20+ Active Directory Administrator Interview Questions and Answers

Authentication in login process involves verifying user credentials against Active Directory database.

• User enters username and password

• Credentials are sent to domain controller

• Domain controller checks if user exists in AD database

• If user exists, domain controller checks if password is correct

• If password is correct, domain controller sends confirmation to user's computer

• User is granted access to resources based on their permissions in AD

I will manage Microsoft Exchange Server for Mail Management by configuring mailboxes, setting up distribution groups, monitoring email traffic, and troubleshooting any issues.

• Configure mailboxes for users and groups

• Set up distribution groups for efficient communication

• Monitor email traffic for performance and security

• Troubleshoot any email-related issues

• Implement security measures to protect email data

SQL servers can be used for efficient data storage by optimizing database design, indexing, and query performance.

• Optimize database design by normalizing tables and reducing redundancy

• Use appropriate data types and constraints to ensure data integrity

• Implement indexing on frequently queried columns for faster data retrieval

• Regularly monitor and optimize query performance to improve efficiency

• Consider partitioning large tables to improve manageability and performance

Migrating Active Directory Forests involves planning, preparing, and executing a series of steps to ensure a smooth transition.

• Plan the migration process by assessing the current environment and determining the target state

• Prepare by creating a detailed migration plan, setting up trust relationships between forests, and ensuring data integrity

• Execute the migration by transferring FSMO roles, migrating users, groups, and computers, updating DNS records, and testing the new env...read more

WMI filtering is used to apply Group Policy based on system attributes, while Security filtering is used to apply Group Policy based on user or group membership.

• WMI filtering applies Group Policy based on system attributes like OS version, RAM, etc.

• Security filtering applies Group Policy based on user or group membership.

• AD replication works by transferring changes from one domain controller to another.

• AD replication uses ports 389 (LDAP), 636 (LDAPS), 3268 (Global Catalog), ...read more

Replication issues can be fixed by identifying the root cause and resolving it.

• Check the replication status using tools like Repadmin and Event Viewer

• Identify the root cause such as network connectivity, DNS issues, or AD database corruption

• Resolve the issue by fixing the root cause, forcing replication, or resetting the replication topology

• Monitor the replication status to ensure the issue is resolved

KCC stands for Knowledge Consistency Checker and is used in Active Directory to ensure replication consistency.

• KCC is a built-in process in Active Directory that runs on all domain controllers.

• It is responsible for creating and maintaining the replication topology.

• KCC ensures that all domain controllers have a consistent view of the Active Directory database.

• It also creates and maintains the replication connections between domain controllers.

• KCC runs automatically and does no...read more

AD replication is the process of copying changes made to Active Directory objects from one domain controller to another.

• Monitor replication status using tools like Repadmin or Active Directory Sites and Services

• Check event logs for replication errors

• Ensure proper network connectivity between domain controllers

• Verify DNS settings for correct replication

• Use tools like DCDiag to diagnose and troubleshoot replication issues

Fine Grained policy is a feature in Active Directory that allows for more granular control over permissions and settings.

• Fine Grained policy allows administrators to define specific permissions and settings for individual objects or groups within Active Directory.

• It provides more flexibility and control compared to the traditional Group Policy Objects (GPOs).

• Fine Grained policy can be used to apply different password policies, account lockout policies, or other security setti...read more

Troubleshooting MFA issues on Azure Active Directory

• Check if the user is enrolled in MFA

• Verify if the correct verification method is being used

• Ensure that the user's device is connected to the internet

• Check for any service outages or disruptions on Azure AD

• Review the MFA logs for any error messages

A lingering object is an object that has been deleted in Active Directory but still exists in the database.

• Lingering objects can cause replication issues in Active Directory.

• They can be removed using tools like Repadmin or PowerShell commands.

• Examples include deleted user accounts or computer objects that still appear in the directory.

Group Policy setup involves configuring settings for users and computers in Active Directory, while troubleshooting identifies issues.

• Understand the Group Policy Object (GPO) structure: GPOs can be linked to sites, domains, or organizational units (OUs).

• Use the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) to create, edit, and link GPOs effectively.

• Utilize the 'gpresult' command to check applied policies and troubleshoot issues: e.g., 'gpresult /h report.html' for a detailed report....read more

Group policies are configurations applied to users and computers in an Active Directory environment to enforce security settings, manage resources, and control user experience.

• Group policies are used to centrally manage settings for users and computers in an Active Directory environment

• They can enforce security settings, manage resources, and control user experience

• Group policies are created and managed using the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC)

• Examples of group policy ...read more

Active Directory is a directory service developed by Microsoft for Windows domain networks.

• Centralized database for managing network resources

• Stores information about users, computers, groups, etc.

• Allows for authentication and authorization for network resources

Kerberos is a network authentication protocol that uses tickets for secure communication between clients and services.

• Ensure time synchronization between clients and servers; Kerberos is sensitive to time discrepancies.

• Check the Service Principal Names (SPNs) for correct registration; use 'setspn -L <account>' to list SPNs.

• Verify the Key Distribution Center (KDC) is reachable; use 'ping' or 'nslookup' to check connectivity.

• Use 'klist' to view cached Kerberos tickets and ensur...read more

Sysvol is a shared folder on a Windows domain controller that stores Group Policy settings and scripts.

• Sysvol stands for System Volume.

• It is automatically created when a server is promoted to a domain controller.

• It contains policies, scripts, and other important data for Active Directory.

• Sysvol replication ensures that all domain controllers in a domain have consistent policies and scripts.

DNS translates domain names to IP addresses to locate resources on the internet.

• DNS resolves domain names to IP addresses through a series of queries and responses

• DNS operates on a hierarchical system with root servers, top-level domain servers, authoritative servers, and caching servers

• DNS uses different record types like A, CNAME, MX, and PTR to map domain names to IP addresses

• DNS queries can be recursive or iterative, depending on the resolver's capabilities