Name some of the major changes in GPO in Windows Server 2008 r2

The following changes are available in Windows Server® 2008 R2 and in Windows® 7 with Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT):

·         Windows PowerShell Cmdlets for Group Policy: Ability to manage Group Policy from the Windows PowerShell? command line and to run PowerShell scripts during logon and startup

·         Group Policy Preferences: Additional types of preference items

·         Starter Group Policy Objects: Improvements to Starter GPOs

·         Administrative Template Functionality: Improved user interface

·         Administrative Template Settings: New and changed policy settings

What is the KCC?

The KCC(Knowledge Consistency Checker) is a built-in process that runs on all domain controllers and generates replication topology for the Active Directory forest. The KCC creates separate replication topologies depending on whether replication is occurring within a site (intrasite) or between sites (intersite). The KCC also dynamically adjusts the topology to accommodate new domain controllers, domain controllers moved to and from sites, changing costs and schedules, and domain controllers that are temporarily unavailable.

What is NETDOM?

NETDOM is a command-line tool that allows management of Windows domains and trust relationships. It is used for batch management of trusts, joining computers to domains, verifying trusts, and secure channels.

How do you view all the GCs in the forest?

C:\>repadmin /showreps
domain_controller 
OR 
You can use Replmon.exe for the same purpose. 
OR 
AD Sites and Services and nslookup gc._msdcs. 
To find the GC from the command line you can try using DSQUERY command. 
dsquery server -isgc to find all the gc's in the forest 
you can try dsquery server -forest -isgc.

How do you view replication properties for AD partitions and DCs?

By using replication monitor
go to start > run > type repadmin
go to start > run > type replmon