1) What is Active Directory?

A central component of the Windows platform, Active Directory directory service

provides the means to manage the identities and relationships that make up network
environments. For example we can create, manage and administor users, computers and
printers in the network from active directory.

2) What is DNS? Why it is used? What is "forward lookup" and "reverse lookup"
in DNS? What are A records and mx records?
DNS is domain naming service and is used for resolving names to IP address and IP
addresses to names. The computer understands only numbers while we can easily
remember names. So to make it easier for us what we do is we assign names to computers
and websites. When we use these names (Like yahoo.com) the computer uses DNS to
convert to IP address (number) and it executes our request.
Forward lookup: Converting names to IP address is called forward lookup.
Reverse lookup: Resolving IP address to names is called reverse lookup.
'A' record: Its called host record and it has the mapping of a name to IP address. This is
the record in DNS with the help of which DNS can find out the IP address of a name.
'MX' Record: its called mail exchanger record. Its the record needed to locate the mail
servers in the network. This record is also found in DNS.

3) What id DHCP? Why it is used? What are scopes and super scopes?
DHCP: Dynamic host configuration protocol. Its used to allocate IP addresses to large
number of PCs in a network environment. This makes the IP management very easy.
Scope: Scope contains IP address like subnet mask, gateway IP, DNS server IP and
exclusion range which a client can use to communicate with the other PCs in the network.
Superscope: When we combine two or more scopes together its called super scope.

4) What are the types of LAN cables used? What is a cross cable?
Types of LAN cables that are in use are "Cat 5" and "Cat 6". "Cat 5" can support 100
Mbps of speed and "CAT 6" can support 1Gbps of speed.
Cross cable: Its used to connect same type of devices without using a switch/hub so that
they can communicate.

5) What is the difference between a normal LAN cable and cross cable? What could
be the maximum length of the LAN cable?
The way the paired wires are connected to the connector (RJ45) is different in cross cable
and normal LAN cable.
The theoritical length is 100 meters but after 80 meters you may see drop in speed due to
loss of signal.
6) What would you use to connect two computers without using switches? Cross
cable. 7) What is IPCONFIG command? Why it is used?
IPCONFIG command is used to display the IP information assigned to a computer.
Fromthe output we can find out the IP address, DNS IP address, gateway IP address
assigned to that computer.

8) What is APIPA IP address? Or what IP address is assigned to the computer when

the DHCP server is not available?
When DHCP server is not available the Windows client computer assignes an automatic
IP address to itself so that it can communicate with the network cmputers. This ip address
is called APIPA. ITs in the range of 169.254.X.X.
APIPA stands for Automatic private IP addressing. Its in the range of 169.254.X.X.

9) What is a DOMAIN? What is the difference between a domain and a workgroup?

Domain is created when we install Active Directory. It's a security boundary which is
used to manage computers inside the boundary. Domain can be used to centrally
administor computers and we can govern them using common policies called group
policies.
We can't do the same with workgroup.

10) Do you know how to configure outlook 2000 and outlook 2003 for a user?
Please visit the link below to find out how to configure outlook 2000 and outlook
2003.http://www.it.cmich.edu/quickguides/qg_outlook2003_server.asp

11) What is a PST file and what is the difference between a PST file and OST file?
What file is used by outlook express?
PST file is used to store the mails locally when using outlook 2000 or 2003. OST file is
used when we use outlook in cached exchanged mode. Outlook express useds odb file.

12) What is BSOD? What do you do when you get blue screen in a computer? How
do you troubleshoot it?
BSOD stands for blue screen of Death. when there is a hardware or OS fault due to which
the windows OS can run it give a blue screen with a code. Best way to resolve it is to
boot the computer is "LAst known good configuration". If this doesn't work than boot the
computer in safe mode. If it boots up than the problemis with one of the devices or
drivers.

13) What is RIS? What is Imaging/ghosting?

RIS stands for remote installation services. You save the installed image on a windows
server and then we use RIS to install the configured on in the new hardware. We can use
it to deploy both server and client OS. Imaging or ghosting also does the same job of
capturing an installed image and then install it on a new hardware when there is a need.
We go for RIS or iamging/ghosting because installing OS everytime using a CD can be a
very time consuming task. So to save that time we can go for RIS/Ghosting/imaging.

14) What is VPN and how to configure it?

VPN stands for Virtual private network. VPN is used to connect to the corporate network
to access the resources like mail and files in the LAN. VPN can be configured using the
stepsmentioned in the KB: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/305550

15) Your computer slowly drops out of network. A reboot of the computer fixes the
problem. What to do to resolve this issue?
Update the network card driver.

16) Your system is infected with Virus? How to recover the data?
Install another system. Insall the OS with the lates pathces, Antivirus with latest updates.
Connect the infected HDD as secondary drive in the system. Once done scan and clean
the secondary HDD. Once done copy the files to the new system.

17) How to join a system to the domain? What type of user can add a system to the
domain?
Please visit the article below and read "Adding the Workstation to the Domain"
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/technologies/director
y/activedirectory/stepbystep/domxppro.mspx

18) What is the difference between a switch and a hub?

Switch sends the traffic to the port to which its meant for. Hub sends the traffic to all the
ports.

19) What is a router? Why we use it?

Router is a switch which uses routing protocols to process and send the traffic. It also
receives the traffic and sends it across but it uses the routing protocols to do so.

20) What are manageable and non manageable switches?

Switches which can be administered are calledmanageable switches. For example we can
create VLAN for on such switch. On no manageable swiches we can't do so.

1. What is NIC?
A network card, network adapter or NIC (network interface controller) is a piece
of computer hardware designed to allow computers to communicate over a
computer network

2. What is USB?

Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a serial bus standard to interface devices. Devices
like Modem, Mouse, Keyboard etc can be connected.

3. Dialup vs. Broadband

A broadband connection (ADSL) provides high-speed Internet access over a

standard phone line. The advantage of a broadband connection over a standard
dialup service, is that Broadband is considerably faster, and is "always-on",
meaning that once you"re logged on, your PC is online until the PC is turned off
again.

Broadband offer high-speed Internet access and allows telephone calls and a
permanent Internet connection to share a single phone line simultaneously
whereas in Dialup connection either Internet connection or telephone call can
made at given time.

4. LAN and WAN

A local area network is a computer network covering a small geographic area, like
a home, office, or group of buildings

Wide Area Network (WAN) is a computer network that covers a broad area (i.e.,
any network whose communications links cross metropolitan, regional, or
national boundaries). Or, less formally, a network that uses routers and public
communications links

5. Microsoft Access

Microsoft Office Access, previously known as Microsoft Access, is a relational

database management system from Microsoft.

6. What is RAS?

Remote Access Services (RAS) refers to any combination of hardware and

software to enable the remote access to tools or information that typically reside
on a network of IT devices.

7. Difference between Client Mail and Web Mail?

Email clients download your emails onto your computer. Using a specialized
email program such as Outlook Express or Apple Mail has the advantage of
giving you complete control over your email; every email you receive is placed
on your computer and you can keep as many large file attachments as you want.
Checking your email through our webmail is similar to using Hotmail or Yahoo!
Mail. You never actually copy your messages to your computer; in fact, you are
looking at them through your web browser on somebody else"s computer. When
you are not online, you are not able to see your email.

8. RAM and ROM

random access memory, a type of computer memory that can be accessed

randomly; that is, any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the
preceding bytes. RAM is the most common type of memory found in computers
and other devices, such as printers.

Pronounced rahm, acronym for read-only memory, computer memory on which

data has been prerecorded. Once data has been written onto a ROM chip, it cannot
be removed and can only be read. Unlike main memory (RAM), ROM retains its
contents even when the computer is turned off. ROM is referred to as being
nonvolatile, whereas RAM is volatile.

9. Spamguard

Spam Guard is an Outlook add-in that filters email that arrives in your inbox. If
the sender of any message cannot be identified then the message is moved into a
spam quarantine folder. Messages deposited in the spam quarantine folder can be
inspected and either deleted or approved at your leisure.

10. Firewall and Antivirus

A system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network.
Firewalls can be implemented in both hardware and software, or a combination of
both. Firewalls are frequently used to prevent unauthorized Internet users from
accessing private networks connected to the Internet, especially intranets. All
messages entering or leaving the intranet pass through the firewall, which
examines each message and blocks those that do not meet the specified security
criteria.

Antivirus is a software program which helps protect a computer against being

infected by a virus.

11. DNS

Short for Domain Name System (or Service or Server), an Internet service that
translates domain names into IP addresses. Because domain names are alphabetic,
they"re easier to remember. The Internet however, is really based on IP addresses.
Every time you use a domain name, therefore, a DNS service must translate the
name into the corresponding IP address. For example, the domain name
www.example.com might translate to 198.105.232.4.

12. IPConfig

IPConfig is a command line tool used to control the network connections on

Windows NT/2000/XP machines. There are three main commands: "all",
"release", and "renew". IPConfig displays all current TCP/IP network
configuration values and refreshes Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
and Domain Name System (DNS) settings. Used without parameters, IPConfig
displays the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway for all adapters.

13. Trace route

Trace route is the program that shows you the route over the network between two
systems, listing all the intermediate routers a connection must pass through to get
to its destination. It can help you determine why your connections to a given
server might be poor, and can often help you figure out where exactly the problem
is. It also shows you how systems are connected to each other, letting you see
how your ISP connects to the Internet as well as how the target system is
connected.

Please find the technical questions:

1) What is IP Address ?

2) What are the layers of network ?

3) What are the different types of network ?

4) What is networking ?

5) What is the difference between OSI and TCP/IP Model ?

6) What is TCP/IP ?

7) What is HTTP?

8) What is Protocol ?
 9) What is communication medium ?

10) What is PORT ?

11) What is SOCKET ?

12) What is the difference between PORT and SOCKET?

13) What is wireless networking ?

14) What is topology ?

15) What are the different types of topology ?

16) What is the size of IP Address?

17) What is FTP ?

18) What is SMTP ?

19) What are the different types of protocol ?

20) What is Dial-Up connection ?

21) What is Broad Band Connection?

22) What is the difference between Dial-up and broad band connection?

23) What IEEE standard for wireless networking?

Ans: 802.11g

24) What is IEEE standard ?

Basic information on Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, RAID

DNS:A Domain Naming server is a hierarchical namespace structure designed to provide

host to IP address name resolution and registration.

DNS ZONE TYPE:

Forward lookup zone: resolves names to IP address.
Reverse lookup zone:
resolves IP addresses to Host names.
AD INTEGRATED ZONE
AD–integrated DNS enables AD storage and replication of DNS zone databases.
Windows 2000 & 2003 DNS servers which accommodates storing zone data in AD.
When you configure a computer as a DNS server, zones are usually stored as text files on
name servers — that is, all of the zones required by DNS are stored in a text file on the
server computer. These text files must be synchronized among DNS name servers by
using a system that requires a separate replication topology and schedule called a zone
transfer However, if you use AD integrated DNS you configure a domain controller as a
DNS name server, zone data is stored as an AD object and is replicated as part of domain
replication.
STUB ZONE
A Stub zone is a read only copy of a zone that contains only those resources records
necessary to identify the authoritative DNS servers for the actual zone. A stub zone is
used to keep a parent zone aware of authoritative DNS servers for a delegated zone and
thereby maintain DNS name resolution efficiently. A stub zone is conposed of (A), (NS),
(SOA)
Types of DNS Records: -
A(Host):
Represents a computer or device on the network. 'A'records are the most common and
most used DNS records.
PTR(Pointer):
Used for finding the DNS name that corresponds to an IP address. The PTR is found only
in the reverse lookup zone.
NS(NameServer):
The NS RRs facilitate delegation by identifying DNS servers for each zone. They appear
in all forward and reverse look-up zones.
SOA(Start Of Authority):
The first record in any zone file is a SOA. the SOA identifies a primary DNS name server
for the zone as the best source of information for the data within that zone and as an
entity processing the updates for the zone.
SRV(Service Record):
Indicates a network service offered by a host.- CNAME(Alias):an alias is hostname that
refers to another hostname.
=========================================
DHCP: Is a standard for simplifing management of host IP configuration.
SUPERSCOPE: Superscope is a administrative feature of DHCP server that you can
create and manage through the DHCP console. Using a Superscope you can group
multiple scopes as a single administrative entity.
DHCP Authorize: This procedure is usually only needed if you are running a DHCP
server on a member server. In most cases, if you are installing a DHCP server on a
computer also running as a domain controller, the server is automatically authorized the
first time you add the server to the DHCP console.
SCOPE: DHCP scope is a poole of IP addresses which are offered to DHCP clients.
=========================================
WHAT ARE FSMO ROLES IN ACTIVE DIRECTORY?
Windows 2000 and Windows 2003 Active directory follow the multimaster model. Under
this model there are five roles which which can be held by the DCs (Domian Controllers).

The five roles are given below:

• Schema Master: The schema master domain controller controls all updates and
modifications to the schema. To update the schema of a forest, you must have access to
the schema master. There can be only one schema master in the whole forest.
• Domain naming master: The domain naming master domain controller controls the
addition or removal of domains in the forest. There can be only one domain naming
master in the whole forest.
• Infrastructure Master: The infrastructure is responsible for updating references from
objects in its domain to objects in other domains. At any one time, there can be only one
domain controller acting as the infrastructure master in each domain.
• Relative ID (RID) Master: The RID master is responsible for processing RID pool
requests from all domain controllers in a particular domain. At any one time, there can be
only one domain controller acting as the RID master in the domain.
• PDC Emulator: The PDC emulator is a domain controller that advertises itself as the
primary domain controller (PDC) to workstations, member servers, and domain
controllers that are running earlier versions of Windows. For example, if the domain
contains computers that are not running Microsoft Windows XP Professional or
Microsoft Windows 2000 client software, or if it contains Microsoft Windows NT
backup domain controllers, the PDC emulator master acts as a Windows NT PDC. It is
also the Domain Master Browser, and it handles password discrepancies. At any one
time, there can be only one domain controller acting as the PDC emulator master in each
domain in the forest.

What is replication in active directory?

REPLICATION Replication is a process of sending update information for data that has
changed in the directory to other domain controllers, as a Part of the AD planning an
implementation process.*2000/2003 uses MULTI-MASTER replication for the AD.
Types of UPDATES which force replication: Add, Modify, ModifyDN, delete
USN: Update sequence numbers
GUID: Globally unique identifier

REPLICATION PARTITIONS: Schema Partition: contains object and attribute

definitions. In other words it contains a list of definitions that define what objects and
attributes for those objects can exist in the AD.Configuration partition: contains
information about the physical structure of the AD, such as the sites and domains and
where DC resides in the enterprise. It is replicated to all DC's in the tree or forest.Domain
partition: contains information about all AD objects that are specific to that domain, such
as users, groups and other resources. All domain partition information is completely
replicated to all domain controllers within the domain.

REPLICATION TOPOLOGY
KCC: Knowledge Consistency Checker: It builds the topology for the intrasite
replication between the DCs. It uses only RPC to communicate with the directory service.
Bridgehead server: A point where a replication information leaves or enters a site for
intersite replication.

BENIFITS
• Optimize replication for speed and bandwidth consumption between domain
controllers.• Locate the closest domain controller for client logon, services, and directory
searches.
• Direct a Distributed File System (DFS) client to the server that is hosting the requested
data within the site.
• Replicate the system volume (SYSVOL), a collection of folders in the file system that
exists on each domain controller in a domain and is required for implementation of Group
Policy
=============================================================
What is RAID?
ANS: Redundant Array of Inexpensive disk is a way to increase capaxity, performance
and reliablility.
RAID0: (Striping) Not really RAID as it has no fault tolerance, Data is striped across all
disks, Excelent read/write performance.
RAID1: (Mirroring) Need at least 2 drives, tolerates single drive failure, often used for
OS drive or boot volume.
RAID5: Requires at least 3 drives, data and parity striped across all disks, can tolerate
failure of any one disk without losing data but performance does degrade.

TCP/IP MODEL:
Application Layer
Transport Layer
Internet
Network Interface

OSI MODEL
Application Layer
Presentation layer
Session layer
Transport Layer
Network Layer
Data-link Layer
Physical layer

What is a switch?
A network switch, or bridge, is a specialized device that connects multiple network
segments. It's a more modern and efficient form of the ubiquitous (and outdated) network
hub. A hub, also known as a repeater, is a simple device that has been used for years to
connect all nodes, or computers, on a network to a central location. Each node on a
network has a unique hardware address called a MAC address. A hub is known as a
repeater because when a packet of data, or frame, is sent through the hub, it is repeated to
each and every computer on the network.This means that if a 1 GB video is sent to one
computer through the hub, the file will also be sent to all of the other computers on the
hub. This is very inefficient for bandwidth management. "Hubs have two major
drawbacks," says Ben deGonzague, a deployment engineer with TopCoder Software, a
Glastonbury, Conn.-based software engineering firm. "First, network bandwidth is
consumed as each and every frame is sent to all devices on a network. Second, your
network is only as fast as the slowest device. Hubs have become obsolete with switching-
based networks."A switch-based network is one that utilizes switches instead of hubs. A
switch is a major upgrade to a hub. Instead of sending all network data to each and every
network node, the switch will analyze the MAC address and determine where to send the
data. Network bandwidth is not wasted by sending every frame to every port.So when a
switch receives data for a file, if it was addressed to one computer it will only be sent
there. The other computers on the network wouldn't know about it. This means that the
network is now much more efficient, but it's also a step toward being more secure: "Since
switches can segregate traffic from different nodes," says deGonzague, "this makes it
more difficult for anyone to capture packets on your network.

What is a router?
While switches connect multiple computers, a router is required to connect multiple
networks, like your LAN to the Internet. Routers work by storing large tables of networks
and addresses, then using algorithms to determine the shortest routes to individual
addresses within those networks. In this way efficient routers not only facilitate intra-
network communications, but also play a role in overall network performance. delivering
the information faster.While many consumers are familiar with small routers from
companies like Linksys, which can be purchased for less than $50 at computer hardware
stores, they shouldn't be confused with a proper router for business. "A typical router at
home will connect your cable modem or DSL network to your internal network. This is
just connecting two different networks. Routers for businesses on the other hand might
have to connect several different networks," says deGonzague. Small business routers
from vendors like Cisco often include management software, enabling IT staff to better
manage network stability and, ultimately, performance.
Posted by Chandan Patralekh at 02:18 2 comments

Friday, 25 January 2008

How to Become a Desktop Engineer

Interview Questions
===================

A) Tell me something about yourself.

Tell about your eductaion, place you belong to, some struggle in life which shows that
you have positive attitude and will to fight the odds.
1. What are the types of Operating System ?
2. Give examples of NOS and SOS
3. Difference between FAT and NTFS
4. Enhancements in Windows 2003 from Windows 2000
5. Enhancements in Windows 2003 from Windows NT
6. What is Active Directory ?
7. Types of Firewall
8. Difference between Hardware and Software Firewall
9. Name the seven layers of OSI model
10. How to enable Firewall in Windows XP
11. How to Disable Firewall in Windows XP
12. Minimum System requirement of Windows XP, Vista, 2003 and 2008
13. Explain ping command
14. Explain Cookies
15. How to boot the computer in Safe mode
16. Types of printer
17. Explain Last Known Good Configuration
18. What is Disk clean up, Disk Defragmentation, Device manager and System
Restore
19. USB port Vs Firewire port
20. How to install a printer in Windows XP
21. What is a Browser and name any 5 browsers ?
22. Serial port Vs Parallel port
23. What is a port number ?
24. Where is the HOSTS file located
25. Explain different RAID levels
26. Explain APIPA, IP address and Subnet mask
27. Difference between IP v4 and IP v6
28. How to remove virus from a computer
29. How to make a computer run faster
30. What is attrib command ?
31. What is edit command ?
32. How to copy a file or folder using copy command
33. How to format the hard disk using command line utilities
34. Explain mkdir, rmdir and chdir commands
35. Types of hard disk
36. Difference between primary and secondary partition
37. Types of back in Window OS
38. Differential Backup Vs Incremental Backup Vs Copy backup
39. What is remote desktop.
40. Recovery Console Vs Automated System Recovery
41. What is NTLDR file
42. How to tackle "missing NTLDR file" error
43. How many bytes are there in MAC address
44. Range of Class A IP address
45. Range of Class B IP address
46. Range of Class C IP address
47. Default subnet mask of Class A, Class B and Class C IP address
48. What is BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) and how to overcome it
49. Difference between Preferred DNS and Alternate DNS server
50. Transmission speed of T1 carrier