- What kind server hardware you have worked with in the past?
Amazon Servers
Cisco switches and routers
- Do you know what redundancy is?
In terms of server hardware.
Redundancy means back up so if one server fails, breaks or powers down there is another server backing it up so the service isn’t lost.
- What redundant elements there can be in a server?
Networking redundancy, this is where the data is backed up in a different server in a different location.
Spanning tree protocol redundancy means that there is multi paths to the one location so if one link goes down the next best path is selected so the data doesn’t drop.
Redundant power systems, so a PSU (Power Supply Unit) can have a battery component (onboard) to it if the power is cut, it can still function.
As well a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) system that would kick in if there is power loss. This usually consists of a onsite generator system with a battery supply to support the initial power load.
- What is cold/hot swap?
Cold swapping of drives means that the entire server is powered down before being able to replace a failed drive. Examples of cold swapping would be changing a graphics card or a cpu.
Hot swapping means you can plug in or remove a device without powering down a server. Example of this would be a USB flash drive or an external hard drive.
- What is the difference between an SSD and an HDD?
Solid state drive (SSD) is a faster storage device that stores data on instantly accessible chips.
A Hard disk drive (HDD) is an old school and slower storage device that uses mechanical platters(disks) and a moving read/write head to write and read data.
- Do you know which type of connection drive storage use?
SATA
M2
PCie
and the legacy
SCSI (/ˈskʌzi/ SKUZ-ee)
PATA
- What is SATA (Serial ATA)?
SATA is a computer bus interface that connects host bus adapters to mass storage devices.
- Can you bend a SATA cable?
Yes they are able to bend and flex to meet most configurations. The connectors however are not ment to bend or flex.
- Do you know what a Backplane is?
Backplane is a type of motherboard carrying line cards to achieve custom functions.
- What kind of components can you connect to it?
PCi slots,
I/O cards
- Have you ever heard about degaussing a drive?
Degaussing is a way to ensure a hard drive erasure. It’s used to destroy drives by demagnetizing the drive to erase all the data.
- How would you check for hard drives errors?
Hit windows key and type cmd – then I would run chkdsk C: (or whatever the drive was called)
- Have you ever heard of the word SMART?
Self-monitoring analysis and reporting technology. This checks if the drive is failing. I’d use cystal disk info to check this.
Self Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology.
This checks if the drive is failing. I’d use crystal disk info to check this.
- What is PCI Express?
A high speed serial computer expansion bus standard. Up to 16 lanes
- What kind of devices can be connected to it?
Peripheral devices that use PCIe are:
Graphics cards,
Network interface cards,
Storage accelerator devices.
- Can you install a PCI card in a PCI Express slot?
Yes, but you’ll get limited speed.
- Do you know what types of memories there are?
Basically 2 kinds,
ROM AND RAM
ROOM stands for Red Only Memory, stays even after power loss.
And RAM, Random Access Memory – this is reset every time the pc/server restarts.
- Do you know what a DIMM is?
A DIMM is a Dual Inline Memory Module.
A RAM stick.
- Can you place RAM in both ways?
Or is the RAM slot specific
RAM is slot specific and can only insert them one way.
- Let’s say we have server with 16 DIMMs installed. We know that one (or more ) DIMM is faulty. What is the most effective way to find which one is bad?
EDAC (Error Detection and Correction) tool is where I would start. See what the output is saying on what errors each DIMM is putting out.
If a dim has 24 or more correctable errors in 24 hours I would replace it.
- Where is the memory controller located nowadays in a PC?
Usually on the base of a the CPU.
- Where was it before?
On the northbridge chip of the motherboard.
- Guide me through the process of replacing a CPU.
Power off the device.
Remove the casing.
Access the mother board and look for the socket set (square usually).
Access the spring pins on either side of it and remove, becareful to remove the correct spring pins first as to not damage any pins. Once this has been done, you should be able to access the CPU (look out for the arrow on the side to see which way to remove without bending pins).
Remove the CPU.
Assuming the motherboard is correct for the CPU , place the CPU into the socket following the correct sides to insert first (labeling on CPU and socket) , reattach the locking spring pins so the CPU is pushed down into position.
Appeal pea sized amount of thermal paste across the top of the CPU. Less is more.
Allow time to dry (10-15 minutes max).
Reapply casing.
- Is Thermal Paste mandatory?
Yes
