Desktop Support Interview Questions and Answers

Q1. What is an operating system?
Operating system works as an interpreter between computer Hardware and application. Operation system works as a user interface.

Q2. Types of Operating systems?
There are two types of operating systems
1. SOS: Simple Operating System as for example- Windows 95,98, ME
2. NOS: Network Operating System as for example- Windows NT, 2000, 2003.

Q3. Which Windows OS are you most comfortable with?
This is a very basic question and you can prepare your answer by researching which OS version is used by the company you’re applying in. Be sure to do a little reading on the systems you are familiar with, so you can showcase your skills.

Q4. Why do we use DHCP?
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is used to assign dynamic IP addresses to network devices, allowing them to have a different IP address each time they are connected to the network.

Q5. What is tree?
A group of domain is called tree and sharing a contiguous Name Space.

Q6. What is forest?
A group of tree is called forest and does not sharing a contiguous name space but sharing a common configuration (Schema).

Q7. What is DNS and why do we use it on workstations?
The Domain Name System (DNS) is used to resolve human-readable hostnames like into machine-readable IP addresses like 69.143.201.22. The DNS address is configured on workstations. Windows redirects all domain names to resolve into IP addresses.

Q8. What is active directory?
Active directory authorizes and authenticates all users and computers in a window domain network, ensuring the security of the computer and software. Through active directory various functions can be managed like creating admin users, connecting to printers or external hard drives.

Q9. What is OU?
OU means for Organizational Unit. It is a container within Active Directory which can hold users, groups and computers.  It is the smallest unit on which administrator can assign group policy settings.

 Q10. What is RAS Server?
RAS stands for Remote Access Server. It is basically use for mobile user in the network. This server provides the access connectivity for mobile user. In this way all of the mobile users are connected to server through telephone line. This server also provides the connectivity between two more offices in the network.

Q11. What is VPN Server?
VPN Stands for Virtual Private Network. It is basically use for mobile user in the network. This server provides the remoteaccess connectivity for mobile user. In this way all of the mobile users are connected to server through internet. This server alsoprovides the connectivity between two or more office in the network. VPN is cost effective (No Costly).

Q12. What is the difference between RAS and VPN server?
RAS is truly a local area connection between two connections whereas, VPN is a local connection spread over large area.

Q13.  What is IAS server?
IAS means Internet Authentication Service. For many types of network access like wireless, authenticating switch and remote access dial-up they perform accounting and auditing, centralized connection authentication and authorization.

Q14. How many classes are there for “IP addresses” and what are the ranges?
They are segregated into five classes

1. Class A  ===          0 -126 ( 127 is reserved for loop back)
2. Class B  ====    128- 191
3. Class C  ====    192-223
4. Class D  ====   224-239
5. Class E  ====   240-255

Q15. Difference between permission, rights and policy?
Permission: permission is basically assigned on network resources as for example – file, folder, share folder, printer.
Right: Right is basically assign to users and groups.
Policy: Policy is basically assigned on active directory container i.e. – Site, Domain, OU.

Q16. What is the difference between the MSI file and .EXE file?
MSI (Microsoft Installer) allows install, uninstall and repair the program with a single file, while .EXE file needs two files to install and uninstall the software. Also,.EXE file is able to detect the existing version of the software and give option to user to uninstall the program while MSI will instruct the users to use the add and remove program in control panel to remove the existing product first and then you can install the new program.

Q17.  What is Ping command?
Between two or more devices, to check the physical IP connectivity Ping command is used.

Q18. What is a default gateway? What happens if I don’t have one?
A default gateway is a routing device used to forward all traffic that is not addressed to a destination within the local network or local subnet. If you don’t have a default gateway, it is not possible to communicate with the network device/host of different networks. Dial-up internet connections do not require a default gateway though because it is present in the ISP itself.

Q19. How you can take backup of emails in ms outlook?
To take a back-up in the ms outlook, you have to go in control panel. In control panel you have to go under mail option and then open the data file, select personal folder and click on open folder. After that, you have to copy .pst and have to paste it wherever you want the backup.

Q20. What is SMTP server or POP server?
POP stands for post office protocol. It is basically used for sending and receiving the mail.
SMTP stands for simple mail transfer protocol. It is used for mail receiving purpose in the network.

Q21. What is site?
A site is a geographical area where all of the domains are available. Site manages the replication traffic between two or more different sites in the network.

Q22. What is Operation Master Role?
Operation Master Role is available on Domain Controller in the Network. There are five types of operation master roles:-
1. Schema master
2. Domain Naming Master
3. RID Master
4. PDC Emulator
5. Infrastructure Master

Q23. What is trusting domain and trusted domain?
In trusting domain resources are available, while in trusted domain user’s account is available.

Q24.  How do I find the path that a packet takes to its destination?
Using “tracert” command lets you see the path travelled by a packet to its destination.

 Q25. What is IPCONFIG command?
IPCONFIG command is used to display the IP information of the computer assigned like DNS IP address and gateway IP address.