What should I focus on for a System Administrator interview?
What makes these interviews different?
Windows Server, Active Directory, and troubleshooting stand out. These topics appeared more often in these interviews than across all interviews. So did network administration, end-user support, incident management, and Linux administration. Most questions were mid-level or junior-level.
Start with clear checks: can you explain what the FSMO roles do? Can you describe how you found and fixed a hardware problem? Can you explain how you decide an incident's priority and when to escalate it?
Can I explain how I solved a problem?
A repeated hardware question asked candidates to describe a challenging problem, how they diagnosed it, and what resolved it. Use that structure to check your answer:
- Can you describe the hardware problem clearly?
- Can you explain how you diagnosed it?
- Can you say what resolved it?
Keep the diagnosis separate from the fix so your listener can follow what you did. For incident questions, also check whether you can explain what you would tell the customer and when you would escalate the issue.
Which server and network basics should I check?
Identity and security questions appeared in 31 of 69 interviews. Networking questions appeared in 27 of 69 interviews. Use the questions below to test whether you can explain functions and differences, rather than just name products:
- What are the FSMO roles, and what do they do?
- What is DHCP?
- How do a switch, a router, and a firewall differ?
- How do TCP and UDP differ?
- What is a VPN used for?
For the wider administration topics, can you explain what Group Policy does and how you manage services in Windows and Linux?
Should I spend time on backups and hardware?
Yes. “What is a synthetic full backup?” was the most asked question, appearing in 4 of 69 interviews. Veritas clusters also appeared among the most asked questions.
Can you explain a synthetic full backup and describe Veritas clusters? Can you explain how you would check a restore and how failover works? For hardware, can you explain the difference between an HDD and an SSD, and what a PDU does in a rack?
Do I need to write code?
Code-writing tasks appeared in 2 of 69 interviews. Test yourself against these tasks from the interviews:
- Write a PowerShell script to check for a specific Windows update across a list of servers.
- Find disabled Active Directory users who have not logged in within the past 90 days.
- Write Python code to reverse a string.
What System Administrator interviews cover
The 20 most asked System Administrator questions
Counted by interview, not by mention: a question asked twice in one conversation counts once.
What is a synthetic full backup?
Asked in 4 of 69 interviews · last asked Aug 21 · Concept · Mid-level
Show answer
A synthetic full backup is a new full backup built from an earlier full backup and later incremental backups. The backup system combines stored backup data instead of copying all the data again from the source server. This reduces work on the source server, but still uses backup storage and processing power.
- It provides a full backup for the selected restore point.
- It depends on the earlier full backup and the required incremental backups being available and usable.
- Unlike a traditional full backup, it does not reread all source data.
What the interviewer checks: The interviewer is checking whether you understand how synthetic full backups are built and where they reduce workload.
Other ways it was asked
- “What is synthetic full backup?”
Can you describe a challenging IT hardware troubleshooting situation you faced? What was the problem, how did you diagnose it, and what was the resolution?
Asked in 3 of 69 interviews · last asked Oct 7 · Behavioral · Mid-level
Show answer
Sample answer: "I traced server restarts to a faulty memory module. It happened only under heavy load, and the operating system logs showed no clear cause. I checked hardware logs and found uncorrectable memory errors pointing to one module. I moved workloads, shut down the server, replaced the module, and confirmed stability with memory and load tests."
- Use hardware logs when operating system logs do not explain the failure.
- Protect workloads and plan downtime before replacing hardware.
- Test after the repair and monitor for repeat errors.
What the interviewer checks: The interviewer wants to see a clear diagnosis process, safe repair steps, and proof that the problem was fixed.
Other ways it was asked
- “Tell me about a complex technical troubleshooting case you worked on. Why was it difficult, and how did you resolve it?”
- “Can you give an example of a challenging hardware issue you diagnosed and resolved?”
What is DHCP?
Asked in 3 of 69 interviews · last asked Oct 21 · Concept · Junior
Show answer
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. It automatically gives devices IP addresses and other network settings, such as DNS servers and, in IPv4, a default gateway. Addresses are usually leased for a set time, and devices renew their leases to keep using them.
- DHCP reduces manual setup and address errors.
- IPv4 lease setup uses Discover, Offer, Request, and Acknowledge, often called DORA.
- DHCP reservations let selected devices receive the same IP address.
- A DHCP relay forwards requests to a server on another subnet.
What the interviewer checks: The interviewer is checking whether you understand automatic network configuration and how DHCP leases work.
Other ways it was asked
- “What can you tell me about DHCP?”
- “What is Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)?”
Can you explain the FSMO roles and what they do?
Asked in 3 of 69 interviews · last asked Aug 21 · Concept · Mid-level
Show answer
FSMO stands for Flexible Single Master Operations: five Active Directory roles assigned to specific domain controllers. They handle tasks that need one owner to avoid conflicts. Schema Master and Domain Naming Master are forest-wide; RID Master, PDC Emulator, and Infrastructure Master are per domain.
- Schema Master controls schema changes; Domain Naming Master controls adding or removing domains and application partitions.
- RID Master gives domain controllers pools of IDs used to create unique security identifiers for accounts.
- PDC Emulator handles urgent password replication and account lockouts, and has a key role in time synchronization.
- Infrastructure Master updates references to objects in other domains.
What the interviewer checks: The interviewer checks whether you know all five roles, their purpose, and their forest-wide or per-domain scope.
Other ways it was asked
- “What are FSMO roles?”
- “What is an FSMO role in Active Directory?”
What are Veritas clusters?
Asked in 3 of 69 interviews · last asked Dec 4 · Concept · Mid-level
Show answer
Veritas clusters are groups of servers managed by Veritas Cluster Server, part of InfoScale Availability. They keep applications available by monitoring services and moving them to another server if one fails. They can also move services for planned maintenance.
- Service groups contain related resources, such as applications, storage, and virtual IP addresses.
- Heartbeat messages help detect failed servers; agents monitor applications and other resources.
- Failover requires another server with access to the needed data and enough capacity.
- I/O fencing helps prevent data damage if servers lose contact and both try to use shared storage.
What the interviewer checks: The interviewer is checking whether you understand high availability, failover, and how clusters protect shared data.
Other ways it was asked
- “What is a Veritas cluster?”
What is the difference between an HDD and an SSD?
Asked in 2 of 69 interviews · last asked Sep 2 · Concept · Junior
Show answer
An HDD stores data on spinning magnetic disks, while an SSD uses flash memory with no moving parts. SSDs are faster, quieter, and usually use less power. HDDs usually cost less per gigabyte, so they are useful for large amounts of data where speed matters less.
- SSDs handle random reads and writes much faster, improving boot times and application performance.
- HDDs offer cheaper capacity; SSDs are better for workloads that need fast storage.
- SSDs resist physical shock better, but both types can fail and need backups.
- SSD flash has a limited write life; endurance depends on the drive and workload.
What the interviewer checks: The interviewer is checking whether you can explain the technology and choose storage based on speed, cost, and workload.
Can you tell me what a PDU does in a rack?
Asked in 2 of 69 interviews · last asked Sep 3 · Concept · Junior
Show answer
A PDU, or power distribution unit, distributes electrical power to servers and other devices in a rack. It usually takes power from a UPS or a facility power circuit. Basic models provide outlets; advanced models can monitor power use or switch individual outlets remotely.
- A PDU distributes power; it does not provide battery backup like a UPS.
- Keep connected equipment within the PDU and circuit power limits.
- Two PDUs on separate power feeds can support redundancy for devices with dual power supplies.
What the interviewer checks: The interviewer is checking whether you understand rack power distribution and how it differs from backup power.
Other ways it was asked
- “What is a PDU?”
What is the difference between a switch, a router, and a firewall?
Asked in 2 of 69 interviews · last asked Sep 3 · Concept · Junior
Show answer
A switch connects devices within a local network and usually forwards traffic using MAC addresses. A router connects different networks and forwards traffic using IP addresses. A firewall allows or blocks traffic based on security rules. One device can perform more than one of these roles.
- Switches usually forward Ethernet frames within a LAN.
- Routers forward IP packets between networks using routing tables.
- Firewalls control traffic between networks or on a host.
- Layer 3 switches can also route traffic.
What the interviewer checks: The interviewer is checking whether you understand local connections, routing between networks, and traffic security.
Other ways it was asked
- “What is the difference between a switch and a router?”
- “What's the difference between a switch, a router, and a firewall?”
Can you tell me the difference between TCP and UDP?
Asked in 2 of 69 interviews · last asked Sep 19 · Concept · Junior
Show answer
TCP is connection-based and delivers a reliable, ordered stream of bytes. It retransmits lost data, but this can add delay. UDP sends separate packets without guaranteeing delivery or order. It has less overhead and suits applications that can tolerate loss or handle reliability themselves.
- TCP provides flow control and congestion control; UDP does not provide these itself.
- TCP is common for web traffic and file transfers; UDP is common for DNS and live media.
- UDP is not always faster; performance depends on the application and network.
What the interviewer checks: The interviewer is checking whether you understand delivery guarantees and can choose a protocol for an application's needs.
Other ways it was asked
- “What is the difference between TCP and UDP?”
- “Can you explain TCP and UDP?”
What is a VPN, and what is it used for?
Asked in 2 of 69 interviews · last asked Sep 2 · Concept · Junior
Show answer
A VPN, or virtual private network, creates a protected connection over a shared network, such as the internet. It is commonly used to give remote staff access to company systems or to connect office networks. Most VPNs encrypt traffic between the device or network and the VPN endpoint.
- Remote-access VPNs connect users to a private network.
- Site-to-site VPNs connect networks in different locations.
- Encryption protects traffic inside the tunnel, not necessarily beyond the VPN endpoint.
- A VPN does not guarantee anonymity or protect against all online threats.
What the interviewer checks: The interviewer is checking whether you understand VPN use cases and the limits of their protection.
Other ways it was asked
- “What are VPNs, and what are they used for?”
- “What is a VPN?”
What is a VLAN?
Asked in 2 of 69 interviews · last asked Oct 21 · Concept · Junior
Show answer
A VLAN, or Virtual Local Area Network, divides a physical network into separate logical networks. Each VLAN is a separate broadcast domain, which limits broadcast traffic. VLANs help separate users and devices by role or purpose. Traffic between VLANs needs routing, and firewall rules or access lists can control that traffic.
- Devices can share physical switches but belong to different VLANs.
- Trunk links can carry multiple VLANs, usually using IEEE 802.1Q tags.
- Communication between VLANs requires a router or a Layer 3 switch.
- VLAN separation does not replace firewall rules or other security controls.
What the interviewer checks: The interviewer is checking whether you understand network separation, broadcast domains, and routing between VLANs.
Other ways it was asked
- “Can you describe what a VLAN is and why it’s used?”
Can you describe DNS?
Asked in 2 of 69 interviews · last asked Oct 21 · Concept · Junior
Show answer
DNS stands for Domain Name System. It translates domain names, such as example.com, into IP addresses that computers use to connect. It is a distributed system that also stores records for services such as email. DNS answers are cached to reduce lookup time and server load.
- A records map names to IPv4 addresses; AAAA records map names to IPv6 addresses.
- Recursive resolvers find answers for clients; authoritative servers hold the records for a domain.
- TTL tells resolvers how long they can cache a record.
- DNS normally uses port 53 over UDP or TCP.
What the interviewer checks: The interviewer is checking whether you understand name resolution, common records, and the basic roles of DNS servers.
Other ways it was asked
- “What can you tell me about DNS?”
- “What is DNS?”
What is a port?
Asked in 2 of 69 interviews · last asked Sep 19 · Concept · Junior
Show answer
A network port is a numbered endpoint used by TCP or UDP to send traffic to the right service or application on a device. An IP address identifies the device’s network address, while the port identifies the endpoint. For example, HTTPS usually uses TCP port 443.
- Port numbers range from 0 to 65535; port 0 is reserved.
- TCP and UDP have separate port spaces.
- Servers usually listen on known ports; clients usually use temporary ports.
- A port number alone does not prove which service is running.
What the interviewer checks: The interviewer is checking whether you understand how ports help direct network traffic to applications.
Other ways it was asked
- “What is a port number?”
Can you explain the difference between DHCP and DNS?
Asked in 2 of 69 interviews · last asked Oct 21 · Concept · Junior
Show answer
DHCP gives devices IP addresses and network settings, usually for a limited time called a lease. DNS translates names, such as server.example.com, into IP addresses. DHCP can tell a device which DNS servers to use, but the two services have different jobs.
- DHCP can provide an IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server addresses.
- DNS lets devices find servers by name instead of remembering IP addresses.
- A device with a manually set IP address can still use DNS.
What the interviewer checks: The interviewer checks whether you understand address assignment, name lookup, and how these services work together.
Other ways it was asked
- “What is the relationship between DHCP and DNS?”
Can you tell me the difference between a shallow copy and a deep copy in Python?
Asked in 2 of 69 interviews · last asked Dec 4 · Concept · Mid-level
Show answer
A shallow copy of a list creates a new list but keeps references to the same nested objects. A deep copy also copies nested mutable objects, so changes to them usually do not affect the original. In Python, I use copy.copy() for a shallow copy and copy.deepcopy() for a deep copy.
- Changing a shared nested list affects both the original and its shallow copy.
- Replacing an item in the outer copied list does not change the original list.
- Deep copying can use more time and memory. Some objects cannot be copied.
Pythonimport copy original = [[1, 2]] shallow = copy.copy(original) deep = copy.deepcopy(original) shallow[0].append(3) print(original) # [[1, 2, 3]] print(deep) # [[1, 2]]What the interviewer checks: The interviewer is checking whether you understand shared references and how changes to nested objects affect copies.
Other ways it was asked
- “What is the difference between a shallow copy and a deep copy?”
What are static variables?
Asked in 2 of 69 interviews · last asked Dec 4 · Concept · Junior
Show answer
In Java, a static variable belongs to the class, not to each object. All objects of that class share the same variable. You can access it through the class name without creating an object. Static does not mean constant; use final to prevent reassignment.
- Declare a static variable with the static keyword.
- Use static variables for class-wide data, such as a shared counter.
- Changes are visible to all instances, but safe access from multiple threads may require synchronization.
What the interviewer checks: The interviewer is checking whether you understand class-level data versus data stored separately in each object.
Other ways it was asked
- “What are static variables in Java?”
How do you format a disk in Linux?
Asked in 2 of 69 interviews · last asked Dec 4 · Tooling · Junior
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I identify the correct disk with lsblk, back up its data, and unmount the target partition. If needed, I create a partition with fdisk or parted. I then create a filesystem with a command such as mkfs.ext4 and mount it.
- Formatting destroys existing data on the target; confirm the device name before running commands.
- Partitioning divides a disk; formatting creates a filesystem on a disk or partition.
- Use the filesystem tool you need, such as mkfs.ext4 or mkfs.xfs, with root permissions.
- To mount it automatically at boot, add its UUID and mount settings to /etc/fstab.
Codelsblk -f # Example: /dev/sdb1 is an existing, mounted partition. # Confirm this target and back up its data before continuing. sudo umount /dev/sdb1 && sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1 sudo mkdir -p /mnt/data sudo mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt/dataWhat the interviewer checks: The interviewer checks whether you know the commands and can format the correct device without losing unintended data.
Other ways it was asked
- “Which Linux commands are used to format a disk, and how do you format one?”
If Active Directory replication is failing, how would you troubleshoot and resolve the issue?
Asked in 2 of 69 interviews · last asked Aug 21 · Scenario · Mid-level
Show answer
I would use repadmin to find which domain controllers are failing and check the reported errors and Directory Service logs. Then I would check DNS, network access, time sync, and authentication. I would fix the cause, retry replication, and confirm that changes reach the affected controllers without new errors.
- Domain controllers should use DNS servers that can resolve the Active Directory domain and its service records.
- Check firewall rules for required traffic, including RPC and its dynamic ports.
- Use dcdiag to check domain controller health; check time sync because Kerberos depends on it.
- Check site links and replication connections in Active Directory Sites and Services.
Coderepadmin /replsummary repadmin /showrepl dcdiag /test:dnsWhat the interviewer checks: The interviewer wants to see a clear troubleshooting process that finds the cause and verifies recovery.
Other ways it was asked
- “How do you troubleshoot Active Directory domain controller replication issues?”
- “How would you troubleshoot an Active Directory application failure?”
How would you use Conditional Access and device compliance to ensure only compliant devices access company resources?
Asked in 2 of 69 interviews · last asked Sep 30 · Scenario · Senior
Show answer
I would define device compliance rules in Microsoft Intune, such as encryption, supported operating systems, and endpoint protection. Then I would use Microsoft Entra Conditional Access to require both a compliant device and MFA before granting access to company resources. I would cover remote users without allowing trusted locations to bypass device checks.
- Intune checks device compliance; Conditional Access uses that status to control access.
- Set devices with no assigned compliance policy to noncompliant, and block legacy authentication.
- Test policies in report-only mode, review sign-in logs, then enable enforcement in stages.
- Keep tightly controlled emergency access accounts excluded to prevent lockouts, and monitor their use.
What the interviewer checks: The interviewer checks whether you can connect device health checks to access enforcement without locking everyone out.
Other ways it was asked
- “How would you ensure that only compliant devices get access to company resources?”
- “How would you use Conditional Access and device compliance together to enforce a Zero Trust posture for a remote workforce?”
How do you plan and perform Windows Server patching, from preparation through deployment?
Asked in 2 of 69 interviews · last asked Aug 20 · Tooling · Mid-level
Show answer
I review available updates, affected servers, dependencies, and reboot needs, then agree on a maintenance window. I confirm backups and recovery steps, and test patches on representative servers. I deploy approved updates in stages using managed update tools, rebooting as needed. After each stage, I check patch status, logs, and application health before continuing.
- Prioritize security fixes by risk and urgency, while checking known issues.
- Notify service owners and plan server order to protect dependent services and availability.
- Use Windows Update, WSUS, or another management tool to control deployment and track results.
- Stop deployment if checks fail; uninstall updates when supported or use the recovery plan.
What the interviewer checks: The interviewer checks whether you can patch servers safely, limit downtime, verify success, and recover from failures.
Other ways it was asked
- “What are the steps for patching Windows servers with Windows Update, from preparation through deployment?”
- “How do you plan and perform server patching?”
Server hardware and storage interview questions
Hardware and storage questions cover server parts, hardware faults and replacement, rack power and cooling, RAID, NAS, and storage connections. 50 questions.
When replacing a CPU, what could happen if you use too little or too much thermal paste?
Asked once · last asked Feb 3 · Scenario · Junior
You have 16 memory sticks in a server and one is faulty. How would you locate it with the fewest iterations?
Asked once · last asked Feb 3 · Scenario · Mid-level
Your desktop displays an overheating warning. What could be causing it, and how could you resolve it?
Asked once · last asked Feb 3 · Scenario · Junior
You are unable to write data to a hard drive and receive a “failed to write” error, even though the operating system and files are using only 1.5 TB of a 2 TB drive. What could be the problem?
Asked once · last asked Feb 3 · Scenario · Mid-level
Tell me about a time when you had to validate power capacity or load distribution at the rack or PDU level. What was the situation, and what steps did you take?
Asked once · last asked Mar 11 · Behavioral · Mid-level
Explain the relationship between power, cooling, and space in data center rack capacity management. How do these three factors influence each other?
Asked once · last asked Mar 11 · Concept · Mid-level
If a rack’s servers aren’t getting power from the PDU, what would you troubleshoot next, and what is the likely culprit?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Scenario · Mid-level
Besides the display panel and indicator lights, what else would you check on the PDU?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Scenario · Mid-level
If a server is reachable via IPMI but won’t power on, what would you check first?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Scenario · Mid-level
If Linux reports a DIMM failure, where would you look to identify which DIMM and chip failed, and whether the error was corrected?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Scenario · Senior
Can you explain out-of-band management, what a BMC does, and how you would use it?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Tooling · Mid-level
What would you use BMC access for when troubleshooting a server?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Tooling · Mid-level
Show 5 more
Which field-replaceable units (FRUs) are commonly replaced in data center servers, and what can make replacing them difficult?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Concept · Mid-level
If a server node shuts down 30 seconds after powering on, where would you start troubleshooting?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Scenario · Mid-level
How do you troubleshoot repeated NAS disconnections?
Asked once · last asked Aug 18 · Scenario · Mid-level
What is the difference between a storage node, NAS, SAN, and local storage?
Asked once · last asked Aug 18 · Concept · Junior
For an HP server, switch, or NAS firmware update, what risks or checks do you assess before implementation?
Asked once · last asked Aug 18 · Scenario · Senior
System administrator networking interview questions
Networking questions cover TCP/IP, ports, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, routing, network equipment, remote connections, and finding network faults. 108 questions.
What is the difference between a dynamic IP address and a static IP address?
Asked once · last asked Sep 24 · Concept · Junior
Can you explain the difference between single-mode and multimode fiber?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Concept · Junior
What is the maximum segment size (MSS) in TCP?
Asked once · last asked Feb 24 · Concept · Junior
How would you check the connection between two servers?
Asked once · last asked Sep 19 · Scenario · Junior
Other ways it was asked
- “What other commands can you use to check network connectivity between two servers?”
What happens when a Windows machine starts up and obtains an IP address through DHCP?
Asked once · last asked Sep 30 · Concept · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “After a Windows machine obtains an IP address through DHCP, what other steps typically occur during startup?”
When you enter google.com in a browser, how does the DNS client resolve the name to an IP address?
Asked once · last asked Feb 24 · Concept · Junior
In a corporate environment, what happens when an internal DNS server cannot resolve a query?
Asked once · last asked Feb 24 · Scenario · Mid-level
When an internal DNS server cannot resolve a query, which server should it forward the query to?
Asked once · last asked Feb 24 · Concept · Mid-level
If a recursive DNS resolver cannot find an answer, where does it send the query next?
Asked once · last asked Feb 24 · Concept · Mid-level
After a DNS query reaches a top-level domain server, where does it go next?
Asked once · last asked Feb 24 · Concept · Junior
What is the difference between primary, secondary, and stub DNS zones?
Asked once · last asked Feb 24 · Concept · Mid-level
What is the difference between an iterative DNS query and a recursive DNS query?
Asked once · last asked Feb 24 · Concept · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “What is the difference between an iterative query and a recursive query?”
Windows and Linux administration interview questions
For Windows and Linux, questions cover operating system basics, filesystems, services, performance, command-line tools, PowerShell, Python, automation, and DevOps workflows. 88 questions.
How do you decide what to automate and what to test manually? What is worth automating?
Asked once · last asked Aug 27 · Concept · Senior
Other ways it was asked
- “How would you decide what is worth automating versus leaving manual?”
If you want your computer to perform a task every time it boots, how can you automate that and other tasks you do regularly?
Asked once · last asked Feb 3 · Tooling · Mid-level
Your Linux computer is running more slowly than usual. Walk me through how you would troubleshoot and potentially fix it.
Asked once · last asked Feb 3 · Scenario · Mid-level
On a Linux server with four CPU cores and 8 GB of RAM hosting a static website, users are getting HTTP 500 errors despite low CPU usage and plenty of free memory. What could be causing the problem, and how would you fix it?
Asked once · last asked Feb 22 · Scenario · Mid-level
If a network drive is mounted and has enough free space and inodes, what other issues could cause HTTP 500 errors on a Linux server hosting a static site?
Asked once · last asked Feb 22 · Scenario · Mid-level
What command would you use to view all drives and their partitions?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Tooling · Junior
How would you list all devices connected to the PCIe bus?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Tooling · Mid-level
What command would you use to view real-time CPU usage and processes?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Tooling · Junior
How does the Linux server boot process work?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Concept · Mid-level
How would you troubleshoot a Linux kernel panic or a server memory issue?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Scenario · Mid-level
What are your top three Linux troubleshooting commands?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Tooling · Mid-level
What are the advantages of NTFS over FAT?
Asked once · last asked May 4 · Concept · Junior
Show 5 more
Which file would you use to save mount configuration so it persists after a reboot?
Asked once · last asked May 18 · Tooling · Junior
Given a single-threaded batch binary that performs the same operation over 100 TB or 1 PB of data, how would you estimate its runtime and decide whether to run, stop, or refactor it?
Asked once · last asked May 19 · Scenario · Senior
How would you use the Microsoft Graph API or REST APIs with PowerShell to automate Intune tasks?
Asked once · last asked Aug 3 · Tooling · Senior
Which PowerShell commands would you use to restart a service on 100 servers?
Asked once · last asked Aug 11 · Tooling · Mid-level
How would you extend the root (/) filesystem on a Linux virtual machine with a 500 GB disk?
Asked once · last asked Aug 13 · Tooling · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “How would you extend the root (/) disk of a Linux virtual machine by 500 GB?”
Active Directory and system security interview questions
Identity and security questions cover Active Directory, Group Policy, Entra ID, authentication, access controls, certificates, system hardening, vulnerabilities, and threat response. 94 questions.
How do you use Conditional Access policies in Microsoft Entra to control access?
Asked once · last asked Sep 9 · Tooling · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “How do you use conditional access policies in Microsoft Entra, including troubleshooting and auditing them?”
How would you respond to a DDoS attack?
Asked once · last asked Aug 12 · Scenario · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “If you detect a DDoS attack on a system, how would you respond?”
How would you implement Zero Trust using Azure AD MFA and Conditional Access, from planning through deployment?
Asked once · last asked Aug 12 · Scenario · Senior
Why are organizational units (OUs) used in Active Directory?
Asked once · last asked Sep 30 · Concept · Mid-level
What does the migration process look like when moving a domain-joined machine to an Entra-only environment?
Asked once · last asked Oct 16 · Scenario · Mid-level
Can you discuss some physical access standards for a compute environment that you're familiar with?
Asked once · last asked Mar 11 · Concept · Mid-level
Can you explain how AD replication works?
Asked once · last asked Jul 16 · Concept · Mid-level
Which commands besides repadmin would you use to troubleshoot Active Directory replication?
Asked once · last asked Jul 16 · Tooling · Mid-level
If a domain controller hosting FSMO roles crashes, how would you bring another domain controller in the same subnet into service?
Asked once · last asked Jul 16 · Scenario · Senior
What is the difference between security filtering and WMI filtering?
Asked once · last asked Jul 16 · Concept · Mid-level
What is a bridgehead server in Active Directory?
Asked once · last asked Jul 16 · Concept · Mid-level
How does Active Directory select a domain controller to become a bridgehead server?
Asked once · last asked Jul 16 · Concept · Senior
Other ways it was asked
- “If an Active Directory bridgehead server is inaccessible, how is another domain controller in the same site selected as the replacement?”
Show 5 more
If a user reports being logged out frequently, how would you troubleshoot the issue?
Asked once · last asked Jul 16 · Scenario · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “If a user reports that their Active Directory account is being locked out frequently, how would you troubleshoot the issue?”
Which tools would you use to identify the source of an Active Directory account lockout?
Asked once · last asked Jul 16 · Tooling · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “Which Windows event log would you check to troubleshoot Active Directory account lockouts?”
What are ADMX templates, and how do you use them to manage Windows policies?
Asked once · last asked Aug 3 · Concept · Junior
Other ways it was asked
- “What is ADMX, and what is it used for?”
- “How would you use ADMX templates to manage Windows policy settings?”
A vulnerability is announced at 1 p.m. with a four-hour SLA. What steps would you follow to assess, patch, and verify affected systems within the SLA?
Asked once · last asked Aug 11 · Scenario · Senior
How would you implement CIS best practices in a Windows Server environment and assess their impact on security or system performance?
Asked once · last asked Aug 11 · Behavioral · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “Could you walk me through a specific example of how you implemented CIS best practices in a Windows server environment and the impact it had on security or system performance?”
SCCM, Intune, and endpoint management interview questions
SCCM and Intune questions cover device enrollment, OS imaging, application packaging and deployment, endpoint policies, patching, and deployment troubleshooting. 77 questions.
What is the difference between application packaging and application repackaging?
Asked once · last asked Apr 21 · Concept · Junior
Other ways it was asked
- “What is the primary difference between application packaging and repackaging?”
What prechecks and postchecks do you perform when patching a server?
Asked once · last asked Aug 20 · Tooling · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “What postchecks do you perform after patching a server?”
Why would you deploy SCCM agents on Windows 365 virtual machines?
Asked once · last asked Oct 16 · Concept · Mid-level
How do you set up a new machine in an Intune-managed environment?
Asked once · last asked Oct 16 · Tooling · Mid-level
How are boundary groups managed in Microsoft Configuration Manager, and who is typically responsible for them?
Asked once · last asked Oct 16 · Concept · Mid-level
How would you install an operating system on a personal computer, and how would that differ from installing it on 500 machines?
Asked once · last asked Feb 3 · Scenario · Mid-level
What is the mechanism of MSI (Windows Installer)?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Concept · Junior
An application installs successfully on 170 of 200 devices but fails on the other 30. Would you roll back the deployment or troubleshoot the failed devices, and why?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Scenario · Mid-level
In SCCM, what is the difference between a package and an application model, and which would you use to deploy an application?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Concept · Mid-level
Once you receive application source files, how do you validate them, and what do you include on your validation checklist?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Tooling · Mid-level
Besides the version, registry entries, and services, what else would you validate when testing an application package?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Tooling · Mid-level
If an MSI installs in UI mode but does not start when run silently, for example with /qn, what would you do to troubleshoot it?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Scenario · Mid-level
Show 7 more
How do you create a response file for a silent application installation?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Tooling · Mid-level
An MSI extracted from setup.exe cannot be installed on its own and reports that setup.exe is required. How would you troubleshoot this?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Scenario · Mid-level
What are custom actions in an MSI, and when would you use them?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Concept · Mid-level
How would you implement a deferred custom action in an MSI?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Tooling · Senior
When deploying multiple drivers, when would you repackage them rather than handle them with an MSI custom action?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Scenario · Senior
Other ways it was asked
- “When deploying an MSI and 10 drivers, would you package the drivers in the MSI or handle them with PowerShell?”
- “When deploying multiple drivers, what factors would determine whether you repackage them?”
What are the limitations of application repackaging, and can very large packages be repackaged?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Concept · Senior
How would you compare Intune and SCCM for application deployment, and when would you choose each?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Concept · Senior
Other ways it was asked
- “If an organization uses both Intune and SCCM, how would you decide whether to discontinue one deployment system or keep both?”
VMware, cloud, and virtual desktop interview questions
Virtualization and cloud questions cover hypervisors, virtual machine setup and migration, containers, cloud architecture, Azure Virtual Desktop, and FSLogix. 49 questions.
What is the function of VMware vMotion?
Asked in 2 of 69 interviews · last asked Aug 18 · Concept · Junior
Other ways it was asked
- “How does VMware vMotion work?”
- “What is the use of vMotion in vCenter?”
What is VMware Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS), and how does it work?
Asked in 2 of 69 interviews · last asked Aug 21 · Concept · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “What is VMware Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS)?”
What happens when an ESXi host fails, and what recovery behavior should you expect?
Asked in 2 of 69 interviews · last asked Aug 18 · Scenario · Senior
Other ways it was asked
- “If an ESXi host fails, what will happen, and how will vSphere respond?”
What different types of hypervisors are there on the market?
Asked in 2 of 69 interviews · last asked Aug 21 · Concept · Junior
Other ways it was asked
- “What are the types of hypervisors?”
How would you troubleshoot and resolve a snapshot file locked on an ESXi host?
Asked once · last asked Aug 11 · Scenario · Senior
Other ways it was asked
- “How would you troubleshoot and resolve an error deleting a snapshot because its file is locked on an ESXi host?”
With 1 TB of storage capacity, how much space remains after creating two virtual machines, each with a 100 GB thick-provisioned disk?
Asked once · last asked Aug 18 · Scenario · Junior
Other ways it was asked
- “With 1 TB of storage capacity, how much space remains after creating two 100 GB thick-provisioned virtual machines?”
- “With 1 TB of capacity and two existing 100 GB thick-provisioned virtual machines, how much space remains after adding another 500 GB thick-provisioned virtual machine?”
Which tool would you use to migrate virtual machines from VMware to Hyper-V?
Asked once · last asked Aug 18 · Tooling · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “How would you migrate multiple virtual machines from VMware to a Windows Server 2022 Hyper-V host?”
- “How would you migrate workloads from VMware to Hyper-V without disrupting production, and which tool would you use?”
How would you use kubectl get to list Kubernetes resources?
Asked once · last asked May 18 · Tooling · Junior
What is the purpose of an on-premises environment, and how does it differ from a cloud environment?
Asked once · last asked May 23 · Concept · Mid-level
What is a host pool in Azure Virtual Desktop, and what is it used for?
Asked once · last asked Aug 10 · Concept · Junior
What steps would you follow to create an Azure Virtual Desktop environment?
Asked once · last asked Aug 10 · Tooling · Mid-level
What is the difference between breadth-first and depth-first load balancing in Azure Virtual Desktop?
Asked once · last asked Aug 10 · Concept · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “What are the two load balancing techniques used in AVD?”
Show 8 more
What is FSLogix, and why would you use it instead of local profiles in Azure Virtual Desktop?
Asked once · last asked Aug 10 · Concept · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “What is FSLogix, and how is it used with Azure Virtual Desktop?”
- “Why do we use FSLogix instead of local profiles?”
When would you use a golden image for Azure Virtual Desktop?
Asked once · last asked Aug 10 · Concept · Mid-level
What file systems are supported for VMware datastores?
Asked once · last asked Aug 11 · Concept · Mid-level
Can you explain how you would approach optimizing datastore utilization in a VMware ESXi environment?
Asked once · last asked Aug 11 · Scenario · Senior
What VMware migration types are available, and which would you choose to move approximately 400 virtual machines between ESXi hosts?
Asked once · last asked Aug 13 · Scenario · Senior
What steps would you follow to migrate 400 virtual machines from one ESXi host to another?
Asked once · last asked Aug 13 · Scenario · Senior
For migrating virtual machines between ESXi hosts, when would you choose cold migration, hot migration, or vMotion?
Asked once · last asked Aug 13 · Concept · Senior
A user could access their virtual machine earlier but cannot access it now. How would you troubleshoot and resolve the issue?
Asked once · last asked Aug 13 · Scenario · Mid-level
Backup, disaster recovery, and high availability interview questions
For backup and recovery, questions cover backup methods and tools, restore checks, replication, clustering, failover, disaster recovery, and business continuity. 40 questions.
What is the difference between authoritative and non-authoritative restore?
Asked in 2 of 69 interviews · last asked Aug 21 · Concept · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “Can you give an example of when to use an authoritative restore and when to use a non-authoritative restore?”
- “What is the difference between authoritative and non-authoritative Active Directory restores?”
How does data replication work in the cloud?
Asked in 2 of 69 interviews · last asked Dec 4 · Concept · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “What are the types of data replication in cloud computing?”
Explain the upgrade process from Windows Server 2016 to 2019 and how Failover Clustering works in a production environment.
Asked once · last asked Aug 15 · Scenario · Senior
Other ways it was asked
- “Explain the upgrade process from Windows Server 2016 to 2019, how Failover Clustering works in production, and how to handle backup and recovery.”
- “How do you handle a Windows Server cluster upgrade from 2016 to 2019 and manage the failover backup process?”
How is business continuity planning (BCP) carried out in an organization?
Asked once · last asked May 23 · Scenario · Mid-level
When building a high-availability solution, what components would you consider?
Asked once · last asked Nov 18 · Design · Senior
What are the prerequisites for building a new failover cluster?
Asked once · last asked Aug 11 · Concept · Mid-level
Besides network connectivity, what Active Directory and computer-object requirements must be met to build a failover cluster?
Asked once · last asked Aug 11 · Concept · Mid-level
What permissions does a service account need on the cluster nodes, and what is the Cluster Name Object in Active Directory?
Asked once · last asked Aug 11 · Concept · Mid-level
What steps and tools would you use to set up a cluster and validate failover?
Asked once · last asked Aug 11 · Scenario · Senior
What steps would you take to configure high availability and disaster recovery for virtual machines in a VMware vSphere environment?
Asked once · last asked Aug 11 · Scenario · Senior
How would you develop a disaster recovery and business continuity plan?
Asked once · last asked Aug 12 · Scenario · Mid-level
What precaution should you take before applying a critical patch to a server running on a VM?
Asked once · last asked Aug 12 · Scenario · Mid-level
Show 6 more
What licenses does Commvault offer?
Asked once · last asked Dec 4 · Concept · Mid-level
Explain the role of Windows Server Failover Clustering and how you handle backups and failover in a production environment.
Asked once · last asked Aug 15 · Scenario · Senior
Explain the step-by-step process of setting up Azure Site Recovery for disaster recovery on an Azure virtual machine.
Asked once · last asked Aug 15 · Tooling · Senior
Other ways it was asked
- “How do you set up and configure the Azure Site Recovery agent for disaster recovery on an Azure virtual machine?”
If a database backup job reports that transaction logs are not truncating, what would you check in the backup configuration?
Asked once · last asked Aug 18 · Scenario · Senior
If backups are successful every day, how would you verify that you can actually restore them?
Asked once · last asked Aug 18 · Scenario · Mid-level
How do you plan production backups to ensure data can be validated and restored when needed?
Asked once · last asked Aug 19 · Scenario · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “How do you plan backups for the production environment?”
- “How do you plan backups so you can validate data and restore when required?”
Enterprise application and database administration interview questions
Application questions cover SAP, ArcGIS, Axway, IIS, Microsoft 365, Exchange, database basics, application architecture, and platform migrations. 39 questions.
What's the difference between a fact table and a dimension table?
Asked once · last asked Sep 3 · Concept · Junior
What deployment options are available in ArcGIS?
Asked once · last asked Nov 18 · Tooling · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “What are the two types of deployment in ArcGIS?”
What is a base deployment in ArcGIS, and when is it used?
Asked once · last asked Nov 18 · Concept · Mid-level
What are the components of ArcGIS Enterprise?
Asked once · last asked Nov 18 · Concept · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “What are the components of ArcGIS Enterprise besides ArcGIS Server?”
How would you plan an end-to-end migration of users from multiple Microsoft 365 tenants into a new tenant in India?
Asked once · last asked Aug 12 · Design · Senior
Other ways it was asked
- “How would you plan an end-to-end migration of on-premises-only, hybrid, and cloud-only users into a single new Microsoft 365 tenant?”
How would you migrate an on-premises database to SQL Server?
Asked once · last asked Aug 21 · Scenario · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “If you want to migrate an on-premises application to Azure, how would you do that?”
In what real world scenarios would you intentionally denormalize a database?
Asked once · last asked Sep 3 · Concept · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “When would you intentionally denormalize a data model?”
A user cannot open an Excel file on their desktop. How would you troubleshoot the issue?
Asked once · last asked Feb 24 · Scenario
How would you describe an enterprise Axway Secure Transport architecture, including where it runs and how it is deployed?
Asked once · last asked Jun 18 · Design · Mid-level
What is Axway Edge, and why is it important in an enterprise Axway deployment?
Asked once · last asked Jun 18 · Concept · Mid-level
How would you decide whether to run Axway Secure Transport in an EKS cluster or directly on Linux?
Asked once · last asked Jun 18 · Scenario · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “How would you decide whether to run Axway Secure Transport in a containerized environment or outside Kubernetes?”
How do you install Axway Secure Transport? Walk me through the steps.
Asked once · last asked Jun 18 · Tooling · Mid-level
Show 8 more
How can a sliding-window mechanism be implemented with Axway Secure Transport, and is it built in or custom-developed?
Asked once · last asked Jun 18 · Concept · Senior
What is the role or function of the Web Adaptor?
Asked once · last asked Nov 18 · Concept · Mid-level
What are the key activities and responsibilities involved in an SAP system migration to S/4HANA?
Asked once · last asked Jul 21 · Behavioral · Senior
Can you explain SAP’s standard architecture and how its components interact?
Asked once · last asked Jul 21 · Concept · Mid-level
Can you explain the key differences between SAP ECC and SAP S/4HANA?
Asked once · last asked Jul 21 · Concept · Mid-level
How do you monitor overall SAP system performance on a daily basis?
Asked once · last asked Jul 21 · Senior
A critical SAP background job has failed overnight. How would you investigate and resolve it?
Asked once · last asked Jul 21 · Scenario · Senior
Can you explain the HANA persistence layer?
Asked once · last asked Jul 22 · Concept · Mid-level
IT monitoring and incident management interview questions
IT operations questions cover monitoring, troubleshooting, incident priorities, escalation, customer communication, assets, vendors, purchasing, and IT planning. 79 questions.
How do you decide whether to continue troubleshooting an incident yourself or escalate it?
Asked in 2 of 69 interviews · last asked Jun 11 · Scenario · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “How do you decide which IT incidents to resolve yourself and which to escalate?”
- “How do you decide when to escalate an incident that you cannot resolve after your initial analysis?”
Describe a complex production outage you handled, the layers involved, and how you resolved it.
Asked in 2 of 69 interviews · last asked Sep 9 · Behavioral · Senior
Other ways it was asked
- “Describe a complex outage that you resolved, and what layers were involved.”
- “Tell me about a significant production or infrastructure incident or outage that you personally led or had to deal with. What happened and what did you do?”
If a production server or service suddenly becomes slow, how would you start troubleshooting it, and what would you do if you identify one server as the cause?
Asked once · last asked Aug 21 · Scenario · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “If a production server suddenly becomes slow, what are your troubleshooting steps?”
How do you create monitoring probes in Centreon to check service status?
Asked once · last asked Jun 2 · Tooling · Mid-level
If a website is slow, how would you troubleshoot it and find the root cause?
Asked once · last asked Aug 19 · Scenario · Mid-level
If you cannot check a user's file or network connectivity directly, how would you guide the user through troubleshooting them?
Asked once · last asked Feb 24 · Scenario · Mid-level
Walk me through your approach to basic IT triage when responding to a break-fix incident. What are some of the first things you check?
Asked once · last asked Mar 11 · Scenario · Mid-level
Tell me about a time when you managed a complex ticket workflow. How did you ensure proper updates, communication, and resolution?
Asked once · last asked Mar 11 · Behavioral · Mid-level
How would you create and maintain documentation, such as methods of procedure (MOPs), training guides, or process documents, to keep it relevant and up to date?
Asked once · last asked Mar 11 · Behavioral · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “Can you describe a time when you created or maintained documentation, such as MOPs, training guides, or process documents? How do you ensure documentation stays relevant and up to date?”
There are multiple issues at different locations. How do you prioritize your workload?
Asked once · last asked Mar 11 · Scenario · Mid-level
A new vendor is coming on-site to troubleshoot a device and is unsure what they're working on. What would you do to ensure the vendor operates safely and securely?
Asked once · last asked Mar 11 · Scenario · Mid-level
What tasks can you perform in a data center infrastructure management (DCIM) tool?
Asked once · last asked Mar 11 · Tooling · Mid-level
Show 8 more
How would you approach planning, execution, and asset management for an installation or data center infrastructure management (DCIM) project?
Asked once · last asked Mar 11 · Behavioral · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “Tell me about an installation or DCIM project you've worked on. What was your role in planning, execution, and asset management?”
Tell me about a time you responded to a Level 1 or Level 2 incident or network outage. What was the issue, and how did you resolve it?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Behavioral · Mid-level
If you replace a server motherboard, how would you document the work and hand it over to the next technician, and why is good documentation important?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Scenario · Mid-level
How do you write standard operating procedures (SOPs) and methods of procedure (MOPs), and when do you use them?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Tooling · Mid-level
If you have an on-site networking issue and the network team is remote, how would you contact them and choose the best communication channel?
Asked once · last asked Mar 26 · Scenario · Mid-level
If a critical system goes down, how do you handle the outage?
Asked once · last asked Apr 29 · Scenario · Mid-level
How would you approach setting up or improving monitoring and alerting systems?
Asked once · last asked May 4 · Behavioral · Mid-level
Other ways it was asked
- “How have you contributed to setting up or improving monitoring and alerting systems?”
How do you prioritize IT support tickets, who sets their priority, and where do the requests come from?
Asked once · last asked May 4 · Scenario · Mid-level
Related interview questions
- Active Directory and Windows Server interview questions
- Computer Networks interview questions
- DevOps Engineer interview questions
- Cloud Engineer interview questions
- Network Engineer interview questions
- IT Support and Help Desk interview questions
- Cybersecurity interview questions
How this list is made
Every question here was asked by a real interviewer in a real job interview that a candidate ran MeetAssist in. After the call, the interviewer's questions are pulled from the transcript. Practice sessions, tests, exams and anything that was not a job interview are dropped.
Questions are rewritten so they make sense on their own: names of people, employers and clients are removed, and speech-to-text mistakes are fixed. Small talk, logistics and questions about one candidate's own résumé are left out. Rephrasings of the same question are merged, and the count is the number of different interviews it came up in.
The interviews come from candidates who use MeetAssist, so they lean towards software, data and AI roles: the shares describe these interviews, not every System Administrator interview. Answers to the most asked questions are written and checked by an editor; a "common mistake" is shown only when reviews of real answers in these interviews show it, with the count.
69 interviews, 40 candidates, Nov 2025 to Oct 2026. Updated every month with new interviews.
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