In the modern world, no organization can maximize its production and maintain a competitive edge without using systems. For any system to operate optimally, it must be maintained and configured appropriately, and this is where the role of a systems administrator comes in hardly.
IT System administrators or sysadmins ensure that a company’s client computers and servers remain secure and perform well. Thus, the most appropriate candidate for this role should be skilled and show a clear understanding of the technical feats needed to keep systems running smoothly.
But how do you find the right candidate among a multitude of applicants? It is all about asking the right questions and getting them answered correctly. Here are the top 20 IT system administrator interview questions and answers to help you get the most appropriate individual.
1. Describe your Daily Routine as a Systems Administrator?
The interviewer seeks to assess your familiarity with what a sysadmin does daily
Tip #1: Describe what a sysadmin is involved in on a typical day
Tip #2: Demonstrate that you are well aware of your responsibilities
Sample Answer
As a sysadmin, my responsibilities include performing software installations and updates, creating user accounts, and providing system access control. Other duties include reviewing system logs, allocating storage to resources, optimizing and monitoring computer systems, creating backups, and ensuring data recovery measures are in place.
2. What Qualities Should A System Administrator Possess?
The interviewer wants to assess whether you understand the qualities that make a good sysadmin.
Tip #1: State several qualities that sysadmins should have
Tip #2: Demonstrate your understanding by explaining each point briefly
Sample Answer
A sysadmin should be a problem solver since the role is often faced with issues that need to be resolved. Keen intuition coupled with precise and quick decision-making is very vital.
People skills are necessary as sysadmins deal with end users who don’t know much about IT. Such users need to be guided in a concise and transparent manner.
Patience is another excellent quality in this role because it involves handling tasks that need concentration and much time to complete.
Besides, the willingness to learn and being a team player are other vital qualities in system administration.
3. What are Windows Deployment Services (WDS)?
The interviewer wants to understand your knowledge about WDS.
Tip #1: Define windows deployment services
Tip #2: Briefly describe how WDS functions
Sample Answer
WDS is a server role that offers the ability to remotely deploy Windows operating systems. It can be used to set up new computers in network-based installations so that each operating system doesn’t have to be installed.
4. What is the Advantage of Using RAID?
Here, the interviewer tests your understanding of data storage technology
Tip #1: Describe RAID by providing a clear definition
Tip #2: Explain the benefit of using RAID
Sample Answer
A RAID is a virtualization data storage technology that integrates multiple components of a physical disk drive into a single or several logical units. The advantage of using RAID is that it increases a system’s storage capacity, improves overall performance, and offers fault tolerance.
5. Define DHCP and Explain its Importance
Here, the interviewer wishes to test your understanding of the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.
Tip #1: Provide the meaning of DHCP
Tip #2: Briefly explain why DHCP is used
Sample Answer
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol or DHCP is a protocol that is used to automatically assign dynamic IP addresses to computers or other devices on a network. This means a device acquires a new IP address every time it’s connected to the network. The benefit of DHCP is that it reduces operation tasks such that a sysadmin doesn’t have to manually configure each device. Besides, the protocol optimizes the IP addressing plan meaning that unused addresses are made available to new devices or clients.
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6. What Three Attributes Make You a Great Systems Administrator
The interviewer wants to know whether you have values that match those of the company.
Tip #1: State three main attributes that make you the best
Tip #2: Make your answer prompt and precise
Sample Answer
I am curious and analytical. I always explore a problem to find out what really caused it. If the root cause of an issue is not identified and resolved, the problem will reoccur and hurt the business. Besides, I am a good communicator with the ability to share insights in jargon-free language.
7. Is it a Good Idea to Restore a DC that was Backed Up 7 Months Ago?
Your technical knowledge about DCs is under test here, and the interviewer seeks a candidate who is knowledgeable about DCs.
Tip #1: Provide a direct and clear answer
Tip #2: Support your answer by explaining it briefly
Sample Answer
Restoring a domain controller that was last backed up seven months ago is a bad idea. This is because lingering objects are likely to be encountered which will lead to inconsistent data. The general rule is that backup files shouldn’t be more than 180 days old.
8. Briefly Tell Us About Your Technical Background
The interviewer is looking for an individual with relevant certifications and experience.
Tip #1: State your qualifications that are relevant to the systems administrator role
Tip #2: Mention your experience
Sample Answer
I graduated four years ago with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. Besides, I have earned a CompTIA certification and also worked mainly in the area of server and PC installation. In my previous assignments, I have been esteemed for identifying faulty machines early on and providing lasting solutions.
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9. What Are You Proud of in Your Working with Endpoint Systems and Offering Support to Users?
Here, the interviewer wants to assess your user support skills and the ability to resolve users’ issues.
Tip #1: Think quickly about the experience you have had with users
Tip #2: Demonstrate your user support capabilities and ability to resolve users’ problems
Sample Answer
I am especially proud of being able to identify users’ problems and resolve them effectively using appropriate tools. My clients as well as the users I have supported have often referred their friends to me to help them resolve their computer issues. I always resolve issues without taking much of my client’s time.
10. What is an Active Directory?
The interviewer wants to assess your understanding of an active directory.
Tip #1: Provide the meaning of an active directory
Tip #2: Support your answer by briefly explaining how an active directory functions
Sample Answer
An active directory offers centralized control for network security and administration. It stores all settings and information in a central database and enables a system administrator to deploy and update software as well as assign policies. Server computers that are configured with an active directory are called domain controllers.
11. What is a Domain?
The interviewer is looking for an individual who is knowledgeable about domains and how they work
Tip #1: Provide the meaning of a domain
Tip #2: Ensure to be brief and precise
Sample Answer
A domain consists of a group of network objects that are organized logically and share the database of a single active directory. These objects include users, computers, and network devices among others.
12. Differentiate a Gateway from a Router
Here, the interviewer is interested in testing your ability to differential a router from a gateway
Tip #1: Provide the difference in a clear and precise manner
Tip #2: Make sure to be prompt and don’t mull over the answer
Sample Answer
Basically, a router is a layer-3 device that functions by forwarding data packets between networks. On the internet, a router directs traffic. On the other hand, a gateway is a network device that functions as an entrance to a network.
13. Which Port is Used to Perform a Ping Command?
The interviewer wants to assess your technical know-how regarding the ping command.
Tip #1: State the port that is utilized by the ping command
Tip #2: Demonstrate that you can use this command effectively
Sample Answer
The ping command utilized ICMP, which doesn’t use TCP or UDP communication services. In particular, it makes use of the ICMP echo packets and echo requests.
14. Explain the Proc File system
Here, the interviewer tests your familiarity with the Linux operating systems.
Tip #1: Describe the meaning of the proc filesystem
Tip #2: Let the interviewer know that you can use procfs
Sample Answer
The proc file system or procfs is a special file system in Linux operating systems that offer an interface to the kernel data structures. Although the majority of files in this file system are read-only, some are writable meaning that they permit kernel variables to be altered. Besides, procfs have a hierarchy of special files that reflect the kernel’s current state.
15. What do you Understand by Forests and Trees in System Administration?
The interviewer examines whether you are aware of trees and forests as used in networks.
Tip #1: Provide the meaning of trees and forests
Tip #2: Ensure to demonstrate how forests and trees are related
Sample Answer
A tree consists of a collection of one or several domains or domain trees that are found in a contiguous namespace, which is connected in a transitive trust hierarchy.
On the other hand, a forest refers to a tree collection, which shares a standard global catalog, directory configuration, logical structure, and directory schema.
16. What is the Difference between NTFS and FAT?
The interviewer evaluates your familiarity with FAT and NTFS.
Tip #1: Define FAT and NTFS
Tip #2: Provide a clear distinction between these two terms
Sample Answer
NTFS refers to the current file system utilized by Windows. This file system offers various features including security permissions, backup, and quotas so that one can fill up a disk.
FAT is an older file system developed by Microsoft that was chiefly used in Windows operating systems up to the XP version. FAT doesn’t offer most of the key features including security and back up that are provided by NTFS.
17. Differentiate an Antivirus from a Firewall
A sysadmin needs to be aware of tools such as a firewall and an antivirus, and that is precisely what the interviewer is testing here.
Tip #1: Define an antivirus and a firewall
Tip #2: Ensure to provide the difference between them
Sample Answer
An antivirus is a program that is designed to protect a computer from viruses. Once installed on a computer, an antivirus monitors the system continuously to identify any threat from the internet, external storage devices, or other sources.
A firewall consists of a program that protects a system from hackers, intruders, or outsiders. Attacks from these sources may be viruses or unauthorized access intended to steal or destroy sensitive and valuable information. Firewalls come either as software or hardware. A software firewall is installed on a computer while organizations install a hardware firewall to safeguard all their systems.
18. What do You Understand by VOIP?
A competent sysadmin needs to be familiar with internet protocol. That is what the interviewer wants to assess here.
Tip #1: Describe the meaning of VOIP
Tip #2: Provide the impression that you are well aware of this protocol
Sample Answer
VOIP is an acronym for Voice Over Internet Protocol. It is a category of software and hardware that helps people in using the internet as a medium of transmission for telephone calls. This is accomplished by forwarding data in packets through an IP instead of the traditional circuit transmissions.
19. Explain How a Tracert Works
Here, the interviewer tests your understanding of a tracert and how it functions
Tip #1: Define a tracert
Tip #2: Describe the functionality of a tracert
Sample Answer
Tracert or traceroute consists of a command-line tool that can be initiated using a prompt. It is used to track the path taken by IP packets to their destination. A Tracert command tracks a route by sending ICMP echo packets to a given destination. In the end, the command helps you determine where the chain of connection stops.
20. As an IT System Administrator, is Team Work Part of Your Typical Day?
The interviewer wants to know whether your daily work involves working with others.
Tip #1: Provide a relevant answer concerning your daily activities
Tip #2: Make sure that your answer is satisfactory
Sample Answer
As a sysadmin, I would often provide technical support to teams and end-users. This may involve software installation, technical troubleshooting, or other technical duties associated with the role. Thus, I would not be engaged directly in teamwork. However, I would work with teams occasionally in developing and explaining technological strategies.
Conclusion
Asking these interview questions for IT system administrators would enable an interviewer to assess candidates and determine their level of familiarity with system administration. Besides, these system admin questions will help to know the level of experience of every candidate. This understanding is very vital in identifying the best individual for the system administrator position.