Are you preparing for an interview focused on Active Directory? If so, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve compiled a list of essential Active Directory interview questions and answers to help you excel in your upcoming interview. Whether you’re applying for a network administration role or looking to improve your understanding of Active Directory, this guide will give you a competitive edge.

Before diving into the interview questions, let’s take a moment to explore what Microsoft Active Directory is and why it’s so important in network management.

What is Microsoft Active Directory?

Microsoft Active Directory (AD) is a centralized directory service used to organize, manage, and secure network resources within a domain. It serves as a foundation for managing users, computers, and networked devices, providing a structured and secure environment for network administration. Active Directory is a crucial tool for IT administrators, as it enables the seamless management of network resources, user authentication, and security policies in corporate networks.

First introduced with Windows 2000 Server, Active Directory has since become an integral part of Microsoft’s server ecosystem. It helps organizations enforce security policies, streamline administrative tasks, and ensure that users and devices can efficiently access resources while maintaining a secure network environment. Active Directory uses the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) to allow users and applications to query and interact with the directory, making it a critical component in large-scale, complex network environments.

Active Directory is especially beneficial in enterprise settings, where managing large numbers of users, computers, and devices is essential. It provides a hierarchical structure that helps organize and access resources efficiently, while also ensuring robust security mechanisms.

Key Features of Active Directory:

1. Security and Authentication

One of the primary features of Active Directory is its ability to manage security and authentication within a network. AD authenticates users and computers, granting them access to network resources such as files, applications, printers, and databases. Authentication involves verifying the identity of users and devices attempting to access the network, ensuring that only authorized individuals and systems can interact with critical resources.

Active Directory enables Single Sign-On (SSO), allowing users to log in once and gain access to multiple resources across the network without needing to authenticate again. It also supports more advanced security features like multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of protection.

Furthermore, Active Directory provides authorization mechanisms to define what specific resources users or devices are permitted to access, based on their roles or security groups within the network. This minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and enhances the overall security of the network.

2. Centralized Administration

Active Directory simplifies network administration by centralizing the management of network resources in one unified system. IT administrators can manage all user accounts, computers, devices, and security policies from a single interface, reducing the complexity involved in maintaining a large-scale network.

Centralized administration means that IT staff do not need to individually configure and manage resources on each machine. Instead, they can make changes or implement new policies in one location, and these changes will automatically propagate to all affected resources in the network. This significantly streamlines administrative tasks and ensures consistency across the entire network.

Additionally, AD enables administrators to define Group Policies that apply security settings, restrictions, and configurations for users and computers in a domain. This ensures that security settings, software installations, and updates are uniformly applied across all devices, improving efficiency and compliance with organizational policies.

3. Hierarchical Structure

Active Directory organizes network resources into a hierarchical structure that is composed of several components:

• Domains: A domain is the core unit of Active Directory, and it represents a collection of users, computers, and other resources. Domains allow for centralized management and security policies for all resources within the domain.
• Organizational Units (OUs): Within a domain, resources can be further organized into Organizational Units. OUs allow administrators to group related resources (such as departments or business units) for more granular management. Administrators can assign specific permissions, apply group policies, or delegate control to certain users or administrators at the OU level.
• Trees and Forests: Multiple domains can be organized into a tree, where each domain shares a common root domain. A forest is a collection of multiple trees, and it allows for broader management across different organizations or business units. Forests provide a logical boundary for managing multiple domains and resources, while also supporting cross-domain resource sharing.

The hierarchical design of AD makes it easier for organizations to scale and manage their resources efficiently, while also supporting complex permissions and policies.

4. Group Management and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

Active Directory allows administrators to group users and devices into Security Groups and Distribution Groups. These groups simplify the management of permissions and roles by allowing administrators to assign specific access rights to a group rather than individual users. For instance, administrators can create a “Sales” group and assign it the necessary permissions to access sales-related data, software, and network resources.

AD also supports Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), which enables organizations to assign permissions based on the roles of users within the organization. For example, a manager might have broader access rights compared to a regular employee. RBAC allows for flexible access management that is aligned with an individual’s job responsibilities.

5. Replication and Fault Tolerance

Active Directory is designed to provide high availability and fault tolerance across an organization’s network. It uses replication to ensure that data is synchronized between domain controllers within a domain. Domain controllers are servers that host the AD database, and they replicate changes to other domain controllers to ensure consistency across the entire network.

Replication ensures that if one domain controller fails, another can take over and continue to provide authentication and authorization services without disruption. This redundancy is crucial for maintaining network uptime and ensuring that users can continue to access resources even in the event of hardware or network failures.

6. LDAP and DNS Integration

Active Directory uses LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) for querying and interacting with its directory. LDAP is an open standard protocol that allows clients and applications to search, retrieve, and manage directory information. LDAP makes it easy for applications to access user data, security policies, and other configuration information stored within Active Directory.

Additionally, AD integrates with DNS (Domain Name System) to provide name resolution and service location. DNS is essential for locating Active Directory domain controllers and ensuring smooth communication across the network. The integration of AD with DNS allows devices to easily find and communicate with the appropriate domain controllers for authentication and resource access.

Microsoft Active Directory is a powerful and comprehensive directory service that plays a critical role in the management of network resources, user authentication, and security within an organization. With its centralized administration, security features, scalability, and hierarchical structure, Active Directory simplifies network management and ensures the integrity and availability of data across the network. Whether used in small enterprises or large corporations, Active Directory provides the tools necessary for efficiently managing users, devices, and network resources while maintaining robust security protocols. Its integration with LDAP and DNS further enhances its utility in complex network environments, making it a vital component for modern IT infrastructures.

Essential Skills for Active Directory Jobs

Active Directory (AD) is a powerful and crucial component for managing IT infrastructure in organizations of all sizes. Professionals working with AD need to possess a broad range of skills to ensure smooth operations and effective management of network resources. If you’re aiming for a role that involves Active Directory, understanding and mastering the following core skills is essential. These skills ensure that the AD infrastructure remains secure, efficient, and scalable.

1. Active Directory Management

Active Directory management is at the heart of any AD-related role. This skill encompasses a wide range of tasks related to the creation, management, and maintenance of objects within AD, such as user accounts, computer accounts, and security groups. Administrators need to be able to:

• Create and manage user accounts: This includes adding new users, assigning them appropriate roles, and ensuring they have the correct permissions to access resources.
• Manage computer accounts: This involves adding, removing, and updating the machine accounts that allow computers to join and participate in the network.
• Set up security permissions: Administrators need to assign specific access rights to users and computers based on their roles within the organization, ensuring that the principle of least privilege is followed and sensitive data is protected.

Active Directory management requires a deep understanding of how to configure and administer directory services, as well as how to organize and manage large sets of users and machines efficiently.

2. Group Policy Management

Group Policy (GP) is a critical feature of Active Directory, used to control and manage the configuration of operating systems, applications, and user settings within a network. It is essential for IT professionals to:

• Create and configure Group Policies: Administrators must design Group Policies that apply to user groups and machines across the network, defining settings such as password policies, account lockout policies, and security configurations.
• Deploy software and updates: Group Policies are also used to centrally deploy applications, scripts, and updates across machines in the domain. This ensures that all systems are up-to-date and compliant with company standards.
• Troubleshoot Group Policy issues: Group Policies can sometimes conflict, or they may not be applied correctly across the network. IT professionals need to know how to diagnose and fix issues related to GP inheritance, replication, and application to ensure proper configurations.

Having a solid understanding of Group Policy Management allows administrators to enforce security settings, configure user experiences, and maintain uniformity across the network.

3. Security Administration

Security administration is a core aspect of Active Directory roles. AD professionals are responsible for ensuring that users, groups, and devices are securely authenticated and authorized to access resources. Key security-related tasks include:

• Implementing authentication protocols: Understanding how authentication protocols like Kerberos, NTLM, and LDAP work within Active Directory is crucial. Administrators must ensure users are securely authenticated before gaining access to any resources.
• Managing user access to resources: This includes configuring role-based access control (RBAC), managing permissions, and ensuring that access to sensitive data is tightly controlled.
• Maintaining security policies: Active Directory is often the foundation for managing security policies within an organization. Administrators must set up and maintain policies like password complexity requirements, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and secure access management.

Security is paramount in today’s IT environments, and administrators must continually assess and enhance the security measures surrounding Active Directory to prevent unauthorized access and breaches.

4. PowerShell Scripting

PowerShell scripting is an essential skill for automating administrative tasks and streamlining repetitive processes within Active Directory. IT professionals should be proficient in:

• Automating user and group management: PowerShell can be used to automate the creation of user accounts, the assignment of group memberships, and the modification of permissions, saving time and reducing human error.
• Managing AD objects in bulk: PowerShell allows administrators to manage large numbers of Active Directory objects (users, computers, groups) simultaneously, which is invaluable in large environments.
• Scripting reports and audits: PowerShell can be leveraged to generate reports on group memberships, permissions, login history, and other AD-related events, making it easier to track and audit user activity.

With PowerShell, IT professionals can create robust scripts that increase efficiency, minimize errors, and enhance overall management of Active Directory infrastructure.

5. Technical Support and Troubleshooting

Active Directory professionals must possess strong troubleshooting and technical support skills to resolve issues related to user access, group policies, and overall AD infrastructure. Key troubleshooting tasks include:

• Diagnosing login issues: Users might encounter login problems due to incorrect passwords, account lockouts, or permission errors. Active Directory professionals need to identify the root cause and resolve issues quickly to minimize downtime.
• Identifying replication issues: In larger environments, AD replication can sometimes fail, leading to inconsistencies in data across domain controllers. Professionals must be able to identify and resolve replication issues to maintain data consistency.
• Fixing Group Policy application problems: Sometimes, Group Policies may not apply correctly to users or computers. IT administrators must be able to diagnose and correct any GP issues, including conflicts, misconfigurations, or inheritance problems.

Being able to troubleshoot and resolve issues quickly ensures minimal disruption to the network and ensures that the Active Directory infrastructure operates smoothly at all times.

6. Backup and Recovery Management

Active Directory is a critical component of an organization’s IT infrastructure, and protecting it through regular backups and having a recovery plan in place is crucial. Administrators should be skilled in:

• Backing up AD databases: Regular backups ensure that, in the event of a failure, the AD database can be restored to prevent data loss.
• Restoring from backups: In case of corruption or accidental deletion, knowing how to restore Active Directory objects and data from backups is essential to business continuity.

Ensuring that you have robust backup and recovery processes in place will help safeguard the integrity of the AD environment and protect against data loss.

In conclusion, roles that involve managing Microsoft Active Directory require a wide range of skills. From Active Directory management to PowerShell scripting and security administration, each skill plays an integral role in ensuring that AD runs smoothly, securely, and efficiently. Mastering these core competencies will equip professionals to handle the complexities of modern IT infrastructures, support users effectively, and maintain a secure and reliable network. These essential skills are key for anyone looking to pursue a career in Active Directory management or support, and they are critical to the success of any IT team.

Common Active Directory Interview Questions for Freshers

Here’s a list of frequently asked Active Directory interview questions that will help you prepare:

What is Active Directory?

Active Directory (AD) is a directory service developed by Microsoft that is used to store and manage network resources, such as user accounts, passwords, and other information relevant to network management. It is a centralized system that helps administrators manage large and complex networks by organizing and providing access to various resources across a domain.

At its core, Active Directory serves as the central hub for authentication, authorization, and the management of networked computers and users. It allows administrators to control who can access what resources in the network and ensures that users and devices are authenticated before accessing network services.

Active Directory is commonly used in enterprise environments to streamline the management of network resources and enforce security policies. It was first introduced in Windows 2000 Server and has since evolved into an essential component of Microsoft’s server ecosystem.

Key Functions of Active Directory:

1. Centralized User Management: Active Directory simplifies the management of user accounts, groups, and permissions. It stores user data like login credentials, email addresses, and access rights, allowing IT administrators to manage these accounts from a single interface.
2. Authentication and Authorization: AD plays a critical role in authenticating users and computers within a network. When a user tries to log in to a computer or access a network resource, Active Directory verifies their credentials and determines whether they are authorized to access that resource.
3. Directory Services: Active Directory stores detailed information about resources, such as users, groups, printers, and other devices, in a hierarchical directory. It uses the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) to enable applications to query and retrieve information from the directory.
4. Security: Active Directory helps enforce security policies across the network by enabling centralized management of permissions and access control. Group policies can be applied to users and computers to define security settings like password policies and lockout thresholds.
5. Scalability and Flexibility: Active Directory can scale to accommodate networks of various sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises. It provides flexibility in organizing resources through domains, organizational units (OUs), and forests, enabling businesses to structure their directory service according to their unique needs.

In essence, Active Directory is vital for simplifying network management, improving security, and providing a framework for managing user access and network resources across an organization.

Key Components of Active Directory

Active Directory (AD) is a complex system that relies on several key components to function effectively. Each of these components plays a vital role in ensuring the security, scalability, and management of the networked environment. Below are the key components of Active Directory:

1. Domain Name System (DNS)

DNS is a critical component of Active Directory, as it helps resolve domain names into IP addresses, allowing clients to find services in the network, such as domain controllers. Without DNS, Active Directory would not be able to function properly because domain controllers rely on DNS to locate other domain controllers and to authenticate users and computers. DNS provides name resolution for Active Directory’s distributed architecture, enabling efficient communication across the network.

2. Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)

LDAP is the protocol used by Active Directory for querying and modifying directory services. It provides a standard method for accessing and interacting with directory data, including searching, retrieving, and updating information stored within the AD. Most AD clients and applications use LDAP to communicate with the Active Directory database to authenticate users, retrieve data, and enforce security policies. Essentially, LDAP acts as the communication protocol between the AD client and the directory service, ensuring the seamless flow of data.

3. Kerberos

Kerberos is the authentication protocol used by Active Directory to securely verify user identities over the network. When a user logs in, Kerberos authenticates the user’s identity using encrypted tickets, allowing users to access resources without transmitting their passwords over the network. Kerberos is integral to maintaining secure, trusted communications within an Active Directory environment. It helps protect against man-in-the-middle attacks and other security vulnerabilities, ensuring that authentication is both safe and efficient.

4. Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)

Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) is the core service in Active Directory that stores all the data related to users, computers, and other resources in a centralized directory. It is responsible for authenticating and authorizing users and computers within a domain, managing user accounts, group memberships, and enforcing security policies. AD DS provides the structure and functionality to define, store, and retrieve information across a network, making it essential for ensuring that users and devices can be properly authenticated and authorized for access to network resources.

AD DS also allows administrators to manage and configure group policies, which define the behavior of user accounts, security settings, and other configurations across the network. It enables the distribution of resources like printers, file shares, and applications throughout the domain.

Active Directory relies on several key components to function efficiently and securely. DNS helps with name resolution, LDAP provides a protocol for interacting with the directory, Kerberos ensures secure authentication, and AD DS is the foundation that handles data storage, authentication, and authorization. Together, these components enable Active Directory to effectively manage user and computer resources in large networks while maintaining security and ease of administration.

What is a Domain in Active Directory?

In Active Directory, a domain is a logical grouping of network resources, such as computers, users, groups, and other devices, that share a common security policy and administrative settings. It is one of the core structural elements of Active Directory and serves as the primary unit of management within a network. Domains are used to organize and secure resources, enforce security policies, and allow administrators to efficiently manage and control access to network resources.

Key Characteristics of a Domain in Active Directory:

1. Centralized Authentication and Authorization:
   All users and computers within a domain are authenticated by domain controllers, which ensure that only authorized users can access the domain’s resources. The domain controls access rights, permissions, and the ability to authenticate users and devices across the network.
2. Security Boundaries:
   A domain establishes a security boundary within which resources can be managed and protected. Security policies, such as password requirements and account lockout policies, are defined at the domain level, and they apply to all the objects within the domain. This ensures that there is consistency in security measures across the entire domain.
3. Single Namespace:
   A domain provides a namespace for the network, allowing resources to be identified and accessed with a unique domain name. This namespace enables easier management of network resources and ensures that all objects within the domain can be referenced consistently.
4. Domain Controllers:
   A domain is managed by one or more domain controllers (DCs), which are servers that store the domain’s directory database and handle user authentication, permissions, and replication. Domain controllers ensure that the information within the domain is consistent and accessible by users and other devices.
5. Group Policies:
   Group Policies can be applied at the domain level to define various configurations and settings for users and computers. This allows administrators to centrally manage user permissions, software installations, security settings, and more, ensuring that these configurations are uniformly applied across all devices within the domain.
6. Active Directory Structure:
   A domain can be part of a larger Active Directory forest, which may include multiple domains. These domains can be connected in a hierarchical structure, where parent and child domains share certain administrative settings, or they can be independent, each with its own set of policies.

Benefits of Using Domains in Active Directory:

• Simplified Management: Domains centralize user and resource management, making it easier for administrators to enforce consistent policies, perform updates, and manage access controls across a large network.
• Scalability: Active Directory domains can scale to accommodate a large number of users and computers, ensuring that as an organization grows, its IT infrastructure can be efficiently managed without complexity.
• Security: By creating security boundaries, domains allow administrators to enforce security measures such as access control, user authentication, and resource protection within the defined boundary.
• Resource Sharing: Domains allow resources such as printers, files, and applications to be shared among users within the domain, simplifying access control and management.

In Active Directory, a domain is the fundamental organizational unit that groups users, computers, and other resources under a common security policy and administrative structure. It provides centralized management, security, and scalability, making it easier to manage a large network of resources and enforce consistent access controls across the network. Domains form the backbone of an Active Directory infrastructure, ensuring secure and efficient management of networked resources.

What is a Domain Controller?

A domain controller (DC) is a server within an Active Directory (AD) environment that is responsible for managing the security and authentication of users, computers, and other resources within an AD domain. Domain controllers play a critical role in the overall operation of Active Directory by providing access control, enforcing domain policies, and ensuring data consistency across multiple servers. They store a copy of the AD database and act as the authoritative entity for authentication and authorization requests within the network.

Key Responsibilities of a Domain Controller:

1. Authentication and Authorization:
   One of the primary functions of a domain controller is to authenticate users and computers within the domain. When a user logs in to a computer or tries to access network resources, the domain controller verifies the user’s credentials (such as username and password) against the Active Directory database. If the credentials are valid, the DC grants access to the resources, based on the permissions set in Active Directory.
2. Enforcing Security Policies:
   Domain controllers are responsible for enforcing the security policies defined within the Active Directory environment. These policies include password policies (e.g., complexity and expiration rules), account lockout policies (to prevent brute force attacks), and other security-related settings. By enforcing these policies, DCs ensure that all users and computers adhere to the organization’s security requirements.
3. Replicating Data Across Domain Controllers:
   Active Directory is a distributed system, and changes made on one domain controller, such as user account modifications or policy updates, must be replicated across all domain controllers within the domain or forest. This ensures data consistency and that all domain controllers have the latest information about users, groups, and network resources. Domain controllers use a multi-master replication model, meaning that each DC can make updates to the directory, and those changes will be replicated to others.
4. Managing Domain Resources:
   Domain controllers store and manage all of the information about the domain’s objects, such as user accounts, group memberships, security policies, and network resources. This data is stored in the Active Directory database and is accessible by other devices or applications that need to query AD for user authentication or resource information.
5. Group Policy Enforcement:
   Domain controllers play a central role in enforcing Group Policies that control the configuration of users and computers within the domain. Group Policies define settings like desktop configurations, security configurations, software installations, and user behavior. Domain controllers ensure that these policies are applied consistently across all computers in the domain.
6. DNS Services:
   Domain controllers often run Domain Name System (DNS) services, which are integral to Active Directory. DNS is used to resolve the names of domain controllers and other network resources, ensuring that clients can locate services within the domain. DNS and Active Directory work closely together to ensure smooth communication and access to network resources.

Types of Domain Controllers:

1. Primary Domain Controller (PDC):
   In older versions of Windows (pre-Windows 2000), the Primary Domain Controller (PDC) was the single domain controller responsible for maintaining the master copy of the AD database. In modern versions of Active Directory, there is no longer a single “PDC.” However, certain domain controllers can still be configured to take on additional roles, such as the PDC Emulator, which is responsible for handling backward compatibility with legacy systems.
2. Backup Domain Controller (BDC):
   Again, in earlier versions of Windows Server, Backup Domain Controllers (BDCs) were used to provide redundancy in the event the PDC failed. In the current version of AD, all domain controllers are equal, and any domain controller can be used to authenticate users and make changes to the AD database.
3. Read-Only Domain Controller (RODC):
   An RODC is a domain controller that holds a read-only copy of the Active Directory database. RODCs are typically deployed in remote or branch office locations where physical security may be a concern. Since they only replicate data in a read-only format, RODCs reduce the risk of exposing sensitive information in these locations.

Importance of Domain Controllers:

1. Centralized Authentication and Security:
   Domain controllers are crucial for providing centralized authentication and ensuring that security policies are consistently enforced across the entire network. This makes them vital in controlling access to sensitive resources, such as files, applications, and printers.
2. Redundancy and Availability:
   Multiple domain controllers can be deployed to provide redundancy and ensure high availability of Active Directory services. If one domain controller fails, others can continue to handle authentication requests and provide directory services, ensuring minimal disruption to the network.
3. Scalability:
   As organizations grow, the number of users and devices increases, and domain controllers provide the scalability needed to support large, complex networks. Additional domain controllers can be added to distribute the load and ensure that AD services are accessible even in large environments.
4. Consistency and Replication:
   The replication of AD data across domain controllers ensures that all controllers have up-to-date and consistent information, making it possible for users to authenticate from any domain controller, regardless of their location. This consistency is essential for maintaining smooth operations across large networks.

A domain controller is a fundamental component of Active Directory, responsible for managing authentication, enforcing security policies, and maintaining data consistency across an organization’s network. By handling authentication requests, replicating directory data, and applying Group Policies, domain controllers enable organizations to manage their resources effectively and securely. Whether deployed as a Primary Domain Controller, Backup Domain Controller, or Read-Only Domain Controller, the domain controller is critical for ensuring that network resources are accessible, secure, and well-managed within an Active Directory environment.

How does DNS work within Active Directory?

DNS is essential for Active Directory as it helps locate domain controllers and other resources within the domain. It maps domain names to IP addresses, allowing AD to perform lookups and find resources on the network.

1. Explain LDAP in Active Directory.
   LDAP is a protocol used to access and manage directory information. In Active Directory, LDAP allows communication with other directory services, enabling the retrieval and modification of directory data.
2. What is a forest in Active Directory?
   A forest is the highest-level container in Active Directory. It consists of one or more domain trees that share a common schema and global catalog. A forest also serves as a security boundary within the directory structure.
3. What are the benefits of using Active Directory?
   Active Directory simplifies network administration, improves security, and provides a centralized location to manage users, computers, and resources. It also enables single sign-on (SSO), where users can access multiple resources with one set of credentials.
4. What is a tombstone in Active Directory?
   A tombstone in Active Directory is a marker for a deleted object. Rather than being immediately removed, deleted objects are marked as tombstones, allowing them to be restored if needed.
5. What is the Default Domain Controllers Policy?
   The Default Domain Controllers Policy is a set of Group Policy settings applied to all domain controllers within an Active Directory domain. It ensures a consistent and secure environment for domain controllers.
6. What is Group Policy in Active Directory?
   Group Policy is a feature that allows centralized management of user and computer configurations. It includes settings for security, software deployments, and permissions, and can be used to enforce policies across a domain.
7. What is the Active Directory Recycle Bin?
   The Active Directory Recycle Bin is a feature that enables the recovery of accidentally deleted objects within Active Directory. When objects are deleted, they are moved to the Recycle Bin for easy restoration.
8. What is Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS)?
   ADFS is a Microsoft service that enables single sign-on (SSO) between Active Directory and other identity providers. It allows users to authenticate with their AD credentials and access resources across organizational boundaries.
9. What is Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS)?
   AD CS is a server role that manages the issuance, renewal, and revocation of digital certificates. These certificates provide a secure means for communication between devices and applications.
10. What is Active Directory Rights Management Services (AD RMS)?
    AD RMS is a technology that helps manage and secure digital rights for documents and files within an organization. It controls how content is accessed and used by different individuals.
11. What are some risks associated with Active Directory?
    Some risks include:

• Single point of failure if AD becomes unavailable
• Exposure to attacks if AD is compromised, potentially granting unauthorized access to sensitive data

1. How can you secure Active Directory?
   Security measures include:

• Applying security patches and updates
• Enforcing strong password policies
• Using multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Restricting access to AD data and monitoring for suspicious activities

1. What are common Active Directory issues?
   Common issues include database corruption, replication problems, and authentication failures. Troubleshooting often involves checking event logs, DNS settings, and replication status.
2. What are some best practices for Active Directory?
   Best practices include:

• Implementing strong passwords and MFA
• Auditing AD access
• Using Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to enforce security settings
• Limiting physical access to AD servers

1. What is SYSVOL in Active Directory?
   SYSVOL is a shared directory on domain controllers that stores scripts, policies, and other important files. It is essential for the replication of Group Policies across domain controllers.
2. What is a Global Catalog in Active Directory?
   A global catalog is a distributed database that contains information about all objects in an Active Directory forest. It facilitates efficient searches across multiple domains within the forest.
3. What is Kerberos Authentication in Active Directory?
   Kerberos is a network authentication protocol that uses tickets to authenticate users and services in Active Directory. It provides a secure method for users to access network resources.
4. What is an Active Directory Snapshot?
   An Active Directory snapshot is a point-in-time copy of the AD database. It can be used for recovery purposes in case of data corruption or loss.
5. What is the difference between Domain Local, Global, and Universal groups?

• Domain Local Groups: Used for managing resources within a single domain.
• Global Groups: Used for managing resources across multiple domains.
• Universal Groups: Used for managing resources across multiple domains and forests.

1. Explain OAuth in Microsoft Active Directory.
   OAuth is a protocol that allows users to grant third-party applications access to their resources without sharing their passwords. It can be used with Azure Active Directory to enable secure, delegated access to organizational resources.

Conclusion

By preparing for these fundamental questions on Active Directory, you’ll be better equipped for your interview. Additionally, consider pursuing certifications like the AZ-104 to deepen your knowledge and demonstrate your expertise in managing Active Directory services.