core (provides the minimum installation required to carry out a specific server role, such as for a DHCP, DNS or print server)3. Better security. 4. Role-based installation. 5. Read Only Domain Controllers (RODC). 6. Enhanced terminal services. 7. Network Access Protection - Microsoft's system for ensuring that clients connecting to Server 2008 are patched, running a firewall and in compliance with corporate security policies. 8. PowerShell - Microsoft's command line shell and scripting language has proved popular with some server administrators.9. IIS 7 .10. Bitlocker - System drive encryption can be a sensible security measure for servers located in remote branch offices. >br> The main difference between 2003 and 2008 is Virtualization, management. 2008 has more in-build components and updated third party drivers. 11. Windows Aero.

>What are the requirements for installing AD on a new server?1 The Domain structure.2 The Domain Name .

3 storage location of the database and log file. 4 Location of the shared system volume folder.5 DNS config Methode.6 DNS configuration.

>What are the default Active Directory Built in groups ?Groups in the Builtin container- Account Operators- Administrators- Backup Operators- Guests- Incoming Forest Trust Builders- Network Configuration Operators- Performance Monitor Users- Performance Log Users- Pre-Windows 2000 Compatible Access- Print Operators- Remote Desktop Users- Replicator- Server Operators- Users

Groups in the Users container- Cert Publishers- DnsAdmins (If installed with DNS)- DnsUpdateProxy (If installed with DNS)- Domain Admins- Domain Computers- Domain Controllers- Domain Guests- Domain Users- Enterprise Admins (only appears in the forest root domain)- Group Policy Creator Owners- IIS_WPG (installed with IIS)- RAS and IAS Servers- Schema Admins (only appears in the forest root domain)

>What is LDP? LDP : Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) is often used to establish MPLS LSPs when traffic engineering is not required. It establishes LSPs that follow the existing IP routing, and is particularly well suited for establishing a full mesh of LSPs between all of the routers on the network

Database Interview Questions and Answers!

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About Database

Describe RDBMS?

Relational Data Base Management Systems (RDBMS) are database management systems that maintain data records and indices in tables. Relationships may be created and maintained across and among the data and tables. In a relational database, relationships between data items are expressed by means of tables. Interdependencies among these tables are expressed by data values rather than by pointers. This allows a high degree of data independence. An RDBMS has the capability to recombine the data items from different files, providing powerful tools for data usage.

Properties of Relational tables?

Relational tables have six properties: • Values are atomic. • Column values are of the same kind. • Each row is unique. • The sequence of columns is insignificant. • The sequence of rows is insignificant. • Each column must have a unique name.

Explain about Normalization?

Database normalization is a data design and organization process applied to data structures based on rules that help building relational databases. In relational database design, the process of organizing data to minimize redundancy is called normalization. Normalization usually involves dividing a database into two or more tables and defining relationships between the tables. The objective is to isolate data so that additions, deletions, and modifications of a field can be made in just one table and then propagated through the rest of the database via the defined relationships.

What are different normalization forms?

1NF: Eliminate Repeating Groups Make a separate table for each set of related attributes, and give each table a primary key. Each field contains at most one value from its attribute domain. 2NF: Eliminate Redundant Data If an attribute depends on only part of a multi-valued key, remove it to a separate table. 3NF: Eliminate Columns Not Dependent On Key If attributes do not contribute to a description of the key, remove them to a separate table. All attributes must be directly dependent on the primary key. BCNF: Boyce-Codd Normal Form If there are non-trivial dependencies between candidate key attributes, separate them out into distinct tables. 4NF: Isolate Independent Multiple Relationships No table may contain two or more 1:n or n:m relationships that are not directly related. 5NF: Isolate Semantically Related Multiple Relationships There may be practical constrains on information that justify separating logically related many-to-many relationships. ONF: Optimal Normal Form A model limited to only simple (elemental) facts, as expressed in Object Role Model notation. DKNF: Domain-Key Normal Form A model free from all modification anomalies is said to be in DKNF. Remember,

these normalization guidelines are cumulative. For a database to be in 3NF, it must first fulfill all the criteria of a 2NF and 1NF database.

Explain about De-normalization?

De-normalization is the process of attempting to optimize the performance of a database by adding redundant data. It is sometimes necessary because current DBMSs implement the relational model poorly. A true relational DBMS would allow for a fully normalized database at the logical level, while providing physical storage of data that is tuned for high performance. De-normalization is a technique to move from higher to lower normal forms of database modeling in order to speed up database access.

Windows Server 2008 Interview Questions And Answers

1. What are some of the new tools and features provided by Windows Server 2008?Windows Server 2008 now provides a desktop environment similar to Microsoft Windows Vista and includes tools also found in Vista, such as the new backup snap-in and the BitLocker drive encryption feature. Windows Server 2008 also provides the new IIS7 web server and the Windows Deployment Service.

2. What are the different editions of Windows Server 2008?The entry-level version of Windows Server 2008 is the Standard Edition. The Enterprise Edition provides a platform for large enterprisewide networks. The Datacenter Edition provides support for unlimited Hyper-V virtualization and advanced clustering services. The Web Edition is a scaled-down version of Windows Server 2008 intended for use as a dedicated web server. The Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter Editions can be purchased with or without the Hyper-V virtualization technology.

3. What two hardware considerations should be an important part of the planning process for a Windows Server 2008 deployment?Any server on which you will install Windows Server 2008 should have at least the minimum hardware requirement for running the network operating system. Server hardware should also be on the Windows Server 2008 Hardware Compatibility List to avoid the possibility of hardware and network operating system incompatibility.

4. What are the options for installing Windows Server 2008?You can install Windows Server 2008 on a server not currently configured with NOS, or you can upgrade existing servers running Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003.

5. How do you configure and manage a Windows Server 2008 core installation?This stripped-down version of Windows Server 2008 is managed from the command line.

6. Which Control Panel tool enables you to automate the running of server utilities and other applications?The Task Scheduler enables you to schedule the launching of tools such as Windows Backup and Disk Defragmenter.

7. What are some of the items that can be accessed via the System Properties dialog box?You can access virtual memory settings and the Device Manager via the System Properties dialog box.

8. When a child domain is created in the domain tree, what type of trust relationship exists between the new child domain and the trees root domain?Child domains and the root domain of a tree are assigned transitive trusts. This means that the root domain and child domain trust each other and allow resources in any domain in the tree to be accessed by users in any domain in the tree.

9. What is the primary function of domain controllers?The primary function of domain controllers is to validate users to the network. However, domain controllers also provide the catalog of Active Directory objects to users on the network.

10. What are some of the other roles that a server running Windows Server 2008 could fill on the network?A server running Windows Server 2008 can be configured as a domain controller, a file server, a print server, a web server, or an application server. Windows servers can also have roles and features that provide services such as DNS, DHCP, and Routing and Remote Access.

11. Which Windows Server 2008 tools make it easy to manage and configure a servers roles and features?The Server Manager window enables you to view the roles and features installed on a server and also to quickly access the tools used to manage these various roles and features. The Server Manager can be used to add and remove roles and features as needed.

12. What Windows Server 2008 service is used to install client operating systems over the network?Windows Deployment Services (WDS) enables you to install client and server operating systems over the network to any computer with a PXE-enabled network interface.

13. What domain services are necessary for you to deploy the Windows Deployment Services on your network?

Windows Deployment Services requires that a DHCP server and a DNS server be installed in the domain.

14. How is WDS configured and managed on a server running Windows Server 2008?The Windows Deployment Services snap-in enables you to configure the WDS server and add boot and install images to the server.

15. What is the difference between a basic and dynamic drive in the Windows Server 2008 environment?A basic disk embraces the MS-DOS disk structure; a basic disk can be divided into partitions (simple volumes).Dynamic disks consist of a single partition that can be divided into any number of volumes. Dynamic disks also support Windows Server 2008 RAID implementations.

16. What is RAID in Windows Server 2008?RAID, or Redundant Array of Independent Disks, is a strategy for building fault tolerance into your file servers. RAID enables you to combine one or more volumes on separate drives so that they are accessed by a single drive letter. Windows Server 2008 enables you to configure RAID 0 (a striped set), RAID 1 (a mirror set), and RAID 5 (disk striping with parity).

17. What conceptual model helps provide an understanding of how network protocol stacks such as TCP/IP work?The OSI model, consisting of the application, presentation, session, transport, network, data link, and physical layers, helps describe how data is sent and received on the network by protocol stacks.

18. What protocol stack is installed by default when you install Windows Server 2008 on a network server?TCP/IP (v4 and v6) is the default protocol for Windows Server 2008. It is required for Active Directory implementations and provides for connectivity on heterogeneous networks.

19. How is a server running Windows Server 2008 configured as a domain controller, such as the domain controller for the root domain or a child domain?Installing the Active Directory on a server running Windows Server 2008 provides you with the option of creating a root domain for a domain tree or of creating child domains in an existing tree. Installing Active Directory on the server makes the server a domain controller.

20. What are some of the tools used to manage Active Directory objects in a Windows Server 2008 domain?When the Active Directory is installed on a server (making it a domain controller), a set of Active Directory snap-ins is provided. The Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in is used to manage Active Directory objects such as user accounts, computers, and groups. The Active Directory Domains and Trusts snap-in enables you to manage the trusts that are defined between domains. The Active Directory Sites and Services snap-in provides for the management of domain sites and subnets.

21. How are domain user accounts created and managed?The Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in provides the tools necessary for creating user accounts and managing account properties. Properties for user accounts include settings related to logon hours, the computers to which a user can log on, and the settings related to the user's password.

22. What type of Active Directory objects can be contained in a group?A group can contain users, computers, contacts, and other nested groups.

23. What type of group is not available in a domain that is running at the mixed-mode functional level?Universal groups are not available in a mixed-mode domain. The functional level must be raised to Windows 2003 or Windows 2008 to make these groups available.

24. What types of Active Directory objects can be contained in an Organizational Unit?Organizational Units can hold users, groups, computers, contacts, and other OUs. The Organizational Unit provides you with a container directly below the domain level that enables you to refine the logical hierarchy of how your users and other resources are arranged in the Active Directory.

25. What are Active Directory sites in Windows Server 2008?Active Directory sites are physical locations on the network's physical topology. Each regional domain that you create is assigned to a site. Sites typically represent one or more IP subnets that are connected by IP routers. Because sites are separated from each other by a router, the domain controllers on each site periodically replicate the Active Directory to update the Global Catalog on each site segment.

26. Can servers running Windows Server 2008 provide services to clients when they are not part of a domain?Servers running Windows Server 2008 can be configured to participate in a workgroup. The server can provide some services to the workgroup peers but does not provide the security and management tools provided to domain controllers.

27. What does the use of Group Policy provide you as a network administrator?Group Policy provides a method of controlling user and computer configuration settings for Active Directory containers such as sites, domains, and OUs. GPOs are linked to a particular container, and then individual policies and administrative templates are enabled to control the environment for the users or computers within that particular container.

28. What tools are involved in managing and deploying Group Policy?GPOs and their settings, links, and other information such as permissions can be viewed in the Group Policy Management snap-in.

29. How do you deal with Group Policy inheritance issues?GPOs are inherited down through the Active Directory tree by default. You can block the inheritance of settings from upline GPOs (for a particular container such as an OU or a local

computer) by selecting Block Inheritance for that particular object. If you want to enforce a higher-level GPO so that it overrides directly linked GPOs, you can use the Enforce command on the inherited (or upline) GPO.

30. How can you make sure that network clients have the most recent Windows updates installed and have other important security features such as the Windows Firewall enabled before they can gain full network access?You can configure a Network Policy Server (a service available in the Network Policy and Access Services role). The Network Policy Server can be configured to compare desktop client settings with health validators to determine the level of network access afforded to the client.

31. What is the purpose of deploying local DNS servers?A domain DNS server provides for the local mapping of fully qualified domain names to IP addresses. Because the DNS is a distributed database, the local DNS servers can provide record information to remote DNS servers to help resolve remote requests related to fully qualified domain names on your network.

In terms of DNS, what is a caching-only server?A caching-only DNS server supplies information related to queries based on the data it contains in its DNS cache. Caching-only servers are often used as DNS forwarders. Because they are not configured with any zones, they do not generate network traffic related to zone transfers.

How the range of IP addresses is defined for a Windows Server 2008 DHCP server?The IP addresses supplied by the DHCP server are held in a scope. A scope that contains more than one subnet of IP addresses is called a superscope. IP addresses in a scope that you do not want to lease can be included in an exclusion range.

Explain about sub-query and tell about its properties ?

Sub-queries are often referred to as sub-selects, as they allow a SELECT statement to be executed arbitrarily within the body of another SQL statement. A sub-query is executed by enclosing it in a set of parentheses. Sub-queries are generally used to return a single row as an atomic value, though they may be used to compare values against multiple rows with the IN keyword. A subquery is a SELECT statement that is nested within another T-SQL statement. A subquery SELECT statement if executed independently of the T-SQL statement, in which it is nested, will return a resultset. Meaning a subquery SELECT statement can standalone and is not depended on the statement in which it is nested. A subquery SELECT statement can return any number of values, and can be found in, the column list of a SELECT statement, a FROM, GROUP BY, HAVING, and/or ORDER BY clauses of a T-SQL statement. A Subquery can also be used as a parameter to a function call. Basically a subquery can be used anywhere an expression can be used.

What are different Types of Join?

Cross Join

A cross join that does not have a WHERE clause produces the Cartesian product of the tables involved in the join. The size of a Cartesian product result set is the number of rows in the first table multiplied by the number of rows in the second table. The common example is when company wants to combine each product with a pricing table to analyze each product at each price.

Inner Join

A join that displays only the rows that have a match in both joined tables is known as inner Join. This is the default type of join in the Query and View Designer.

Outer Join

A join that includes rows even if they do not have related rows in the joined table is an Outer Join. You can create three different outer join to specify the unmatched rows to be included.

Left Outer Join

In Left Outer Join all rows in the first-named table i.e. “left” table, which appears leftmost in the JOIN clause are included. Unmatched rows in the right table do not appear.

Right Outer Join

In Right Outer Join all rows in the second-named table i.e. “right” table, which appears rightmost in the JOIN clause are included. Unmatched rows in the left table are not included.

Full Outer Join

In Full Outer Join all rows in all joined tables are included,whether they are matched or not.

Self Join

This is a particular case when one table joins to itself, with one or two aliases to avoid confusion. A self join can be of any type, as long as the joined tables are the same. A self join is rather unique in that it involves a relationship with only one table. The common example is when company has a hierarchal reporting structure whereby one member of staff reports to another. Self Join can be Outer Join or Inner Join.

What are primary keys and foreign keys?

Primary keys are the unique identifiers for each row. They must contain unique values and cannot be null. Due to their importance in relational databases, Primary keys are the most fundamental of all keys and constraints. A table can have only one Primary key. Foreign keys are both a method of ensuring data integrity and a manifestation of the relationship between tables.

Explain about User Defined Functions and types of User-Defined Functions can be created?

User-Defined Functions allow defining its own T-SQL functions that can accept 0 or more parameters and return a single scalar data value or a table data type. Different Kinds of User-Defined Functions created are:

Scalar User-Defined Function

A Scalar user-defined function returns one of the scalar data types. Text, ntext, image and timestamp data types are not supported. These are the type of user-defined functions that most developers are used to in other programming languages. You pass in 0 to many parameters and you get a return value.

Inline Table-Value User-Defined Function

An Inline Table-Value user-defined function returns a table data type and is an exceptional alternative to a view as the user-defined function can pass parameters into a T-SQL select command and in essence provide us with a parameterized, non-updateable view of the underlying tables.

Multi-statement Table-Value User-Defined Function

A Multi-Statement Table-Value user-defined function returns a table and is also an exceptional alternative to a view as the function can support multiple T-SQL statements to build the final result where the view is limited to a single SELECT statement. Also, the ability to pass parameters into a TSQL select command or a group of them gives us the capability to in essence create a parameterized, non-updateable view of the data in the underlying tables. Within the create function command you must define the table structure that is being returned. After creating this type of user-defined function, It can be used in the FROM clause of a T-SQL command unlike the behavior found when using a stored procedure which can also return record sets.

Explain about Identity?

Identity (or AutoNumber) is a column that automatically generates numeric values. A start and increment value can be set, but most DBA leave these at 1. A GUID column also generates numbers; the value of this cannot be controlled. Identity/GUID columns do not need to be indexed.

Explain about DataWarehousing?

Subject-oriented, meaning that the data in the database is organized so that all the data elements relating to the same real-world event or object are linked together; Time-variant, meaning that the changes to the data in the database are tracked and recorded so that reports can be produced showing changes over time; Non-volatile, meaning that data in the database is never over-written

or deleted, once committed, the data is static, read-only, but retained for future reporting. Integrated, meaning that the database contains data from most or all of an organization’s operational applications, and that this data is made consistent.

Which TCP/IP port does SQL Server run on? Whether it can be changed?

SQL Server runs on port 1433. It can be changed from the Network Utility TCP/IP properties -> Port number, both on client and the server.

What are the difference between clustered and a non-clustered index?

A clustered index is a special type of index that reorders the way records in the table are physically stored. Therefore table can have only one clustered index. The leaf nodes of a clustered index contain the data pages. A non clustered index is a special type of index in which the logical order of the index does not match the physical stored order of the rows on disk. The leaf node of a non clustered index does not consist of the data pages. Instead, the leaf nodes contain index rows.

What are the different index configurations a table can have?

A table can have one of the following index configurations: 1. No indexes 2. A clustered index 3. A clustered index and many nonclustered indexes 4. A nonclustered index 5. Many nonclustered indexes

What are different types of Collation Sensitivity?

Case sensitivity – A and a, B and b, etc. Accent sensitivity – a and á, o and ó, etc. Kana Sensitivity – When Japanese kana characters Hiragana and Katakana are treated differently, it is called Kana sensitive. Width sensitivity – A single-byte character (half-width) and the same character represented as a double-byte character (full-width) are treated differently than it is width sensitive.

Database Interview Questions and Answers!

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Explain about OLTP (Online Transaction Processing)?

In OLTP – online transaction processing systems relational database design use the discipline of data modeling and generally follow the Codd rules of data normalization in order to ensure absolute data integrity. Using these rules complex information is broken down into its most simple structures (a table) where all of the individual atomic level elements relate to each other and satisfy the normalization rules.

What’s the difference between a primary key and a unique key?

Both primary key and unique key enforces uniqueness of the column on which they are defined. But by default primary key creates a clustered index on the column, where are unique creates a nonclustered index by default. Another major difference is that, primary key doesn’t allow NULLs, but unique key allows one NULL only.

Explain about difference between DELETE & TRUNCATE commands?

Delete command removes the rows from a table based on the condition that we provide with a WHERE clause. Truncate will actually remove all the rows from a table and there will be no data in the table after we run the truncate command.

TRUNCATE

• TRUNCATE is faster and uses fewer system and transaction log resources than DELETE. • TRUNCATE removes the data by deallocating the data pages used to store the table’s data, and only the page deallocations are recorded in the transaction log. • TRUNCATE removes all rows from a table, but the table structure, its columns, constraints, indexes and so on, remains. The counter used by an identity for new rows is reset to the seed for the column. • You cannot use TRUNCATE TABLE on a table referenced by a FOREIGN KEY constraint. Because TRUNCATE TABLE is not logged, it cannot activate a trigger. • TRUNCATE cannot be rolled back. • TRUNCATE is DDL Command. • TRUNCATE Resets identity of the table

DELETE

• DELETE removes rows one at a time and records an entry in the transaction log for each deleted row. • If you want to retain the identity counter, use DELETE instead. If you want to remove table definition and its data, use the DROP TABLE statement. • DELETE Can be used with or without a WHERE clause • DELETE Activates Triggers. • DELETE can be rolled back. • DELETE is DML Command. • DELETE does not reset identity of the table.

UPDATE_STATISTICS command?

This command is basically used when a large processing of data has occurred. If a large amount of deletions any modification or Bulk Copy into the tables has occurred, it has to update the indexes to take these changes into account. UPDATE_STATISTICS updates the indexes on these tables accordingly.

Explain about the difference between a HAVING CLAUSE and a WHERE CLAUSE?

They specify a search condition for a group or an aggregate. But the difference is that HAVING can be used only with the SELECT statement. HAVING is typically used in a GROUP BY clause. When GROUP BY is not used, HAVING behaves like a WHERE clause. Having Clause is basically used only with the GROUP BY function in a query whereas WHERE Clause is applied to each row before they are part of the GROUP BY function in a query.

What are the properties and different Types of Sub-Queries?

Properties of Sub-Query A sub-query must be enclosed in the parenthesis. A sub-query must be put in the right hand of the comparison operator, and A sub-query cannot contain an ORDER-BY clause. A query can contain more than one sub-query. Types of Sub-query Single-row sub-query, where the sub-query returns only one row. Multiple-row sub-query, where the sub-query returns multiple rows,. and Multiple column sub-query, where the sub-query returns multiple columns

Explain about SQL Profiler?

SQL Profiler is a graphical tool that allows system administrators to monitor events in an instance of Microsoft SQL Server. You can capture and save data about each event to a file or SQL Server table to analyze later. For example, you can monitor a production environment to see which stored procedures are hampering performances by executing too slowly. Use SQL Profiler to monitor only the events in which you are interested. If traces are becoming too large, you can filter them based on the information you want, so that only a subset of the event data is collected. Monitoring too many events adds overhead to the server and the monitoring process and can cause the trace file or trace table to grow very large, especially when the monitoring process takes place over a long period of time.

What are the authentication modes in SQL Server?

Windows mode and Mixed Mode

To change authentication mode in SQL Server click Start, Programs, Microsoft SQL Server and click SQL Enterprise Manager to run SQL Enterprise Manager from the Microsoft SQL Server program group. Select the server then from the Tools menu select SQL Server Configuration Properties, and choose the Security page.

Command to be used in Query Analyzer to know the version of SQL server and operating system?

SELECT SERVERPROPERTY ('productversion'), SERVERPROPERTY ('productlevel'), SERVERPROPERTY ('edition')

Database Interview Questions and Answers!

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Explain about SQL Server Agent?

SQL Server agent plays an important role in the day-to-day tasks of a database administrator (DBA). It is often overlooked as one of the main tools for SQL Server management. Its purpose is to ease the implementation of tasks for the DBA, with its full-function scheduling engine, which allows you to schedule your own jobs and scripts.

Recursive call in stored procedure is available? Depth of nesting in SP?

Yes. Because Transact-SQL supports recursion, you can write stored procedures that call themselves. Recursion can be defined as a method of problem solving wherein the solution is arrived at by repetitively applying it to subsets of the problem. A common application of recursive logic is to perform numeric computations that lend themselves to repetitive evaluation by the same processing steps. Stored procedures are nested when one stored procedure calls another or executes managed code by referencing a CLR routine, type, or aggregate. You can nest stored procedures and managed code references up to 32 levels.

Explain about Log Shipping?

Log shipping is the process of automating the backup of database and transaction log files on a production SQL server, and then restoring them onto a standby server. Enterprise Editions only supports log shipping. In log shipping the transactional log file from one server is automatically updated into the backup database on the other server. If one server fails, the other server will have the same db and can be used this as the Disaster Recovery plan. The key feature of log shipping is that it will automatically backup transaction logs throughout the day and automatically restore them on the standby server at defined interval.

How to get an accurate count of the number of records in a table?

SELECT * FROM table1 SELECT COUNT(*) FROM table1 SELECT rows FROM sysindexes WHERE id = OBJECT_ID(table1) AND indid < 2

What does it mean to have QUOTED_IDENTIFIER ON and explain about the effects setting it OFF?

When SET QUOTED_IDENTIFIER is ON, identifiers can be delimited by double quotation marks, and literals must be delimited by single quotation marks. When SET QUOTED_IDENTIFIER is OFF, identifiers cannot be quoted and must follow all Transact-SQL rules for identifiers.

Explain about the difference between a Local and a Global temporary table?

A local temporary table exists only for the duration of a connection or, if defined inside a compound statement, for the duration of the compound statement. A global temporary table remains in the database permanently, but the rows exist only within a given connection. When connection is closed, the data in the global temporary table disappears. However, the table definition remains with the database for access when database is opened next time.

Explain about the STUFF function and how does it differ from the REPLACE function?

STUFF function is used to overwrite existing characters. Using this syntax, STUFF (string_expression, start, length, replacement_characters), string_expression is the string that will have characters substituted, start is the starting position, length is the number of characters in the string that are substituted, and replacement_characters are the new characters interjected into the string. REPLACE function to replace existing characters of all occurrences. Using the syntax REPLACE (string_expression, search_string, replacement_string), where every incidence of search_string found in the string_expression will be replaced with replacement_string.

Explain about PRIMARY KEY?

A PRIMARY KEY constraint is a unique identifier for a row within a database table. Every table should have a primary key constraint to uniquely identify each row and only one primary key constraint can be created for each table. The primary key constraints are used to enforce entity integrity.

Explain about UNIQUE KEY constraint?

A UNIQUE constraint enforces the uniqueness of the values in a set of columns, so no duplicate values are entered. The unique key constraints are used to enforce entity integrity as the primary key constraints.

Explain about FOREIGN KEY?

A FOREIGN KEY constraint prevents any actions that would destroy links between tables with the corresponding data values. A foreign key in one table points to a primary key in another table. Foreign keys prevent actions that would leave rows with foreign key values when there are no primary keys with that value. The foreign key constraints are used to enforce referential integrity.

Explain about CHECK Constraint?

A CHECK constraint is used to limit the values that can be placed in a column. The check constraints are used to enforce domain integrity.

Explain about NOT NULL Constraint?

A NOT NULL constraint enforces that the column will not accept null values. The not null constraints are used to enforce domain integrity, as the check constraints.

Database Interview Questions and Answers!

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What are the steps involved to get @@ERROR and @@ROWCOUNT at the same time?

If @@Rowcount is checked after Error checking statement then it will have 0 as the value of @@Recordcount as it would have been reset. And if @@Recordcount is checked before the error-checking statement then @@Error would get reset. To get @@error and @@rowcount at the same time do both in same statement and store them in local variable. SELECT @RC = @@ROWCOUNT, @ER = @@ERROR

Explain about a Scheduled Jobs or Scheduled Tasks?

Scheduled tasks let user automate processes that run on regular or predictable cycles. User can schedule administrative tasks, such as cube processing, to run during times of slow business activity. User can also determine the order in which tasks run by creating job steps within a SQL Server Agent job. E.g. back up database, Update Stats of Tables. Job steps give user control over flow of execution. If one job fails, user can configure SQL Server Agent to continue to run the remaining tasks or to stop execution.

What are the advantages of using Stored Procedures?

• Stored procedure can reduced network traffic and latency, boosting application performance.• Stored procedure execution plans can be reused, staying cached in SQL Server’s memory, reducing server overhead.• Stored procedures help promote code reuse.• Stored procedures can encapsulate logic. You can change stored procedure code without affecting clients.• Stored procedures provide better security to your data.

Explain about a table called, if it has neither Cluster nor Non-cluster Index?

Unindexed table or Heap. Microsoft Press Books and Book on Line (BOL) refers it as Heap. A heap is a table that does not have a clustered index and, therefore, the pages are not linked by pointers. The IAM pages are the only structures that link the pages in a table together. Unindexed tables are good for fast storing of data. Many times it is better to drop all indexes from table and then do bulk of inserts and to restore those indexes after that.

Can SQL Servers linked to other servers like Oracle?

SQL Server can be linked to any server provided it has OLE-DB provider from Microsoft to allow a link. E.g. Oracle has an OLE-DB provider for oracle that Microsoft provides to add it as linked server to SQL Server group

Explain about BCP?

BulkCopy is a tool used to copy huge amount of data from tables and views. BCP does not copy the structures same as source to destination. BULK INSERT command helps to import a data file into a database table or view in a user-specified format.

What command do we use to rename a db, a table and a column?

To Rename DB

sp_renamedb 'oldname' , 'newname' If someone is using db it will not accept sp_renmaedb. In that case first bring db to single user using sp_dboptions. Use sp_renamedb to rename database. Use sp_dboptions to bring database to multi user mode. E.g. USE master; GO EXEC sp_dboption AdventureWorks, 'Single User', True GO EXEC sp_renamedb 'AdventureWorks', 'AdventureWorks_New' GO EXEC sp_dboption AdventureWorks, 'Single User', False GO

To Rename Table

We can change the table name using sp_rename as follows: sp_rename 'oldTableName' 'newTableName' E.g. sp_RENAME 'Table_First', 'Table_Last' GO

To Rename Column

The script for renaming any column : sp_rename 'TableName.[OldcolumnName]', 'NewColumnName', 'Column' E.g. sp_RENAME 'Table_First.Name', 'NameChange' , 'COLUMN' GO

What are sp_configure commands and set commands?

Use sp_configure to display or change server-level settings. To change database-level settings, use ALTER DATABASE. To change settings that affect only the current user session, use the SET statement. E.g. sp_CONFIGURE 'show advanced', 0 GO RECONFIGURE GO sp_CONFIGURE GO You can run following command and check advance global configuration settings. sp_CONFIGURE 'show advanced', 1 GO RECONFIGURE GO sp_CONFIGURE GO

What are the steps involved to implement one-to-one, one-to-many and many-to-many relationships while designing tables?

One-to-One relationship can be implemented as a single table and rarely as two tables with primary and foreign key relationships. One-to-Many relationships are implemented by splitting the data into two tables with primary key and foreign key relationships. Many-to-Many relationships are implemented using a junction table with the keys from both the tables forming the composite primary key of the junction table.

Windows 2003 Server Active directory Interview Questions !

>How do you view replication properties for AD partitions and DCs?By using replication monitor go to start > run > type repadmingo to start > run > type replmon

>Why can't you restore a DC that was backed up 4 months ago?Because of the tombstone life which is set to only 60 days.

>Different modes of AD restore ? A nonauthoritative restore is the default method for restoring Active Directory. To perform a nonauthoritative restore, you must be able to start the domain controller in Directory Services Restore Mode. After you restore the domain controller from backup, replication partners use the standard replication protocols to update Active Directory and associated information on the restored domain controller.

An authoritative restore brings a domain or a container back to the state it was in at the time of backup and overwrites all changes made since the backup. If you do not want to replicate the changes that have been made subsequent to the last backup operation, you must perform an authoritative restore. In this one needs to stop the inbound replication first before performing the An authoritative restore.

>How do you configure a stand-by operation master for any of the roles? # Open Active Directory Sites and Services.# Expand the site name in which the standby operations master is located to display the Servers folder.# Expand the Servers folder to see a list of the servers in that site.# Expand the name of the server that you want to be the standby operations master to display its NTDS Settings.# Right-click NTDS Settings, click New, and then click Connection.# In the Find Domain Controllers dialog box, select the name of the current role holder, and then click OK.# In the New Object-Connection dialog box, enter an appropriate name for the Connection object or accept the default name, and click OK.

>What's the difference between transferring a FSMO role and seizing ? Seizing an FSMO can be a destructive process and should only be attempted if the existing server with the FSMO is no longer available.

If you perform a seizure of the FSMO roles from a DC, you need to ensure two things: the current holder is actually dead and offline, and that the old DC will NEVER return to the network. If you do an FSMO role Seize and then bring the previous holder back online, you'll have a problem.

An FSMO role TRANSFER is the graceful movement of the roles from a live, working DC to another live DC During the process, the current DC holding the role(s) is updated, so it becomes aware it is no longer the role holder

>I want to look at the RID allocation table for a DC. What do I do?dcdiag /test:ridmanager /s:servername /v (servername is the name of our DC)

>What is BridgeHead Server in AD ?A bridgehead server is a domain controller in each site, which is used as a contact point to receive and replicate data between sites. For intersite replication, KCC designates one of the domain controllers as a bridgehead server. In case the server is down, KCC designates another one from the domain controller. When a bridgehead server receives replication updates from another site, it replicates the data to the other domain controllers within its site.

Database Interview Questions and Answers!

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Explain about an execution plan?

An execution plan is basically a road map that graphically or textually shows the data retrieval methods chosen by the SQL Server query optimizer for a stored procedure or ad-hoc query and is a very useful tool for a developer to understand the performance characteristics of a query or stored procedure since the plan is the one that SQL Server will place in its cache and use to execute the stored procedure or query. From within Query Analyzer is an option called “Show Execution Plan” (located on the Query drop-down menu). If this option is turned on it will display query execution plan in separate window when query is ran again.

What are the basic functions for master, msdb, model, tempdb and resource databases?

MasterThe master database holds information for all databases located on the SQL Server instance and is theglue that holds the engine together. Because SQL Server cannot start without a functioning masterdatabase, you must administer this database with care. MsdbThe msdb database stores information regarding database backups, SQL Agent information, DTS packages, SQL Server jobs, and some replication information such as for log shipping. TempdbThe tempdb holds temporary objects such as global and local temporary tables and stored procedures. ModelThe model is essentially a template database used in the creation of any new user database created in the instance. The resoure Database is a read-only database that contains all the system objects that are included with SQL Server. SQL Server system objects, such as sys.objects, are physically persisted in the Resource database, but they logically appear in the sys schema of every database. The Resource database does not contain user data or user metadata.

Explain about Service Broker?

Service Broker is a message-queuing technology in SQL Server that allows developers to integrate SQL Server fully into distributed applications. Service Broker is feature which provides facility to SQL Server to send an asynchronous, transactional message. it allows a database to send a message to another database without waiting for the response, so the application will continue to function if the remote database is temporarily unavailable.

Where SQL server user names and passwords are stored in SQL server?

They get stored in System Catalog Views sys.server_principals and sys.sql_logins.

Explain about Policy Management?

Policy Management in SQL SERVER 2008 allows you to define and enforce policies for configuring and managing SQL Server across the enterprise. Policy-Based Management is configured in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). Navigate to the Object Explorer and expand the Management node and the Policy Management node; you will see the Policies, Conditions, and Facets nodes.

Windows Sever 2013 Active directory Interview Questions and Answers

>What is the default size of ntds.dit ?10 MB in Server 2000 and 12 MB in Server 2003 .

>Where is the AD database held and What are other folders related to AD ?AD Database is saved in %systemroot%/ntds. You can see other files also in this folder. These are the main files controlling the AD structure.

ntds.ditedb.logres1.logres2.logedb.chk

When a change is made to the Win2K database, triggering a write operation, Win2K records the transaction in the log file (edb.log). Once written to the log file, the change is then written to the AD database. System performance determines how fast the system writes the data to the AD database from the log file. Any time the system is shut down, all transactions are saved to the database.

During the installation of AD, Windows creates two files: res1.log and res2.log. The initial size of each is 10MB. These files are used to ensure that changes can be written to disk should the system run out of free disk space. The checkpoint file (edb.chk) records transactions committed to the AD database (ntds.dit). During shutdown, a "shutdown" statement is written to the edb.chk file.

Then, during a reboot, AD determines that all transactions in the edb.log file have been committed to the AD database. If, for some reason, the edb.chk file doesn't exist on reboot or the shutdown statement isn't present, AD will use the edb.log file to update the AD database. The last file in our list of files to know is the AD database itself, ntds.dit. By default, the file is located in\NTDS, along with the other files we've discussed

>What FSMO placement considerations do you know of ?Windows 2000/2003 Active Directory domains utilize a Single Operation Master method called

FSMO (Flexible Single Master Operation), as described in Understanding FSMO Roles in Active Directory.

In most cases an administrator can keep the FSMO role holders (all 5 of them) in the same spot (or actually, on the same DC) as has been configured by the Active Directory installation process.

However, there are scenarios where an administrator would want to move one or more of the FSMO roles from the default holder DC to a different DC.Windows Server 2003 Active Directory is a bit different than the Windows 2000 version when dealing with FSMO placement.

In this article I will only deal with Windows Server 2003 Active Directory, but you should bear in mind that most considerations are also true when planning Windows 2000 AD FSMO roles

>What do you do to install a new Windows 2003 R2 DC in a Windows 2003 AD?If you're installing Windows 2003 R2 on an existing Windows 2003 server with SP1 installed, you require only the second R2 CD-ROM.

Insert the second CD and the r2auto.exe will display the Windows 2003 R2 Continue Setup screen. If you're installing R2 on a domain controller (DC), you must first upgrade the schema to the R2 version (this is a minor change and mostly related to the new Dfs replication engine).

To update the schema, run the Adprep utility, which you'll find in the Components\r2\adprep folder on the second CD-ROM. Before running this command, ensure all DCs are running Windows 2003 or Windows 2000 with SP2 (or later).

Here's a sample execution of the Adprep /forestprep command:D:\CMPNENTS\R2\ADPREP>adprep /forestprep ADPREP WARNING:Before running adprep, all Windows 2000 domain controllers in the forest should be upgraded to Windows 2000 Service Pack 1 (SP1) with QFE 265089, or to Windows 2000 SP2 (or later).

QFE 265089 (included in Windows 2000 SP2 and later) is required to prevent potential domain controller corruption.[User Action] If ALL your existing Windows 2000 domain controllers meet this requirement, type C and then press ENTER to continue. Otherwise, type any other key and press ENT ER to quit.C Opened Connection to SAV

DALDC01 SSPI Bind succeeded Current Schema Version is 30 Upgrading schema to version 31 Connecting to "SAVDALDC01" Logging in as current user using SSPI Importing directory from file "C:\WINDOWS\system32\sch31.ldf" Loading entries... 139 entries modified successfully.

The command has completed successfully Adprep successfully updated the forest-wide information.After running Adprep, install R2 by performing these steps:

1. Click the "Continue Windows Server 2003 R2 Setup" link, as the figureshows.2. At the "Welcome to the Windows Server 2003 R2 Setup Wizard" screen, click Next.3. You'll be prompted to enter an R2 CD key (this is different from your existing Windows 2003 keys) if the underlying OS wasn't installed from R2 media (e.g., a regular Windows 2003 SP1 installation). Enter the R2 key and click Next. Note: The license key entered for R2 must match the underlying OS type, which means if you installed Windows 2003 using a volume-license version key, then you can't use a retail or Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) R2 key.4. You'll see the setup summary screen which confirms the actions to be performed (e.g., Copy files). Click Next.5. After the installation is complete, you'll see a confirmation dialog box. Click Finish

>What is OU ?Organization Unit is a container object in which you can keep objects such as user accounts, groups, computer, printer . applications and other (OU).In organization unit you can assign specific permission to the user's. organization unit can also be used to create departmental limitation.

>Name some OU design considerations ?OU design requires balancing requirements for delegating administrative rights - independent of Group Policy needs - and the need to scope the application of Group Policy.

The following OU design recommendations address delegation and scope issues:Applying Group Policy An OU is the lowest-level Active Directory container to which you can assign Group Policy settings.Delegating administrative authorityusually don't go more than 3 OU levels

Windows Active directory Interview Questions !

>What is sites ? What are they used for ?One or more well-connected (highly reliable and fast) TCP/IP subnets.A site allows administrators to configure Active Directory access and replication topology to take advantage of the physical network.

A Site object in Active Directory represents a physical geographic location that hosts networks. Sites contain objects called Subnets.

Sites can be used to Assign Group Policy Objects, facilitate the discovery of resources, manage active directory replication, and manage network link traffic. Sites can be linked to other Sites. Site-linked objects may be assigned a cost value that represents

the speed, reliability, availability, or other real property of a physical resource. Site Links may also be assigned a schedule.

>Trying to look at the Schema, how can I do that ?register schmmgmt.dll using this commandc:\windows\system32>regsvr32 schmmgmt.dll Open mmc --> add snapin --> add Active directory schema name it as schema.msc Open administrative tool --> schema.msc

>What is the port no of Kerberos ?88

>What is Kerberos & Kerberos Authentication?Kerberos provides secure user authentication with an industry standard that permits interoperability. The Active Directory domain controller maintains user account and log-in information to support the Kerberos service.

The Kerberos version 5 authentication protocol provides a mechanism for authentication — and mutual authentication — between a client and a server, or between one server and another server.

>What is the port no of Global catalog ? 3268

>What Is the Global Catalog ?The global catalog is a distributed data repository that contains a searchable, partial representation of every object in every domain in a multidomain Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) forest. The global catalog is stored on domain controllers that have been designated as global catalog servers and is distributed through multimaster replication. Searches that are directed to the global catalog are faster because they do not involve referrals to different domain controllers.

>What is the port no of LDAP ?389

>What is LDAP ?The Lightweight Directory Access Protocol is an application protocol for accessing and maintaining distributed directory information services over an Internet Protocol network.

>Explain Active Directory Schema ? Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003 Active Directory uses a database set of rules called "Schema". The Schema is defines as the formal definition of all object classes, and the attributes that make up those object classes, that can be stored in the directory. As mentioned earlier, the Active Directory database includes a default Schema, which defines many object classes, such as users, groups, computers, domains, organizational units, and so on.

These objects are also known as "Classes". The Active Directory Schema can be dynamically extensible, meaning that you can modify the schema by defining new object types and their attributes and by defining new attributes for existing objects. You can do this either with the Schema Manager snap-in tool included with Windows 2000/2003 Server, or programmatically.

Windows Server 2012 Active directory Interview Questions and Answers

>How can you forcibly remove AD from a server, and what do you do later? ? Can I get user passwords from the AD database? Dcpromo /forceremoval , an administrator can forcibly remove Active Directory and roll back the system without having to contact or replicate any locally held changes to another DC in the forest. Reboot the server then After you use the dcpromo /forceremoval command, all the remaining metadata for the demoted DC is not deleted on the surviving domain controllers, and therefore you must manually remove it by using the NTDSUTIL command.

In the event that the NTDS Settings object is not removed correctly you can use the Ntdsutil.exe utility to manually remove the NTDS Settings object. You will need the following tool: Ntdsutil.exe, Active Directory Sites and Services, Active Directory Users and Computers

>What are the FSMO roles? Who has them by default? What happens when each one fails? Flexible Single Master Operation (FSMO) role. Currently there are five FSMO roles: Schema master Domain naming master RID master PDC emulatorInfrastructure master

>What is domain tree ? Domain Trees: A domain tree comprises several domains that share a common schema and configuration, forming a contiguous namespace. Domains in a tree are also linked together by trust relationships. Active Directory is a set of one or more trees. Trees can be viewed two ways. One view is the trust relationships between domains. The other view is the namespace of the domain tree.

>What is forests ? A collection of one or more domain trees with a common schema and implicit trust relationships between them. This arrangement would be used if you have multiple root DNS addresses.

>How to Select the Appropriate Restore Method ?You select the appropriate restore method by considering: Circumstances and characteristics of the failure. The two major categories of failure, From an Active Directory perspective, are Active Directory data corruption and hardware failure.

Active Directory data corruption occurs when the directory contains corrupt data that has been replicated to all domain controllers or when a large portion of the Active Directory hierarchy has been changed accidentally (such as deletion of an OU) and this change has replicated to other domain controllers.

Latest Windows Active Directory Interview Questions !

>How do you change the DS Restore admin password ?

In Windows 2000 Server, you used to have to boot the computer whose password you wanted to change in Directory Restore mode, then use either the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) Local User and Groups snap-in or the command net user administrator * to change the Administrator password. Win2K Server Service Pack 2 (SP2) introduced the Setpwd utility, which lets you reset the Directory Service Restore Mode password without having to reboot the computer. (Microsoft refreshed Setpwd in SP4 to improve the utility?s scripting options.)

In Windows Server 2003, you use the Ntdsutil utility to modify the Directory Service Restore Mode Administrator password.

To do so, follow these steps:1. Start Ntdsutil (click Start, Run; enter cmd.exe; then enter ntdsutil.exe).2. Start the Directory Service Restore Mode Administrator password-reset utility by entering the argument ?set dsrm password? at the ntdsutil prompt: ntdsutil: set dsrm password.3. Run the Reset Password command, passing the name of the server on which to change the password, or use the null argument to specify the local machine. For example, to reset the password on server testing, enter the following argument at the Reset DSRM Administrator Password prompt: Reset DSRM Administrator Password: reset password on server testing

To reset the password on the local machine, specify null as the server name:Reset DSRM Administrator Password: reset password on server null

4. You?ll be prompted twice to enter the new password. You?ll see the following messages:5. Please type password for DS Restore Mode Administrator Account:6. Please confirm new password:Password has been set successfully.7. Exit the password-reset utility by typing ?quit? at the following prompts:8. Reset DSRM Administrator Password: quitntdsutil: quit

 

 >I am upgrading from NT to 2003. The only things that are NT are the PDC and BDCs; everything else is 2000 or 2003 member servers. My question is, when I upgrade my NT domain controllers to 2003, will I need to do anything else to my Windows 2000/2003 member servers that were in the NT domain?Your existing member servers, regardless of operating system, will simply become member servers in your upgraded AD domain. If you will be using Organizational Units and Group Policy (and I hope you are), you'll probably want to move them to a specific OU for administration and policy application, since they'll be in the default "Computers" container immediately following the upgrade.

>How do I use Registry keys to remove a user from a group?In Windows Server 2003, you can use the dsmod command-line utility with the -delmbr switch to remove a group member from the command line. You should also look into the freeware utilities available from www.joeware.net . ADFind and ADMod are indispensable tools in my arsenal when it comes to searching and modifying Active Directory.

>Why are my NT4 clients failing to connect to the Windows 2000 domain?Since NT4 relies on NetBIOS for name resolution, verify that your WINS server (you do have a WINS server running, yes?) contains the records that you expect for the 2000 domain controller, and that your clients have the correct address configured for the WINS server.

>Difference between KCC and ISTG?KCC (Knowledge consistency checker) is responsible for generating site replication toplolgies between domain controllers. KCC runs in each DC of a domain and creates a connection object for each DC in AD. It is responsible for all intra-site replication.

In case of an inter-site scenario, there will be a bridge-head server to manage site-site replication. Here, the connection objects for the bridge-head servers are created in a seperate way. ISTG (Inter-Site Topology Generator) is responsible for creating connection objects in bridge-head servers. ISTG is nothing but a KCC server(DC), which is responsible for reviewing the inter-site topology and creating inbound replication connection objects as necessary for bridgehead servers in the site in which it resides.The domain controller holding this role may not necessarily also be a bridgehead server.

> What Are Active Directory Functional Levels?In Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), domain controllers can run different versions of Windows Server operating systems. The functional level of a domain or forest depends on which versions of Windows Server operating systems are running on the domain controllers in the domain or forest. The functional level of a domain or forest controls which advanced features are available in the domain or forest.

Ideally, all servers in an organization could run the latest version of Windows and take advantage of all the advanced features that are available with the newest software. But organizations often have a mixture of systems, generally running different versions of operating systems, which are

migrated to the latest version only as organizational requirements demand additional functionality, either for the entire organization or for a specific area of the organization.

AD DS supports phased implementation of new versions of Windows Server and advanced features on domain controllers by providing multiple functional levels, each of which is specific to the versions of Windows Server operating systems that are running on the domain controllers in the environment. These functional levels provide configuration support for the AD DS features and ensure compatibility with domain controllers running earlier versions of Windows Server.

AD DS does not automatically enable advanced features, even if all domain controllers within a forest are running the same version of Windows Server. Instead, an administrator raises a domain or forest to a specific functional level to safely enable advanced features when all domain controllers in the domain or forest are running an appropriate version of Windows Server. When an administrator attempts to raise the functional level, AD DS checks whether all domain controllers are running an appropriate Windows Server operating system to ensure the proper environment for enabling new Active Directory features.

> Domain functional level.Six domain functional levels are available:- Windows 2000 mixed (the default in Windows Server 2003)- Windows 2000 native- Windows Server 2003 interim- Windows Server 2003- Windows Server 2008- Windows Server 2008 R2

> Forest functional level.Five forest functional levels are available:- Windows 2000(the default in Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008)- Windows Server 2003 interim- Windows Server 2003 (the default in Windows Server 2008 R2)- Windows Server 2008- Windows Server 2008 R2

What are some of the new tools and features provided by Windows Server 2008?Windows Server 2008 now provides a desktop environment similar to Microsoft Windows Vista and includes tools also found in Vista, such as the new backup snap-in and the BitLocker drive encryption feature. Windows Server 2008 also provides the new IIS7 web server and the Windows Deployment Service.What are the different editions of Windows Server 2008?The entry-level version of Windows Server 2008 is the Standard Edition. The Enterprise Edition provides a platform for large enterprisewide networks. The Datacenter Edition provides support for unlimited Hyper-V virtualization and advanced clustering services. The Web Edition is a scaled-down version of Windows Server 2008 intended for use as a dedicated web server. The Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter Editions can be purchased with or without the Hyper-V virtualization technology.

What two hardware considerations should be an important part of the planning process for a Windows Server 2008 deployment?Any server on which you will install Windows Server 2008 should have at least the minimum hardware requirement for running the network operating system. Server hardware should also be on the Windows Server 2008 Hardware Compatibility List to avoid the possibility of hardware and network operating system incompatibility.What are the options for installing Windows Server 2008?You can install Windows Server 2008 on a server not currently configured with NOS, or you can upgrade existing servers running Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003.How do you configure and manage a Windows Server 2008 core installation?This stripped-down version of Windows Server 2008 is managed from the command line.Which Control Panel tool enables you to automate the running of server utilities and other applications?The Task Scheduler enables you to schedule the launching of tools such as Windows Backup and Disk Defragmenter.What are some of the items that can be accessed via the System Properties dialog box?You can access virtual memory settings and the Device Manager via the System Properties dialog box.When a child domain is created in the domain tree, what type of trust relationship exists between the new child domain and the trees root domain?Child domains and the root domain of a tree are assigned transitive trusts. This means that the root domain and child domain trust each other and allow resources in any domain in the tree to be accessed by users in any domain in the tree.What is the primary function of domain controllers?The primary function of domain controllers is to validate users to the network. However, domain controllers also provide the catalog of Active Directory objects to users on the network.What are some of the other roles that a server running Windows Server 2008 could fill on the network?A server running Windows Server 2008 can be configured as a domain controller, a file server, a print server, a web server, or an application server. Windows servers can also have roles and features that provide services such as DNS, DHCP, and Routing and Remote Access.Which Windows Server 2008 tools make it easy to manage and configure a servers roles and features?The Server Manager window enables you to view the roles and features installed on a server and also to quickly access the tools used to manage these various roles and features. The Server Manager can be used to add and remove roles and features as needed.What Windows Server 2008 service is used to install client operating systems over the network?Windows Deployment Services (WDS) enables you to install client and server operating systems over the network to any computer with a PXE-enabled network interface.What domain services are necessary for you to deploy the Windows Deployment Services on your network?Windows Deployment Services requires that a DHCP server and a DNS server be installed in the domainHow is WDS configured and managed on a server running Windows Server 2008?The Windows Deployment Services snap-in enables you to configure the WDS server and add boot and install images to the server.What is the difference between a basic and dynamic drive in the Windows Server 2008 environment?A basic disk embraces the MS-DOS disk structure; a basic disk can be divided into partitions (simple volumes).

Dynamic disks consist of a single partition that can be divided into any number of volumes. Dynamic disks also support Windows Server 2008 RAID implementations.What is RAID in Windows Server 2008?RAID, or Redundant Array of Independent Disks, is a strategy for building fault tolerance into your file servers. RAID enables you to combine one or more volumes on separate drives so that they are accessed by a single drive letter. Windows Server 2008 enables you to configure RAID 0 (a striped set), RAID 1 (a mirror set), and RAID 5 (disk striping with parity).What conceptual model helps provide an understanding of how network protocol stacks such as TCP/IP work?The OSI model, consisting of the application, presentation, session, transport, network, data link, and physical layers, helps describe how data is sent and received on the network by protocol stacks.What protocol stack is installed by default when you install Windows Server 2008 on a network server?TCP/IP (v4 and v6) is the default protocol for Windows Server 2008. It is required for Active Directory implementations and provides for connectivity on heterogeneous networks.How is a server running Windows Server 2008 configured as a domain controller, such as the domain controller for the root domain or a child domain?Installing the Active Directory on a server running Windows Server 2008 provides you with the option of creating a root domain for a domain tree or of creating child domains in an existing tree. Installing Active Directory on the server makes the server a domain controller.What are some of the tools used to manage Active Directory objects in a Windows Server 2008 domain?When the Active Directory is installed on a server (making it a domain controller), a set of Active Directory snap-ins is provided. The Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in is used to manage Active Directory objects such as user accounts, computers, and groups. The Active Directory Domains and Trusts snap-in enables you to manage the trusts that are defined between domains. The Active Directory Sites and Services snap-in provides for the management of domain sites and subnets.How are domain user accounts created and managed?The Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in provides the tools necessary for creating user accounts and managing account properties. Properties for user accounts include settings related to logon hours, the computers to which a user can log on, and the settings related to the user’s password.What type of Active Directory objects can be contained in a group?A group can contain users, computers, contacts, and other nested groups.What type of group is not available in a domain that is running at the mixed-mode functional level?Universal groups are not available in a mixed-mode domain. The functional level must be raised to Windows 2003 or Windows 2008 to make these groups available.What types of Active Directory objects can be contained in an Organizational Unit?Organizational Units can hold users, groups, computers, contacts, and other OUs. The Organizational Unit provides you with a container directly below the domain level that enables you to refine the logical hierarchy of how your users and other resources are arranged in the Active Directory.What are Active Directory sites in Windows Server 2008?Active Directory sites are physical locations on the network’s physical topology. Each regional domain that you create is assigned to a site. Sites typically represent one or more IP subnets that are connected by IP routers. Because sites are separated from each other by a router, the domain controllers on each site periodically replicate the Active Directory to update the Global Catalog on each site segment.Can servers running Windows Server 2008 provide services to clients when they are not part of a domain?

Servers running Windows Server 2008 can be configured to participate in a workgroup. The server can provide some services to the workgroup peers but does not provide the security and management tools provided to domain controllers.What does the use of Group Policy provide you as a network administrator?Group Policy provides a method of controlling user and computer configuration settings for Active Directory containers such as sites, domains, and OUs. GPOs are linked to a particular container, and then individual policies and administrative templates are enabled to control the environment for the users or computers within that particular container.What tools are involved in managing and deploying Group Policy?GPOs and their settings, links, and other information such as permissions can be viewed in the Group Policy Management snap-in.How do you deal with Group Policy inheritance issues?GPOs are inherited down through the Active Directory tree by default. You can block the inheritance of settings from upline GPOs (for a particular container such as an OU or a local computer) by selecting Block Inheritance for that particular object. If you want to enforce a higher-level GPO so that it overrides directly linked GPOs, you can use the Enforce command on the inherited (or upline) GPO.How can you make sure that network clients have the most recent Windows updates installed and have other important security features such as the Windows Firewall enabled before they can gain full network access?You can configure a Network Policy Server (a service available in the Network Policy and Access Services role). The Network Policy Server can be configured to compare desktop client settings with health validators to determine the level of network access afforded to the client.What is the purpose of deploying local DNS servers?A domain DNS server provides for the local mapping of fully qualified domain names to IP addresses. Because the DNS is a distributed database, the local DNS servers can provide record information to remote DNS servers to help resolve remote requests related to fully qualified domain names on your network.In terms of DNS, what is a caching-only server?A caching-only DNS server supplies information related to queries based on the data it contains in its DNS cache. Caching-only servers are often used as DNS forwarders. Because they are not configured with any zones, they do not generate network traffic related to zone transfers.How the range of IP addresses is defined for a Windows Server 2008 DHCP server?The IP addresses supplied by the DHCP server are held in a scope. A scope that contains more than one subnet of IP addresses is called a superscope. IP addresses in a scope that you do not want to lease can be included in an exclusion range.

Here are some questions frequently asked in technical round:

1.   We’ve installed a new Windows-based DHCP server, however, the users do not seem to be getting DHCP leases off of it. The server must be authorized first with the Active Directory.

2.   How do you double-boot a Win 2003 server box? The Boot.ini file is set as read-only, system, and hidden to prevent unwanted

editing. To change the Boot.ini timeout and default settings, use the System option in Control Panel from the Advanced tab and select Startup.

3.   What do you do if earlier application doesn’t run on Windows Server 2003? When an application that ran on an earlier legacy version of Windows cannot be loaded during the setup function or if it later malfunctions, you must run the compatibility mode function. This is accomplished by right-clicking the application or setup program and selecting Properties –> Compatibility –> selecting the previously supported operating system.

4.   What do you understand by Global Catalog and Global Catalog Server?The global catalog is a distributed data repository that contains a searchable, partial representation of every object in every domain in a multidomain Active Directory forest. It provides the ability to locate objects from any domain without having to know the domain name.

5.   What is GCS ? A global catalog server is a domain controller. It is a master searchable database that contains information about every object in every domain in a forest. The global catalog contains a complete replica of all objects in Active Directory for its host domain, and contains a partial replica of all objects in Active Directory for every other domain in the forest. It is responsible for providing group membership information during logon and authentication and helps users in locating resources in Active Directory.

6.   What snap-in administrative tools are available for Active Directory? Active Directory Domains and Trusts Manager, Active Directory Sites and Services Manager, Active Directory Users and Group Manager, Active Directory Replication (optional, available from the Resource Kit), Active Directory Schema Manager (optional, available from adminpak)

7.   What’s the difference between local, global and universal groups? Domain local groups assign access permissions to global domain groups for local domain resources. Global groups provide access to resources in other trusted domains. Universal groups grant access to resources in all trusted domains.

8.   I am trying to create a new universal user group. Why can’t I?Universal groups are allowed only in native-mode Windows Server 2003

environments. Native mode requires that all domain controllers be promoted to Windows Server 2003 Active Directory.

9.   What is LSDOU? It’s group policy inheritance model, where the policies are applied to Local machines, Sites, Domains and Organizational Units. 

10.How can you restrict running certain applications on a machine? We can do this via Group Policy security settings for the group, then Software Restriction Policies.

11.You need to automatically install an app, but MSI file is not available. What do you do? A .zap text file can be used to add applications using the Software Installer, rather than the Windows Installer.

 

12.What’s the difference between Software Installer and Windows Installer? The former has fewer privileges and will probably require user intervention. Plus, it uses .zap files.

13.What does IntelliMirror do? It helps to reconcile desktop settings, applications, and stored files for users, particularly those who move between workstations or those who must periodically work offline.

14.What’s the major difference between FAT and NTFS on a local machine? FAT and FAT32 provide no security over locally logged-on users. Only native NTFS provides extensive permission control on both remote and local files.

15.How do FAT and NTFS differ in approach to user shares? They don’t, both have support for sharing.

16.Can you use Start->Search with DFS shares? Yes.

17.What problems can you have with DFS installed? Two users opening the redundant copies of the file at the same time, with no file-locking involved in DFS, changing the contents and then saving. Only one file will be propagated through DFS.

18.I run Microsoft Cluster Server and cannot install fault-tolerant DFS. Yeah, you can’t. Install a standalone one.

19.Is Kerberos encryption symmetric or asymmetric?Symmetric

20.How does Windows 2003 Server try to prevent a middle-man attack on encrypted line?Time stamp is attached to the initial client request, encrypted with the shared key.

21.Can Windows Server 2003 function as a bridge? Yes, and it’s a new feature for the 2003 product. You can combine several networks and devices connected via several adapters by enabling IP routing.

22.Does Windows Server 2003 support IPv6? Yes, run ipv6.exe from command line to disable it.

23.What’s the role of http.sys in IIS? It is the point of contact for all incoming HTTP requests. It listens for requests and queues them until they are all processed, no more queues are available, or the Web server is shut down.

24.Where’s ASP cache located on IIS 6.0? On disk, as opposed to memory, as it used to be in IIS 5

Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Q&A

>How to add your first Windows 2003 DC to an existing Windows 2000 domain ?

The first step is to install Windows 2003 on your new DC. This is a straighforward process, so we aren?t going to discuss that here.

Because significant changes have been made to the Active Directory schema in Windows 2003, we need to make our Windows 2000 Active Directory compatible with the new version. If you already have Windows 2003 DCs running with Windows 2000 DCs, then you can skip down to the part about DNS.

Before you attempt this step, you should make sure that you have service pack 4 installed on your Windows 2000 DC. Next, make sure that you are logged in as a user that is a member of the Schema Admin and Enterprise Admin groups.

Next, insert the Windows 2003 Server installation CD into the Windows 2000 Server. Bring up a command line and change directories to the I386 directory on the installation CD. At the command prompt, type: Code : adprep /forestprep After running this command, make sure that the updates have been replicated to all existing Windows 2000 DCs in the forest. Next, we need to run the following command: Code : adprep /domainprep

The above command must be run on the Infrastructure Master of the domain by someone who is a member of the Domain Admins group. Once this is complete, we move back to the Windows 2003 Server. Click ?start? then ?run? - type in dcpromo and click OK. During the ensuing wizard, make sure that you select that you are adding this DC to an existing domain. After this process is complete, the server will reboot. When it comes back online, check and make sure that the AD database has been replicated to your new server.Next, you will want to check and make sure that DNS was installed on your new server.

If not, go to the control panel, click on ?Add or Remove Programs?, and click the ?Add/Remove Windows Components? button.In the Windows Components screen, click on ?Networking Services? and click the details button.

In the new window check ?Domain Name System (DNS)? and then click the OK button. Click ?Next? in the Windows Components screen. This will install DNS and the server will reboot. After reboot, pull up the DNS Management window and make sure that your DNS settings have replicated from the Windows 2000 Server. You will need to re-enter any forwarders or other properties you had set up, but the DNS records should replicate on their own.

The next 2 items, global catalog and FSMO roles, are important if you plan on decomissioning your Windows 2000 server(s). If this is the case, you need to tansfer the global catalog from the old server to the new one.

First, let?s create a global catalog on our new server. Here are the steps:

1. On the domain controller where you want the new global catalog, start the Active Directory Sites and Services snap-in.To start the snap-in, click ?Start?, point to ?Programs?, point to ?Administrative Tools?, and then click ?Active Directory Sites and Services?. 2. In the console tree, double-click ?Sites?, and then double-click ?sitename?.

3. Double-click ?Servers?, click your domain controller, right-click ?NTDS Settings?, and then click ?Properties?. 4. On the General tab, click to select the Global catalog check box to assign the role of global

catalog to this server. 5. Restart the domain controller.

Make sure you allow sufficient time for the account and the schema information to replicate to the new global catalog server before you remove the global catalog from the original DC or take the DC offline.

After this is complete, you will want to transfer or seize the FSMO roles for your new server. For instructions, read Using Ntdsutil.exe to transfer or seize FSMO roles to a domain controller. After this step is complete, we can now run DCPROMO on the Windows 2000 Servers in order to demote them.

Once this is complete, copy over any files you need to your new server and you should have successfully replaced your Windows 2000 server(s) with a new Windows 2003 server.

Entry-Level and Help Desk PositionsThese questions are mostly for Help Desk positions but I wouldn’t be surprised if an entry-level candidate was asked any one of these questions. If you don’t know the answer, find it, memorize it and then practice explaining it in your own words.1. What is the difference between a hub and a switch?2. What is a network?3. What is Active Directory?4. What is TCP/IP and what does it stand for?5. What is a default gateway?6. What does DHCP stand for?7. What is an IP Address?8. What is the significance of the IP address 255.255.255.255?9. What are the 3 major classes of an IP network?10. What is a Class D IP address?11. What is OSPF?12. A user is complaining of delays when using the network. What would you do?

Network Administrator PositionsSome of these questions may also be included in the previous category for Help Desk Technician positions. In either case, they’re worth preparing for.13. What is the difference between layer 2 and layer 3 in the OSI model?14. What is the difference between a hub, switch, and router?15. What is a VLAN?16. What is the difference between TCP and UDP?17. How do you distinguish a DNS problem from a network problem?18. What are a runt, Giant, and collision?19. What is a broadcast storm?

20. What is the purpose of VRRP?21. What is a VPN?22. What is a default route?23. How do you set a default route on an IOS Cisco router?24. What is a metric?25. What is a MAC address?26. What is ARP/RARP?27. Describe a TCP connection sequence.28. What is MTU?29. What other TCP setting can you modify besides MTU to shorten packets?

System Administration PositionHere are a few more questions that are a little bit more difficult. System Admins should know all these answers by heart in addition to the Network Administrator questions.30. What is the difference between layer 2 and layer 3 devices?31. What is the subnet for a class C network?32. Have you configured a NIS server/client before? If so, describe what you did.33. Have your configured a NFS server?34. What are RAID 1 and RAID 5?35. What are the required components of Windows Server 2003 for installing Exchange 2003?36. What must be done to an AD forest before Exchange can be deployed?37. What Exchange process is responsible for communication with AD?38. What connector type would you use to connect to the Internet, and what are the two methods of sending mail over that connector?39. How would you optimize Exchange 2003 memory usage on Windows Server 2003 with more than 1Gb of memory?40. What are the standard port numbers for SMTP, POP3, IMAP4, RPC, LDAP and Global Catalog?41. Name the process names for the following: System Attendant, Information Store, SMTP/POP/IMAP/OWA.42. What is the maximum amount of databases that can be hosted on Exchange 2003 Enterprise?43. What are the disadvantages of circular logging?44. >What is Active Directory schema?45. What are the domain functional levels in Windows Server 2003?46. What is the default domain functional level in Windows Server 2003?47. What are the forest functional levels in Windows Server 2003?48. What is a global catalog server?49. How can we raise domain functional and forest functional levels in Windows Server 2003?50. What is the default protocol used in directory services?51. What is IPv6?52. What are the physical & logical components of ADS?53. In which domain functional level, we can rename a domain name?54. What is multimaster replication?55. What is a site?56. Which is the command used to remove active directory from a domain controller?57. What is the file that’s responsible for keeping all Active Directory databases?

General HR Questions

These general questions can be the toughest ones to get through. They might sound easy, but they require a lot of thought and preparation. I would suggest writing down your answers first, then reading them over a few times so that you’re comfortable in answering them.Some of these questions are very tricky and can get you in trouble. So if you run into problems finding a good answer, 58. Tell us a little bit about yourself.59. What are your greatest strengths?60. What are your greatest weaknesses?61. What do you like about your current job or what did you like about your last job?62. Give us an example of when you handled a stressful situation.62. Give us an example of one of the toughest problems you had to face, and how did you deal with it?63. Why do you think you should get this position?64. Do you think you are the best person for this job? If so, why?65. Why did you apply for this position?66. Why did you apply for a position with our company and what do you know about us?67. Why should we hire you?68. Tell us about your short and long term goals?69. Where do you see yourself five years from now?70. Please explain, what does customer service mean to you?71. What does being a team player mean to you?72. Give us an example of how you handled a conflict with another employee?73. What are your salary expectations?74. What would you consider your most important accomplishment?75. How would you define success?76. At your last review, what improvements did your manager suggest you make?77. What would your coworkers say about you?I hope these are helpful! As I mentioned above, feel free to post your own interview questions in the comments below.

>Where are the Windows NT Primary Domain Controller (PDC) and its Backup Domain Controller (BDC) in Server 2003?The Active Directory replaces them. Now all domain controllers share a multimaster peer-to-peer read and write relationship that hosts copies of the Active Directory.

>What is Global Catalog?The Global Catalog authenticates network user logons and fields inquiries about objects across a forest or tree. Every domain has at least one GC that is hosted on a domain controller. In Windows 2000, there was typically one GC on every site in order to prevent user logon failures across the network.

>How long does it take for security changes to be replicated among the domain controllers?Security-related modifications are replicated within a site immediately. These changes include account and individual user lockout policies, changes to password policies, changes to computer account passwords, and modifications to the Local Security Authority (LSA).

>When should you create a forest?Organizations that operate on radically different bases may require separate trees with distinct namespaces. Unique trade or brand names often give rise to separate DNS identities. Organizations merge or are acquired and naming continuity is desired. Organizations form partnerships and joint ventures. While access to common resources is desired, a separately defined tree can enforce more direct administrative and security restrictions.

>Describe the process of working with an external domain name ?If it is not possible for you to configure your internal domain as a subdomain of your external domain, use a stand-alone internal domain. This way, your internal and external domain names are unrelated. For example, an organization that uses the domain name contoso.com for their external namespace uses the name corp.internal for their internal namespace.

The advantage to this approach is that it provides you with a unique internal domain name. The disadvantage is that this configuration requires you to manage two separate namespaces. Also, using a stand-alone internal domain that is unrelated to your external domain might create confusion for users because the namespaces do not reflect a relationship between resources within and outside of your network.

In addition, you might have to register two DNS names with an Internet name authority if you want to make the internal domain publicly accessible.

>How do you view all the GCs in the forest?

C:\>repadmin /showrepsdomain_controller

ORYou can use Replmon.exe for the same purpose.ORAD Sites and Services and nslookup gc._msdcs.

To find the in GC from the command line you can try using DSQUERY command.dsquery server -isgc to find all the GC’s in the forestyou can try dsquery server -forest -isgc.

> What are the physical components of Active Directory ?

Domain controllers and Sites. Domain controllers are physical computers which is running Windows Server operating system and Active Directory data base. Sites are a network segment based on geographical location and which contains multiple domain controllers in each site.

> What are the logical components of Active Directory ?

Domains, Organizational Units, trees and forests are logical components of Active Directory.

> What are the Active Directory Partitions ?

Active Directory database is divided into different partitions such as Schema partition, Domain partition, and Configuration partition. Apart from these partitions, we can create Application partition based on the requirement.

> What is group nesting ?

Adding one group as a member of another group is called 'group nesting'. This will help for easy administration and reduced replication traffic.

> What is the feature of Domain Local Group ?

Domain local groups are mainly used for granting access to network resources.A Domain local group can contain accounts from any domain, global groups from any domain and universal groups from any domain. For example, if you want to grant permission to a printer located at Domain A, to 10 users from Domain B, then create a Global group in Domain B and add all 10 users into that Global group. Then, create a Domain local group at Domain A, and add Global group of Domain B to Domain local group of Domain A, then, add Domain local group of Domain A to the printer(of Domain A) security ACL.

>How will you take Active Directory backup ?

Active Directory is backed up along with System State data. System state data includes Local registry, COM+, Boot files, NTDS.DIT and SYSVOL folder. System state can be backed up either using Microsoft's default NTBACKUP tool or third party tools such as Symantech NetBackup, IBM Tivoli Storage Manager etc.

> What is Lost and Found Container ?

In multimaster replication method, replication conflicts can happen. Objects with replication conflicts will be stored in a container called 'Lost and Found' container. This container also used to store orphaned user accounts and other objects.

> Do we use clustering in Active Directory ? Why ?

No one installs Active Directory in a cluster. There is no need of clustering a domain controller. Because Active Directory provides total redundancy with two or more servers.

> What is Active Directory Recycle Bin ?

Active Directory Recycle bin is  a feature of Windows Server 2008 AD. It helps to restore accidentally deleted Active Directory objects without using a backed up AD database, rebooting domain controller or restarting any services.

> What is RODC ? Why do we configure RODC ?

Read only domain controller (RODC) is a feature of Windows Server 2008 Operating System. RODC is a read only copy of Active Directory database and it can be deployed in a remote branch office where physical security cannot be guaranteed. RODC provides more improved security and faster log on time for the branch office.

> How do you check currently forest and domain functional levels? Say both GUI and Command line.

To find out forest and domain functional levels in GUI mode, open ADUC, right click on the domain name and take properties. Both domain and forest functional levels will be listed there. TO find out forest and domain functional levels, you can use DSQUERY command.

> Which version of Kerberos is used for Windows 2000/2003 and 2008 Active Directory ?

All versions of Windows Server Active Directory use Kerberos 5.

> Name few port numbers related to Active Directory ?

Kerberos 88, LDAP 389, DNS 53, SMB 445

> What is an FQDN ?

FQDN can be expanded as Fully Qualified Domain Name.It is a hierarchy of a domain name system which points to a device in the domain at its left most end. For example in system.

> Have you heard of ADAC ?

ADAC- Active Directory Administrative Center is a new GUI tool came with Windows Server 2008 R2, which provides enhanced data management experience to the admin. ADAC helps administrators to perform common Active Directory object management task across multiple domains with the same ADAC instance.

> How many objects can be created in Active Directory? (both 2003 and 2008)

As per Microsoft, a single AD domain controller can create around 2.15 billion objects during its lifetime.

> explain the process between a user providing his Domain credential to his workstation and the desktop being loaded? Or how the AD authentication works ?

When a user enters a user name and password, the computer sends the user name to the KDC. The KDC contains a master database of unique long term keys for every principal in its realm. The KDC looks up the user's master key (KA), which is based on the user's password. The KDC then creates two items: a session key (SA) to share with the user and a Ticket-Granting Ticket (TGT). The TGT includes a second copy of the SA, the user name, and an expiration time. The KDC encrypts this ticket by using its own master key (KKDC), which only the KDC knows. The

client computer receives the information from the KDC and runs the user's password through a one-way hashing function, which converts the password into the user's KA. The client computer now has a session key and a TGT so that it can securely communicate with the KDC. The client is now authenticated to the domain and is ready to access other resources in the domain by using the Kerberos protocol.

> What Is Urgent Replication And When Is It Used ?

You probably know how Active Directory core replication works. When there’s an object changed, the source DC, the one that serviced the change request, notifies it’s direct replication neighbours that there was a change to some object. The neighbors then start the replication process by requesting the changes made since the last replication.

Important to know is, that there is a “notification delay” between the actual change to the objects in the directory and the notification sent to the replication partners. Server 2003 DCs wait 15 seconds before they fire out the change notification. This delay is there to only send one change notification once the change transaction to the object is done. If there are multiple changes made to an object, let’s say the phone number, the home town and the employeeID of a user and the changes were made in 1 second delay each, we only send one change notification for those three changes. If there was no notification delay and we waited a second between the changes to a user’s attributes, the source DC were sending three change notifications to its partners. Too much traffic there! Note that the default change notificaction delay in Windows 2000 was 5 minutes (the numbers may differ depending on installation type (upgrade from 2000 to 2003, forest functional level, …).

Given that fact, one can think of several scenarios which may lead to “problem” since the change to the directory is not replicated right away: user Password changes, user lockout, Password Policy changed,…

For this reason, there’s urgent replication. Urgent replication works in the same way “normal” replication does, but has no notification delay of a few seconds/minutes. That makes “urgent” changes that need to be distributed thrughout the sites and DCs to get more quickly to all edges. Urgent replication takes place in the following cases:

The Password Policy or account lockout policy of a domain has changed The LSA secret has changed (that’s used for the “secure channels” between machines and

DCs and trusts) a user or computer is locked out due to a failed logon attempt (in this case, the urgent

replication is used to notify the DC with the PDC emulator role first and then to all others)

the RID master has changed

So — if one of the mentioned events take place, urgent replication takes place and there’s no notification delay prior to change notification of neighbour DCs.

 

> Which FSMO role directly impacting the consistency of Group Policy ?

PDC Emulator.

> I want to promote a new additional Domain Controller in an existing domain. Which are the groups I should be a member of ?

You should be a member of Enterprise Admins group or the Domain Admins group. Also you should be member of local Administrators group of the member server which you are going to promote as additional Domain Controller.

> Tell me one easiest way to check all the 5 FSMO roles ?

Use netdom query /domain:YourDomain FSMO command. It will list all the FSMO role handling domain controllers.