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Based on my experience of working with Windows Server and interviewing candidates, I have put this Windows Server 2016 interview questions and answers.
The questions are grouped into these categories:
- Installation and Configuration
- Active Directory
- Windows Server 2016 Roles
- Fixing Common Windows Server 2016 Errors
1. Installation and Configuration Interview Questions
Question 1: What are the minimum installation requirements for Windows Server 2016
Minimum Processor requirements:
- 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor
- Compatible with x64 instruction set
- Supports NX and DEP
- Supports CMPXCHG16b, LAHF/SAHF, and PrefetchW
- Required to support Second Level Address Translation (EPT or NPT)
Minimum Memory requirements:
- 512 MB (2 GB for Server with Desktop Experience installation option)
- ECC (Error Correcting Code) type or similar technology
Minimum Disk requirements:
32 GB disk space
Minimum Network adapter requirements:
- An Ethernet adapter capable of at least gigabit throughput
- Compliant with the PCI Express architecture specification.
- Supports Pre-boot Execution Environment (PXE).
Question 2:
You currently have a Dell Server with 32-bits Processor. All other installation requirements have been met. Can you install Windows Server 2016 on this hardware? Explain.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteNo, you cannot. All editions of Windows Server 2016 are 64-bit only. Server 2016 DOES NOT come in 32-bits editions.
#1 Best Overall
Question 3:
List the Editions of Windows Server 2016.
Windows Server 2016 Essentials, Standard and Datacenter.
2. Active Directory Interview Questions
Question 4: Name 2 tools you can use to install Active Directory Role.
Server Manager: Add Roles and Features AND Windows PowerShell
Question 5: Name 1 Server 2016 role that is required to install and Configure Active Directory
Rank #2
DNS. A Domain Name Server is required for Active Directory to function.
Question 6: You plan to install Active Directory in Windows Server 2016. The environment does not have a Windows DNS but has a Linux Server that provides DNS Services. What specific requirements MUST the DNS server meet to support Active Directory?
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →For a DNS server to support Active Directory, the server must support the service (SRV) resource record type. Also, it must support dynamic updates protocol.
Question 7: Name the 5 Flexible Single Master Operations (FSMO) Roles?
Schema Master, Domain Naming Master, RID Master, PDC Emulator Master and Infrastructure Master.
3. Windows Server Roles Interview Questions
Question 8: You manage a Server 2016 infrastructure. At the moment all client computers connect to the internet to download and install updates. What Server 2016 role can you install to centrally download and patch client computers?
Windows Server Update Service (WSUS).
Question 9: All client computers in your current environment are Windows 7. Your manager have asked you to deploy a FREE Windows Server role that will help automate the upgrade of Windows 7 to Windows 10.
Install Windows Deployment Services (WDS).
Question 10: What Server 2016 role can you install to set it up as a router?
4. Interview Questions About Common Errors
Question 11: You installed a Windows update on a server. When the server rebooted, it stuck at Updating your computer screen. It has been stuck for 5 hours. You have rebooted it several times but it is till stuck. How can you roll back the update?
Boot the server to recovery environment. Then uninstall the update. If the server has an existing system state backup you may also rollback to that backup – from recovery environment select System Image Recovery.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #4
Question 12: How can you create system state backup in Server 2016? Your answer should require using a Windows Server tool.
Install Windows Server Backup (WSB). Then Create System Image Server 2016 Backup using WSB
Question 13: One of the servers you manager rebooted and is now displaying “your PC ran into a problem and need to restart”. Several restarts have not fixed the problem. To boot to recovery mode you start the server and press F8 but the server did not respond to F8. How will you boot the server to recovery environment?
Interrupt the server boot 2 consecutive times. At the 3rd boot the server will boot to recovery.
Question 14: Name 2 Windows commands that can fix corrupt Windows OS files?
Best Value
DISM and SFC
Question 15: What is the difference between DISM /Online abd DISM /Image commands?
DISM /online targets the running operating system while DISM /Image switch specifies the path to the root directory of an offline Windows image.
To read more click The Difference Between DISM /Online and DISM /Image Commands.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Conclusion
The Windows Server 2016 interview questions in this guide are by no means exhaustive. But it pretty much covers the most important aspects of Server 2016 that all Windows Admins should know.
Hence, if you found it helpful and wish to ask additional questions, kindly post them using the “Leave a Comment” form below. Alternatively, let us know your thoughts about the article by responding to the “Was this page helpful?” question below.
For more Windows Server 2016 guides visit our Windows Server How Tos page.
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