300+ System Administrator Interview Questions and Answers

RJ45 and RJ11 connectors are types of connectors used in networking and telecommunications.

• RJ45 connectors are used for Ethernet connections and have 8 pins.

• RJ11 connectors are used for telephone connections and have 6 pins.

• RJ45 connectors are larger in size compared to RJ11 connectors.

• RJ45 connectors are commonly used in home and office networks.

• RJ11 connectors are commonly used for landline telephones and DSL connections.

Netcool architecture is a system used for event management and monitoring. It consists of several components that work together to process and analyze data.

• Netcool is a software suite developed by IBM for event management and monitoring.

• The architecture includes various components such as probes, gateways, and databases.

• Probes collect event data from different sources and send it to the Netcool system.

• Gateways receive event data from probes and perform data normalization and ...read more

Creating group policies and user accounts involves defining settings and permissions for groups and individuals.

• Access Group Policy Management console

• Create new Group Policy Object (GPO)

• Define settings and permissions within GPO

• Link GPO to specific organizational units (OU)

• Create user accounts in Active Directory Users and Computers console

• Assign user accounts to appropriate groups for access control

vSAN is a software-defined storage solution, vSphere is a virtualization platform, vCenter Server is a centralized management tool, and vRops is a performance monitoring tool.

• vSAN is used to create a shared storage pool from local storage devices

• vSphere allows multiple virtual machines to run on a single physical machine

• vCenter Server provides a centralized management interface for vSphere

• vRops monitors the performance and health of virtualized environments

Permissions applied on types determine the level of access and actions that can be performed on them.

• Permissions can be applied to various types such as files, folders, databases, etc.

• Examples of permissions include read, write, execute, delete, modify, etc.

• Permissions can be granted to individual users or groups of users.

• Permissions can be inherited from parent objects or explicitly set on individual objects.

Questions related to DNS, DHCP, server installation, printer and license configuration, and Windows basics for a System Administrator role.

• DNS: Domain Name System translates domain names to IP addresses.

• DHCP: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol assigns IP addresses to devices on a network.

• Server installation: Different types of server installations include file servers, web servers, database servers, etc.

• Printer configuration: Install printer drivers, connect printer to netwo...read more

Windows update not updating issue can be resolved by checking for updates, restarting the computer, running troubleshooter, and resetting Windows update components.

• Check for updates manually

• Restart the computer

• Run Windows update troubleshooter

• Reset Windows update components

Check network connection, restart Outlook, check email account settings.

• Ensure network connection is stable and working

• Restart Outlook and try again

• Check email account settings, including server name and port numbers

• Check for any updates or patches for Outlook

• Disable any antivirus or firewall temporarily to see if it's causing the issue

Virtualization is the creation of a virtual version of something, such as an operating system, a server, a storage device, or network resources.

• Virtualization allows multiple operating systems to run on a single physical machine

• It enables better utilization of hardware resources

• Examples include VMware, Hyper-V, VirtualBox, and KVM

• Virtualization can be used for server consolidation, testing and development, disaster recovery, and cloud computing

I will try to identify the cause of the hang and take appropriate action to resolve it.

• Check if the VM is responding to pings or console access

• Check the VM's resource utilization and logs for any errors

• Try to gracefully shut down the VM using the hypervisor's management tools

• If graceful shutdown fails, force power off the VM and restart it

• Investigate the cause of the hang and take steps to prevent it from happening again

I will immediately check the server and website logs to identify the issue and take necessary actions to resolve it.

• Check server and website logs

• Identify the issue

• Take necessary actions to resolve it

• Communicate with the client about the status and progress of the issue

• Ensure preventive measures are in place to avoid similar issues in the future

To check the current path/directory, use the 'pwd' command in Unix/Linux or 'cd' command in Windows.

• In Unix/Linux, type 'pwd' and press Enter

• In Windows, type 'cd' and press Enter

Our organization follows a standardized patching procedure to ensure security and stability.

• We schedule regular patching windows to minimize disruption to users.

• We prioritize critical patches and test them in a non-production environment before deploying.

• We document all patches applied and maintain a record of patch history.

• We monitor systems for any issues or errors after patching.

• We have a rollback plan in case of any unforeseen issues.

• We communicate with stakeholders about...read more

VMware ESXi is a type-1 hypervisor used for virtualization.

• ESXi is a bare-metal hypervisor that runs directly on server hardware.

• It allows multiple virtual machines to run on a single physical server.

• ESXi is a popular choice for enterprise-level virtualization.

• Other types of hypervisors include type-2 hypervisors like VirtualBox and VMware Workstation.

• Another type of hypervisor is the container hypervisor, which is used for containerization.

To check which service is running on a server, you can use various commands and tools.

• Use the 'service' command followed by 'status' and the service name to check if a specific service is running.

• Use the 'ps' command to list all running processes and filter by service name or process ID.

• Use the 'netstat' command to view active network connections and associated services.

• Use the 'systemctl' command to check the status of services managed by systemd.

• Use the 'top' command to mon...read more

Data backup can be taken using various methods such as cloud storage, external hard drives, and network-attached storage (NAS).

• Cloud storage: Use services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3 to store data remotely.

• External hard drives: Connect an external hard drive to the system and copy the data onto it.

• Network-attached storage (NAS): Set up a dedicated storage device on the network to backup data from multiple systems.

• Backup software: Utilize specialized backup softwa...read more

Accessing firewall outside policy can be done through VPN or remote access.

• Use a VPN to access the firewall outside policy

• Set up remote access to the firewall

• Configure the firewall to allow access from specific IP addresses

• Use a jump server to access the firewall

• Use a console cable to connect directly to the firewall

A System Administrator can manage Https sites by configuring and maintaining the necessary security protocols and certificates.

• A System Administrator should have knowledge of SSL/TLS protocols and certificates.

• They should be able to configure web servers to support Https.

• They should regularly update and renew SSL certificates.

• They should monitor and troubleshoot any issues related to Https connections.

• They should ensure proper encryption and security measures are in place.

• Exa...read more

Computer problems can be found by troubleshooting hardware, software, network, and security issues.

• Check for error messages and logs

• Test hardware components such as RAM, hard drive, and CPU

• Scan for viruses and malware

• Check network connectivity and settings

• Update software and drivers

• Consult user for any recent changes or issues

I prioritize tasks based on urgency, utilize communication tools, and delegate responsibilities when necessary.

• Prioritize tasks based on urgency to ensure critical issues are addressed first

• Utilize communication tools such as email, chat, or ticketing systems to keep track of interactions

• Delegate responsibilities to team members when necessary to handle multiple users simultaneously

Best practices for optimizing a Linux server include regular updates, monitoring performance, optimizing disk usage, and securing the server.

• Regularly update the server's software and packages to ensure security and performance improvements.

• Monitor server performance using tools like top, htop, or sar to identify bottlenecks and optimize resource usage.

• Optimize disk usage by removing unnecessary files, using disk quotas, and implementing a backup strategy.

• Secure the server by...read more

Key responsibilities in Linux administration include managing user accounts, installing and updating software, monitoring system performance, and ensuring security.

• Managing user accounts and permissions

• Installing, configuring, and updating software packages

• Monitoring system performance and troubleshooting issues

• Ensuring system security by implementing firewalls, encryption, and regular updates

I would troubleshoot the issue by checking network connections, restarting the router, and contacting the Internet service provider if necessary.

• Check network connections to ensure all cables are properly connected

• Restart the router to see if that resolves the issue

• Contact the Internet service provider to report the outage and get assistance

There are mainly three types of computer networks: LAN, WAN, and MAN.

• Local Area Network (LAN) - connects devices within a limited area like a home, office, or school.

• Wide Area Network (WAN) - spans over a large geographical area, connecting multiple LANs.

• Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) - covers a city or large campus area, providing connectivity between LANs.

Types of servers include rack, tower, and blade servers.

• Rack servers are designed to be mounted in a rack enclosure and are commonly used in data centers.

• Tower servers are standalone units that resemble a desktop computer and are suitable for small businesses or remote offices.

• Blade servers are compact units that fit into a chassis and share power, cooling, and networking resources.

• Other types of servers include microservers, mainframes, and virtual servers.

To rebuild initramfs file, use the 'mkinitramfs' command with appropriate options.

• Use 'mkinitramfs' command with appropriate options to rebuild initramfs file.

• The command can be used to create a new initramfs file or update an existing one.

• Options like '-o' can be used to specify the output file name.

• The '-k' option can be used to specify the kernel version for which the initramfs file is being built.

• Example: sudo mkinitramfs -o /boot/initrd.img-4.15.0-20-generic 4.15.0-20-ge...read more

Check network connectivity, firewall settings, and server status.

• Ping the server from another device to confirm network connectivity.

• Check firewall settings to ensure the server is not being blocked.

• Check server status to ensure it is powered on and functioning properly.

• Check network cables and switches for any issues.

• Try accessing the server remotely using remote desktop or SSH.

• Check system logs for any errors or warnings related to the server.

• Restart the server if necessary...read more

C++ is a programming language that is an extension of the C language, with added features like object-oriented programming.

• C++ is an extension of the C programming language, with added features like classes, inheritance, and polymorphism.

• C++ supports object-oriented programming, while C does not.

• C++ allows for function overloading, while C does not.

• C++ has a more extensive standard library compared to C.

• C++ is considered a superset of C, meaning that C code can be compiled in...read more

To check the computer name or hostname in Linux, you can use the 'hostname' command.

• Use the 'hostname' command to display the current hostname of the system.

• To change the hostname, use the 'hostnamectl set-hostname' command followed by the new hostname.

• To view the fully qualified domain name (FQDN), use the 'hostname -f' command.

The questions are related to server administration and RAID technology.

• There are various flavors of servers such as web servers, database servers, mail servers, etc.

• AD stands for Active Directory, a directory service developed by Microsoft.

• There are three types of AD policies: Local, Site, and Domain.

• Windows SR Key is stored in the registry under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DigitalProductId.

• RAID stands for Redundant Array of Independent Dis...read more

IP address is a unique numerical identifier assigned to devices connected to a network.

• IP stands for Internet Protocol

• It consists of a series of numbers separated by dots

• It is used to identify devices on a network and facilitate communication

• There are two types of IP addresses - IPv4 and IPv6

• IPv4 addresses are 32-bit and IPv6 addresses are 128-bit

The latest version of Windows 10 is version 21H1.

• Version 21H1 was released in May 2021.

• It includes new features such as Windows Hello multicamera support and improvements to Windows Defender Application Guard.

• It also includes security updates and bug fixes.

FSMO stands for Flexible Single Master Operations. They are specialized roles in Active Directory that handle specific tasks.

• There are 5 FSMO roles: Schema Master, Domain Naming Master, RID Master, PDC Emulator, and Infrastructure Master.

• Each FSMO role is responsible for a specific aspect of the Active Directory environment.

• For example, the PDC Emulator role handles password changes and time synchronization within a domain.

To troubleshoot a server not able to login, check network connectivity, verify credentials, and review system logs.

• Check network connectivity to ensure the server is reachable

• Verify the correctness of login credentials

• Review system logs for any error messages or indications of login failures

• Restart the server if necessary

• Check for any recent system updates or changes that may have caused the login issue

To troubleshoot a user not able to login, check for account lockouts, password issues, network connectivity, and system errors.

• Check if the user's account is locked or disabled

• Verify if the user's password has expired or needs to be reset

• Ensure network connectivity is working properly

• Check for any system errors or issues that may prevent login

• Review system logs for any relevant error messages

• Confirm if the user is using the correct login credentials

Windows Server 2019 has improved security features, better performance, and enhanced hybrid cloud integration compared to Windows Server 2016.

• Windows Server 2019 has improved security features such as Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) and Shielded Virtual Machines.

• Windows Server 2019 offers better performance with support for up to 48TB of RAM and 256 logical processors.

• Windows Server 2019 has enhanced hybrid cloud integration with Azure, including Azure Backu...read more

Use Group Policy to deploy printer to multiple computers simultaneously.

• Create a shared printer on the network

• Create a Group Policy Object (GPO) in Active Directory

• Under Computer Configuration, go to Policies > Windows Settings > Deployed Printers

• Add the shared printer and configure any necessary settings

• Link the GPO to the appropriate Organizational Unit (OU) containing the computers

• Restart the computers or run gpupdate /force to apply the GPO

I will check for any hardware or software changes and try to boot in safe mode.

• Check for any recent hardware or software changes

• Try to boot in safe mode

• Check for any error messages on the blue screen

• If possible, try to restore the system to a previous working state

• If all else fails, seek assistance from a higher-level support team

I have extensive technical knowledge in Linux and Networking, including experience with system administration, network configuration, and troubleshooting.

• Proficient in Linux operating systems such as Ubuntu, CentOS, and Red Hat

• Experience with network protocols such as TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, and VPN

• Skilled in configuring routers, switches, firewalls, and other network devices

• Knowledge of security practices and tools for securing networks and systems

• Familiar with virtualization tec...read more

Load balancing is the process of distributing network traffic across multiple servers to ensure optimal resource utilization and prevent overload.

• Load balancing helps improve performance, reliability, and scalability of servers.

• Common load balancing algorithms include round-robin, least connections, and IP hash.

• Implement load balancing using hardware or software-based solutions like Nginx, HAProxy, or F5 BIG-IP.

• Configure load balancers to distribute incoming traffic evenly am...read more

Yes, I have set up the Exchange server in my previous job.

• I have experience in installing and configuring Exchange server

• I have created and managed user mailboxes

• I have set up email policies and security measures

• I have performed regular maintenance and updates

• I have resolved issues related to Exchange server

• For example, I set up Exchange server 2016 in my previous job and managed it for over 2 years

To create, administer, manage, and remove features on a server, one can use various tools and techniques.

• Use server management software like cPanel, Plesk, or Webmin to create and manage features

• Use command-line tools like PowerShell or Terminal to administer and manage features

• Use virtualization software like VMware or VirtualBox to create and manage virtual servers

• Use configuration management tools like Ansible or Puppet to automate feature management

• Remove features by unin...read more

VMware vSphere is a virtualization platform that provides virtualization, management, resource optimization, and more.

• DRS (Distributed Resource Scheduler) in VMware is a feature that automatically balances computing workloads across a cluster of ESXi hosts.

• High availability in VMware ensures that virtual machines are restarted on another host in case of a host failure.

• Fault Tolerance in VMware provides continuous availability for virtual machines by creating a secondary VM th...read more

DSA stands for Data Structure and Algorithms. It is a way to organize and manipulate data efficiently.

• DSA helps in solving complex problems by providing efficient data organization and manipulation techniques.

• It includes various data structures like arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, etc.

• Algorithms are used to perform operations on these data structures, such as searching, sorting, and traversing.

• In a real-world scenario, DSA can be implemented in various applications like ...read more

Four basic principles of OOPS are encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, and abstraction.

• Encapsulation: bundling of data and methods that manipulate the data within a single unit

• Inheritance: ability of a class to inherit properties and characteristics from a parent class

• Polymorphism: ability of objects to take on multiple forms or have multiple behaviors

• Abstraction: hiding of complex implementation details and providing a simpler interface for the user

To resolve a driver malfunctioning issue, update or reinstall the driver.

• Check for any updates available for the driver

• Uninstall the driver and reinstall it

• Rollback the driver to the previous version

• Check for any hardware issues causing the malfunction

Check Bluetooth settings, restart device, update drivers, reset Bluetooth module

• Check if Bluetooth is turned on and device is discoverable

• Restart the device and try connecting again

• Update Bluetooth drivers

• Reset Bluetooth module by disabling and enabling it