Can you define what rectifiers are and their function within a hardware design?
There are several different electronic components you need to incorporate into any hardware design. The Cisco interviewer will expect you to be familiar with all of these. You'll need to define what they are, how they function, and how they contribute to the overall design of a piece of equipment. You can prepare for the interview with Cisco by reviewing the list of components you normally incorporate into your designs and make sure you can address these three questions for each of them.
"Rectifiers are electronic components used to control the power within a piece of Cisco equipment. These are an important element of the design because they ensure that the power within the hardware is appropriate for the other components and remains consistent. This is especially important for hardware designs that use low amounts of power. Rectifiers can also convert AC power into DC power if required."
