Although technology is changing rapidly and new things coming up

frequently but the fundamentals always remain same, hence one needs to
fully aware the basic things. Following are the main topics which come
under the scope of Windows system administrator:
*Basic concepts of Active Directory.
*FSMO roles in active directory
*Pre-requisite for installation of AD
*Difference between local, global and universal groups
*Knowledge on Group Policy
*Difference between FAT and NTFS on a local machine
*Knowledge on RAIDS
*Knowledge on WINS, DNS and DHCP
*Knowledge on Administration of Antivirus tool.
*Knowledge on Deployment tools
*Troubleshooting of Network problems.
*Exposure to backup Tools, WSUS or SMS.
*Backup and Restoration of AD.
*Pre-requisite for installation of MS Exchange
*Knowledge on Information Store.
*Difference between Incremental and Differential backup and knowledge on System
state and brick level backup
*Deployment through GPO
*Exposure to SMS or SCCM.
*Knowledge on monitoring Tools like MOM or Net cool.
*Knowledge on DC operations
*Knowledge on Citrix or VM ware tools
*Experience on Exchange administration
*Implementation of SMS or System Center tool.
*Up gradation knowledge of Exchange, AD etc
*Design of AD
*Technical Experts on domain
*Knowledge on Implementation of Data Center
*Basic knowledge on networking tools.
*ITIL knowledge

*Implementation on Process improvements.

Here are some questions frequently asked in technical

round:
1. Weve 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 doesnt 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. Whats 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 cant 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?
Its 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.Whats 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.Whats 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 dont, 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 cant. 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 its 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.Whats 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.Wheres ASP cache located on IIS 6.0?
On disk, as opposed to memory, as it used to be in IIS 5.